The current Northeast Espresso Competition took Harmony, N.H., by storm.
BY MADELINE JONES
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Images courtesy of Northeast Espresso Competition and Sarah Fleming for Random Acts of Candid
Small cities in central New England may not be the primary place that involves thoughts whenever you consider wonderful espresso, however a regional competition based mostly in New Hampshire is working onerous to alter your thoughts.
Behind the Fest
Specialty espresso has been well-established within the area for greater than 20 years, with roasters ranging in measurement from micro-roasters like East Alstead Roasting Firm (from, you guessed it, East Alstead)– and Outerlands Espresso, (Salisbury N.H.), to mid-sized and bigger roasters like Wayfarer Espresso Roasters (Laconia) and Uncommon Breed Espresso (Nashua & Manchester). The entire size of the area, reaching as far south as Snowy Owl (Sandwich, Mass.) and MEM Tea (Boston), was represented on the Northeast Espresso Competition (NECF) in Harmony, N.H., earlier this month.
Love and energy have been poured into the occasion, now three years operating. NECF is the brainchild of Wayfarer Espresso Roasters’ founder and CEO, Karen Bassett. Karen says of the competition’s inception, “We all know that espresso is so pivotal in connecting people who we determined to discover a solution to create a hybrid occasion to attach espresso professionals with espresso customers.“ She provides, “When the primary competition drew 3,000 folks, we knew we had been onto one thing.”
Gathering in Harmony
Whereas the primary two incarnations of the competition befell within the historic metropolis of Laconia, this 12 months co-hosts Revelstoke Espresso took the reins in introducing the competition to the capital metropolis of Harmony, only a few blocks from the state home. Assist from the native espresso scene was important to creating the third NECF an amazing success. Karen says that in partnering with Revelstoke they “expanded the tutorial programming, out of doors market, and stay music to 2 full days, and doubled our instructional classes—40-plus classes!—to offer better worth to our move holders, drawing 6,000+ folks to the competition over the 2 days.”
Inside Northeast Espresso Competition
The competition included a various assortment of occasions, together with panels with visitor audio system from importers like Arango Specialty Espresso, Covoya, and JNP Espresso, in addition to coffee-adjacent Third Wave Water and others.
A public Neighborhood Market crammed a two-block portion of South Major Road in Harmony. Purveyors included ceramicists, tea sellers, espresso roasters and cafés, and a plethora of meals vehicles, such because the Mobl Nobl. Dwell music from native artists gave attendees the chance to bop off their over-caffeination.
Instructive Espresso Workshops
One of many highlights from the competition for all-access move holders was the workshop collection hosted by the Capitol Heart for the Arts Financial institution of NH Stage. The collection lined espresso (with Madeline from Uncommon Breed Espresso), milk steaming and latte artwork (with Christian from Pressed Cafe + George Howell), plus an intro to “Machine Whispering” from Certain Shot Espresso Service. Specialty tea preparation was additionally lined by Margaret Homosexual from 27 Teas and Meg Tartasky from MEM Tea. The workshops crammed the minds {of professional} baristas, espresso aficionados, and newcomers alike with broad and deep details about espresso, espresso machines, and tea.
Cupping Alternatives
Cupping was additionally a major a part of the programming, curated by Emeran Langmaid of Uncommon Breed Espresso. Competition goers had been uncovered to quite a lot of origins, processing strategies, and varieties.
Particular visitor Double J of the mini-docuseries Espresso Breath was additionally in attendance, internet hosting screenings on each days of the competition.
After the competition, Double J shared with Barista Journal, “It was wonderful to see a lot enthusiasm for specialty espresso from the New England residents and baristas. The Espresso Breath screenings had been successful and there was quite a lot of engagement and enthusiasm concerning the present!”
Latte Artwork Throwdown
After all, no espresso occasion is full with no latte artwork throwdown. A number of unbiased baristas in addition to skilled latte-throwers competed for prizes together with Baratza grinders, a full Chemex set, and merchandise from extra sponsors. All through the occasion, Alex (co-owner of Revelstoke) tossed La Marzocco T-shirts into the viewers.
Karen thanked the tools suppliers particularly, saying, “We’re so grateful to be partnering with firms together with La Marzocco and FETCO for the tools.”
Why Not DIY?
Pondering of getting your personal native competition off the bottom? Karen provides this recommendation: “Ask for assist. Know your strengths and usher in companions who can fill these gaps and join you to people who find themselves outdoors your community. Give attention to connecting together with your area people for sponsorships. Construct in alternatives to attach with those that are investing their time and assets to help your occasion.” And, she added, “Have enjoyable!”
NECF has already been requested to return to Harmony subsequent 12 months, Might 2-3; comply with them on Instagram for extra pictures and particulars to come back.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Madeline Jones (she/her) has labored in specialty espresso for over eight years, managing cafés, wholesale accounts, barista coaching, and extra. When she isn’t sipping on some ’spro, she might be spending time along with her cat or making gin martinis (additional olives, please.) That is her first article for Barista Journal.
Subscribe and Extra!
Out now: It’s the April + Might 2024 difficulty of Barista Journal! Learn it without cost with our digital version. And for greater than three years’ price of points, go to our digital version archives right here.
You possibly can order a tough copy of the journal via our on-line retailer right here, or begin a subscription for one 12 months or two.
