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Issue link: http://freshcup.epubxp.com/i/43236
VICTORIAN STYLE: (clockwise from bottom left) Roaster-retailers like Caffe Fantastico and Discovery Coffee have elevated Victoria's coffee scene. Discovery's Katie Coughlin and Logan Gray took home the top prize at the inaugural International Pairs Invitational. perhaps the most noteworthy competition of the weekend was the International Pairs Invitational, a new event of his invention that made its debut at the show. Barber is a frequent attendee of barista competitions the world over; in addition to equipping the global barista commu- nity with tampers, he also designs trophies for the World Barista Championship and other competitions. In traveling to those events, Barber says he has grown fond of relaxed competitions such as latte art throwdowns that often take place in conjunction with the formal contests, and he sought to create something in that vein. "I wanted a competition where the masses could come and have fun, rather than being a professional competition where it means a lot to the winner to go through to win," he says. Here's how his Pairs Invitational creation works: A team of two—competing head-to-head against another pair—has 10 min- utes to dial in the grinder, then prepare and serve eight drinks: a pair of espressos, macchiatos, cappuccinos and lattes. A panel of three judges evaluates those finished drinks, but competitors have no say over the coffee and equipment they use. "It's the same coffee for all the machines," Barber says. "So it levels the playing field." In keeping with that spirit, audience participation is encouraged, as onlookers can cheer on their preferred team and heckle the other. Barber says the competition tests café-related strengths such as speed and teamwork, but it retains the "fun first" mantra of a latte art throwdown. "I like to think of this as a super throwdown," he says. The inaugural edition of the Pairs Invitational fit the bill of lighthearted fun, as several teams of two faced off on the com- petition floor while onlookers surrounded them, filling the air with both words of encouragement and heckled shouts. Taking home the first-ever Pairs prize was the hometown team from Discovery Coffee consisting of co-owner Logan Gray and barista continued on page 53 freshcup.com October 2011 51 COURTESY OF CAFFE FANTASTICO RICK FORGO COURTESY OF REG BARBER