By Sarah Allen
Beginning at 7:30 a.m. this morning, attendees to the Nordic Barista Cup began to arrive to the Spikerboks, which is the awesome facility where this event is being held. It was chilly, but sunny, and you could feel the excitement in the air as old friends and new converged for what is one of the absolute best gatherings of the coffee community all year.
Here we are: you can't miss us!
None of this would be possible without the hep of the volunteers, I have to mention. The NBC has a really cool program, where they welcome baristas and coffee enthusiasts from around the world, as well as in the host country, to work at the event in exchange for the opportunity to participate. This year brings together volunteers from the United States, the U.K., and Norway. They’re so awesome!
We love you, NBC volunteers!
The Nordic Barista Cup is SOLD OUT!
They are expecting around 150 people to attend and participate in this three day event. While the NBC began as a competition for barista teams, it has evolved into an entire series of workshops and lectures accompanying the competition, which is why it continues to attract more and more coffee professionals from around the world. Truly the people assembled here this year are a most impressive group—primarily company owners. All are here to have fun, but have high expectations for some meaty education, as well. And they won’t be disappointed.
Here is one of the first faces attendees are seeing here: the lovely Bjørg Brend, one of the organizers of the NBC.
Ben (United States) and Charles (Sweden) catch up over bananas.
Colombia is the focus country this year, and we are lucky enough to have five baristas from Colombia here for the NBC. They have each been assigned to one of the Nordic teams, and will assist them throughout the competition. Emcees David and Jay have just kicked off the NBC 2010, o I’m going to hop offline and watch the lecture. First up is George Howell, who is lecturing the group about, what else, specialty coffee…
Team Iceland is ready to rock!