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Half Price Espresso At Sugar Brown's in Lubbock

Sugar Brown’s Coffee Shop in Lubbock is selling straight shots for half price from 5-10pm Monday through Friday.

They wanted you to know.

SCRBC Results!

It was a great time had by all. I was extremely happy to have seen the camaraderie that went on between the competitors. There was very little of the “I’m better than you” mindset, if any at all.

It was nice to put some faces to some names as well.

And now, the results of the SCAA 2007 South Central Regional Barista Competition, hosted by Cuvee Coffee and the Texas Restaurant Association’s 2007 Southwest Foodservice Expo in Dallas, TX.

3rd place: Jason Haeger – EspressoTrainer.com (right)
2nd place: Clancy Rose – Caffe Medici (left)
1st place: Patrick Pierce – Caffe Medici (center)

Way to go. We know Patrick will do us all proud and represent us well in the USBC in Minneapolis, May of 2008.

Here’s to more, and here’s to the beginning of the expansion of our market.

SCRBC Photo Pool can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/scrbc2007/
Michelle Campbell’s photos can be found: here

If you were there, and you took pictures, PLEASE join this group and add all of your SCRBC pictures. Everyone likes to see shots of their regional competition.

The SCRBC is still in need of Competitors and Volunteers

The SCRBC is still in need of Competitors and Volunteers, if you or someone you know is interested in competing or volunteering at the 2007 SCRBC, please direct them to the link posted below for a Registration Form.

Click on the following link to find the 2007 SCRBC Documents:
http://www.scaa.org/events_article.asp?article_id=109194678

I received this in a Barista Guild email today from Michelle Campbell.

If you were thinking about competing, but felt intimidated, or if you’d like to be a part of the competition but aren’t up to competing this year, there are still openings for you that need to be filled.

If you plan to come anyway, even if just to watch, you might consider becoming a part of the event.

JP's Java – Austin, TX

I just happened to be in Austin last weekend for a wedding, and figured we would check out JP’s.

Nestled away with very minimal parking on San Jacinto and Duvall, IIRC. Inside, there is lots of space. Tables, chairs, leather couches, a separate back room with more tables and leather couches, as well as a few pictures of some very interesting latte art hanging on the wall.

The story of the JP’s logo goes back to the 2012 conspiracy and its ties with the ending of the Mayan calendar, and you can read all about it by typing in “2012″ at Google.com, or by simply checking out the “our logo” page on the JP’s Java website.

They proudly use Zoka coffee, featuring the Paladino espresso blend. How do I know? There’s a piece of paper with some Zoka latte art on it, and a little blurb about tasting notes of the blend, the story of Zoka, and a mention of Jeff Babcock. It would appear that they are in love with their roaster. Not such a bad thing.

Behind the bar is a La Marzocco Swift grinder, a La Marzocco three group Linea, a Clover, and some other things I didn’t catch a good look at.

The menu was pretty basic, but not to the point of making a newcomer feel entirely stupid or out of the loop. There was a separate board devoted to Clover offerings. This is the good stuff.

One current CoE #5 winner. One past CoE #5 winner, and another past CoE (I don’t recall the standing) winner. As well as their house blend. The 12oz. cup was nearly $4. Heck yeah! Though, I think they could charge a little more for a couple of those. I honestly do.

Everything was done by the book. I didn’t get any milk drinks, but I did watch, and the milk looked to be, like I said, by the book. The espresso is done via the Swift. Incidentally, the Swift isn’t as consistent as many would have you believe. There is a technique to it… yes, even with an automatic dosing tamping grinder… you still have to know your espresso theory.

Definitely worth a visit if ever you’re in Austin (or if you happen to live there).

The much touted Caffe Medici was founded by a JP’s Java ex-employee, if that says anything.

Saxby's Coffee – opening soon in McKinney, and Hiring.

Dror Golan sent us an email to let us know that Saxby’s Coffee will be opening in the middle of July in McKinney, TX.

They are hiring for cashier and barista positions, for both full and part time.

It's less than two weeks away.

Ladies and Gentlemen.  Boys and Girls. 

The first EVER SCAA South Central Regional Barista Competition is coming.  It seems everyone is becoming very excited.

I am personally getting very nervous.  I just hope I have enough spare time to go around and meet with people.

The whole TXCP crew will be there (though I’m not sure about Reighlok.. he may or may not show up.  I haven’t heard from him).

If you live outside of Dallas, but still want to go, there is a thread for setting up carpools to make the trek which can be found here.

I know La Cimbali will be there, as will Cuvee, AAH!, and I’m sure at least a few other coffee or equipment companies, including Big Train, Blend Tec, Boyd Coffee, Bunn, Coffee Eiland, Dr. Smoothie, Espresso etc, ESI, Espresso RMI, Faema, Fresh Cup Magazine, Grindmaster, Kerry Food and Beverage(parent company of Da Vinci Gourmet), Monin Syrups, Torani, and Vita-Mix .

I THINK I understand that there will be a Clover 1s present, so if you’ve never seen one up close, this MIGHT be your chance.  (Very simple in function.. but brilliant in usability).

Those competing already know that Michelle Campbell will be there.

There is an entrance fee for spectators, and if you’re a non-member of the TRA, the rates are:
$15 per person until June 23, 2007.
On-site fee is $30 per person.

Driving Directions to the Convention Center are listed from every direction.  Click Here(PDF) .

A map, if you prefer, can be found on Google Maps.  Click Here(link to the map).

A list of suggested hotels (all three of them) can be found Here.

For those with a tighter budget, I suggest looking around the discount site of your choice and comparing difficulty of travel by either calling the hotel in question, or checking the Map linked to above.

I have no idea how the spectator seating will be set up, but I do know that the competition will be taking place at the Rising Star Stage. The top right hand side of the floorplan (flash) .

I hope to see a great turnout, as this is a huge step for Texas, as well as our surrounding neighbors sharing our region in the Specialty Coffee movement.

For more information, you can contact Mike McKim or Michelle Campbell via the official site.

New Forum Feature

I have added an “Announcements” forum.

This is a catch-all for announcements of all kind.  Be it a grand opening, re-opening, “free espresso Friday”, a sale, a 2-for-1, or even a local jam, get-together, cupping, tasting, or small-scale barista or latte art competitions.

All retailers, roasters, vendors, parts suppliers, consumers, etc.. are welcome to post their announcements.

Consider this a way to help promote specialty coffee.  It’s a way for businesses to get the word out to their potential customers.

I just thought I’d share.

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