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!
SAM LEWONTIN
Company: Everyman Espresso
Number of years behind the bar: 14
Number of competitions: 6
NERBC 2011 – 7th
NERBC 2012 – 4th
USBC 2012 – I honestly can’t remember. 20-somethingth?
NERBC 2013 – 1st
USBC 2013 – 4th
NERBC 2015 – 1st
Coffee: Finca Los Alpes, El Salvador – Kenya variety separation
Milk: Stonyfield Farms whole milk
Signature Beverage:
Espresso (see above) – 3 extractions
Chrysanthemum flower syrup – 3/4oz.
Distilled white vinegar – 1.5g.
Grapefruit peel – muddled, expressed, and as garnish.
Secret Weapons: Hospitality
Playlist: TBD
Theme: Distilling the many complexities of coffee into simple, accessible service.
Total Practice Hours: 200+ so far this season.
Coach(es): I don’t know about coaches, per se, but lot of folks have contributed to this routine, all of whom you already know well:
Meister
J. Park Brannen
Jesse Kahn
Sam Penix
Tommy Gallagher
Erin McCarthy
Corey Reilly-Davis
Erika Vonie
Brian Gelletly
Anna Utevsky
…and probably many more besides, though I’m having trouble pulling more names out of my hat.
Fashion: I’ll tell you as soon as I’ve figured it out.
Social Medias: @coffeeandbikes (Twitter) / @coffeeplusbikes (Instagram)
