SprudgeLive’s coverage of the 2015 United States Barista Championship is made possible by direct support from Nuova Simonelli, Cafe Imports, and Bonavita. All of SprudgeLive’s 2015 barista competition coverage is underwritten in partnership with Square and Urnex Brands.
We’re proud to serve as official media partners of the Specialty Coffee Association of America, who produce these extraordinary events.
We reached out to each of the 2015 US Barista Championship competitors prior to their routines, to learn a bit more about them as competitors and coffee pros. We hope you enjoy these interviews!
HADASSAH WILSON
Company: Square One Coffee
Number of years behind the bar: 6
Number of competitions: 3
Big East 2014 5th place
USBC 2014 10th place
Big East 2015 2nd place
Coffee: Brazil Santa Lucia
Milk: TBD
Signature Beverage: Coffee Caipirinha
•6 shots of Santa Lucia
•12g of a homemade caramel sauce
•8g of a bittersweet apple tea that I created by steeping the peels of one Granny Smith apple in 3 ounces of hot water for 2 hours, then adding .5g of malic acid.
•Chilled while with 1 ice cube and then served over ice.
Secret Weapons: My team of Stephanie bennett, Jessica Steffy, Sarah Shirk, and Cameo Lengeman.
Playlist:
1. Green Onions – Booker T. & The MG’s
2. Sticks and Stones- Ray Charles
3. Respect- Norma Fraser
4. A minha Menina- Os Mutantes
5. No Caminho Do Bem- Tim Maia
6. Lovely Day- Bill Withers
7. Got the feelin’- James Brown
Theme: My theme is mostly about stereotypes and how easy it is to make decisions without really giving individual coffees (or people) a chance. It’s also a plea to coffee professionals and consumers alike to believe in brazil and the beautiful coffee that can and will come from the producers of brazil.
Total Practice Hours: My entire life has lead up to this moment.
Coach(es): Jess Steffy is the leading lady when it comes to coaching me. She’s been amazing and is truly the best coach I could have ever asked for. For objective outside perspective I’ve also had some coaching from Pete Licata and Holly Bastin of Licata Coffee Consultants, the Cafe Imports team, and Jacque DesMarais.
Fashion: J. Crew (outlet) and some Timberland shoes (again, clearance outlet. My girl knows how to get a deal).
Trivia: I live in Lancaster, PA with my babylove, Stephanie Bennett, and our four furry creatures- Murphy (old English sheepdog age 6y), Stowe (Alaskan Malamute age 6m), Bailey (orange cat age 16y), and Briggs (crazy cat age 1.5y).
I enjoy singing and recording ridiculous pop song covers for my friends amusement. I come from a large, loud, and slightly (or very) crazy family. I like people. I think Netflix is the best and worst thing. I have the greatest job. Ever. Give me a dance floor and I will inevitably get low (morning after = unhappy knees) in a not so graceful or pretty fashion. Sometimes I get fired up about injustices and I write stuff. I love to laugh. Ok cool.
Social Medias: Hadassahedith
