Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition

LONG BEACH, Calif., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Baristas, those talented
people who master espresso machines and make coffee and espresso-drink making a profession, will compete in the Specialty Coffee Association of America's
(SCAA) Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition, Oct. 2 - 3, 2004 at the Fox &
Obel Food Market, 401. E. Illinois St., Chicago. The contest is the first
stop for local baristas in a nationwide competition leading up to SCAA's 2005
United States Barista Championship in Seattle, March 2005. The Great Lakes
Regional is open to all baristas from Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan
and Ohio. The event is open to the public. Event times: Saturday, Oct. 2,
11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. This year's annual
Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition is hosted by Chicago-based
Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea, Inc. (http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com).

According to Marcus Boni, Vice President of Retail, Intelligentsia Coffee
& Tea, "The United States Barista Championship was developed to promote the
significance of craftsmanship and highlight exceptional talent in the barista
profession. The first annual Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition
provides a venue for baristas from Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and
Ohio to showcase their abilities and demonstrate their passion for superior
quality espresso drinks."

The competition encourages and recognizes the professional achievement in
the art and skill of espresso beverage preparation and service. Contestants
will dazzle judges with top-quality drink preparation and service. Each
challenger will prepare one espresso, one cappuccino and one specialty coffee
drink for each of the four judges in a 15-minute window.

Ted Lingle, executive director of SCAA, said that more than 32% of U.S.
adults regularly purchase coffee at a coffeehouse, where baristas call home.
"With so many Americans purchasing their desired beverage at local
coffeehouses, they've helped elevate and showcase the profession of being a
barista in America. Today there are an estimated 150,000 baristas in the
U.S.," said Lingle.

The winner of the Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition will go on to
compete in the Specialty Coffee Association of America's United States Barista
Championship, March 2005. During the competition, baristas from across the
country will create some of the world's finest coffee concoctions while vying
for the coveted title.

To participate, baristas may contact Michelle Campbell, 562-624-4100,
mcampbell@scaa.org.

About the SCAA

Founded in 1982, SCAA is the world's largest coffee trade association with
over 2,800 member companies. SCAA members are located in over 40 countries
and represent every segment of the specialty coffee industry, from coffee
growers to coffee roasters and retailers. The SCAA's mission is to be the
recognized authority on specialty coffee, providing a common forum for the
development and promotion of coffee excellence and sustainability. The SCAA's
dedication to excellence in coffee is realized through the setting of quality
standards for the industry; conducting research on coffee, equipment and
perfection of craft; and providing education, training, resources and business
services for members. The SCAA's annual conference is held in a different
U.S. city each year and is the coffee industry's largest gathering and
exhibition.


SOURCE Specialty Coffee Association of America
Web Site: http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com