The sky is a little overcast here and the temperatures are a little cool, but it’s dry today at El Capitan Canyon just north of Santa Barbara, Calif., home of the Barista Guild of America’s Camp Pull-A-Shot as the first full day gets underway.
Last night everyone arrived, and we were treated to beer poured through a tricked-out La Marzocco GS3. Then we had dinner and were introduced to all 12 teams (which the baristas were randomly assigned to prior to arrival.) The teams then competed in coffee-themed versions of The Price is Right and Jeopardy. Socializing and good times around the campfire followed.
This morning, though, it’s all serious. Well, this is still Barista Camp, so technically there’s still a lot of fun to be had, but classes are underway. Chris Baca and Trevor Corlett a teaching Introduction to Espresso, while Trish Rothgeb is teaching Sensory Skills and Noah Namowicz is giving a crash
course in the story of coffee production in his Seed to Cup course.
Is that not enough educational opportunities for you? Well, there’s also course work in testing and proctoring too. And hey, did I mention it’s only the first day?
