A return visit with Mama Mocha’s Coffee Roastery as we preview Auburn’s first ever Barista Throwdown. Just click on the button below to listen or check us out on iTunes!
You don’t have to spend much time with Sarah Barnett of Mama Mocha’s Coffee Roastery to come to the conclusion that she’s competitive. It’s hardly surprising, that’s a common quality in many entrepreneurs. Sarah’s competitiveness, though, isn’t the win at any cost variety. Rather, Sarah carries around an attitude of, “Let’s race to the top of the hill. One of us will get there first, but we’ll both enjoy the view!”
With that in mind, it’s also not surprising that Auburn’s first ever Barista Throwdown, sponsored by Mama Mocha’s Coffee Roastery, is not only all about who is best, but about raising the level of craft for coffee shops throughout the area. On August 19th, the local folks who make your lattes and cappuccinos will gather at The Gnu’s Room in the Shops @ Southside to test their skill against one another. Baristas will be judged on the quality of their drinks and their presentation. Also, in a uniquely Sarah twist, they will be further judged on a music playlist of their own choosing to accompany them as they work.
In addition to the Throwdown, there will be a wine tasting courtesy of Fine Wine and Beer by Gus and books and bags of coffee will be on sale. It promises to be a great event to send summer out with a bang and begin to usher in the fall and the return of students, faculty, and staff from the long break. In fact, when I was in Bloomington, Indiana this past week and mentioned to several friends this was happening, the response was universal. “That sounds so cool. Why don’t we have that?”
Well, probably because you don’t have Sarah Barnett and Mama Mocha’s Coffee Roastery.
Mama Mocha’s Coffee Roastery’s Barista Throwdown happens in The Gnu’s Room (414 S. Gay St.) in the Shops @ Southside on Thursday, August 19th beginning at 6 p.m. Admission is free.
– Kelly Walker
