From March 5-8, the Oregon Convention Center in Portland is hosting the United States Barista Championship. Leading up to the USBC, Food GPS is showcasing baristas who placed in the Top 6 in their respective region and decided to compete for greater glory. Here’s a contender for the American coffee crown:

Devin Pedde
Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea - Los Angeles, CA
Western Regional Barista Competition Finalist

1. Did anything surprise you about the WRBC?
I was very impressed with the performances of the first time competitors.
People were looking very polished and smooth…not an easy thing to do. I
certainly wasn’t that put together my first time competing. It was great
to see first timers Renee Teichen and Sara Peterson get to the finals. They both did such a great job.

2. Will adjust your approach for the United States Barista Championship? If so, how?
I’m not looking to change too much about it. My coffee is great and I’m
excited about sharing it with the judges again. There may be a few tricks
up my sleeve, but I’ll be keeping those under wraps.

3. What is your goal at the USBC?
To present a delicious coffee, hopefully make the finals, have fun and hang out with friends.

4. What did you learn by competing at the WRBC?
Learning how to relax a bit while competing was a big one for me. It makes
the whole thing so much more enjoyable if you aren’t worried about it. Competition is always a rude awakening to the things that you aren’t so
good at. I learned A LOT of those things. Time to practice!

5. What’s your training schedule like until the USBC?
I’m pretty busy at the coffee bar so as usual the trainings fall in whenever possible. Many late nights and early mornings are in the future.

6. What’s a coffeehouse you didn’t know about before the WRBC that you now plan to visit?
I’d like to visit the Abbey Coffee Lounge in Santa Cruz. Sara Peterson
(WRBC Finalist) works there and I’ve heard good things. Everyone from
there I met was very sweet and they use Verve coffee which is always a
good thing.

7. What’s your approach in choosing the music that plays during your performance?
My approach? Well…in the past it has always been last minute decisions.
You need music that will keep people interested throughout. The crowd
can’t give you a score, but it is a factor for sure. I’ve got a few tracks
in mind. I’m keeping them a secret until Portland.

Related Posts

1. USBC Competitor Ryan Willbur (Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea)
2. USBC Competitor Jesse Crouse (Intelligentsia)
3. USBC Competitor Michael Phillips (Intelligentsia)
4. USBC Competitor Robbie Britt (Zoka Coffee Roaster)
5. USBC Competitor Trevor Corlett (MadCap Coffee)

1. Pingback: USBC Finalists « Phoenixer’s Weblog on March 8, 2009
2. Pingback: More coffee talk « OUT TO SEE on March 10, 2009

This entry is filed under Baristas, USBC 2009.