News

Chicago hosting 'Battle of the Baristas'

August 20, 2016

This year’s most intricately designed cups of coffee in America will be poured today in the Windy City when Gloria Jean’s Coffees hosts the "Battle of the Baristas."

The competitions start at 1 p.m. at the Chicago Ridge Mall shop (221 Chicago Ridge Mall, Chicago Ridge, Illinois) where guests are encouraged to stop by for the ultimate coffee break. Coffee lovers will be watching the finalists compete for two titles: best barista and best latte artist, according to a company press release.

"The leadership team here at Gloria Jean's Coffees is extremely excited and proud," said Martin Balcaitis, director of marketing at Gloria Jean’s Coffees. "This event is our way of giving back to our employees and fans – it's a prime example of the great care we take in honoring our staff, their talent and the quality of our handmade drinks. This 'Battle of the Baristas' event reminds our loyal followers and hardworking employees that we aren’t your average coffee shop."

Submissions poured in from all corners of the country, from individuals who had first participated in earlier rounds of competitions, but it has all boiled down to three finalists from the Chicagoland area and one from Appleton, Wisconsin, according to the release.

A panel of expert judges, which includes a former barista champion among other brewing veterans, will judge the finalists based on specific criteria, including timed shots, proper steaming technique and other skills, while the latte artists will aim to wow the judges by creating works of art out of cream, foam and concentrated grounds. Artwork includes intricate designs that are typically found on a canvas rather than liquid surfaces, according to the release.

The winners will be flown to Australia to represent the United States in the international competition in September.