Battle of the baristas in Hollywood

Coffee connoisseurs can watch the most skilled baristas in the Southwest compete this weekend for a chance to go to the 2011 U.S. Barista Championship.

The Southwest Regional Barista Competition hosts 40 competitors from seven states, who will pull their best espressos Friday and Saturday for a chance to be one of six finalists Sunday who are invited to compete nationally. Each barista has 15 minutes to prepare and serve three coffee courses to a panel of judges. They will be scored based on procedure, consistency, cleanliness, technical expertise, and, of course, taste.

All of the slots to participate this year have been filled, but 1,600 spectators (twice as many as last year) are expected to attend the event, which is sponsored by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.  Free coffee will be available to all at the brew bar, and gourmet food trucks including Buttermilk Truck, Manila Machine, Hungry Nomad and Sweets Truck will be on hand to sell their creations.  A food truck schedule is available on the website so you can be first in line when your favorite arrives.

The competition will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The final round opens at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, and awards will be given from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Check the full schedule of events for details. The event will be held indoors at Siren Studios, 6063 W. Sunset Ave., Hollywood. Parking will be available in an adjacent lot, but is limited.  The event is just a short walk from the Hollywood/Vine station of Metro’s Red Line, so you may want to plan to arrive by subway.

Free after parties with live music will be announced at the competition if you want to continue the celebration after the grinding has stopped. The after parties benefit MusiCares, which provides assistance and resources to musicians in times of need or crisis.

If you want to see what to expect from a top-flight barista, watch this video of World Barista Champion Tim Varney describing the craft.

Posted 3/3/11