12th Jun 2012 - 00:00
Abstract
The Speciality Coffee Association of Europe’s (SCAE) World of Coffee event has opened today (June 12th) in Vienna, Austria.
It starts with the SCAE 'Business of Coffee' Conference which focuses on the business side of the industry, looking at trends in the industry throughout the world, predictions about the market plus news from specific sectors and case studies from some of the high profile players in the business. The schedule of speakers includes Karsten Ranitzsch, of Nestle´-Nespresso S.A.; Lindsey Bolger of Keurig (K-Cups); Steven Gojak, Cleveland Research; John Jones of Pro-Intal Research Company; Gavin MacLennan and Fritz Storm, Starwood, (consultant to Meridien and W Hotels), Paul Stack, Marco Beverages and Luis Samper, Colombian Coffee Growers Federation. Today also sees the start of the world barista championships, a competition which climaxes on Friday. The competitions featured this year include: World Barista Championship, World Brewers Cup, World Cup Tasters Championship, and the Cezve/Ibrik Championship. The event also sees the debut of the World Coffee Roasting Challenge, a competitive event designed to feature the talent and skill of the dedicated men and women involved in the artisanal craft of roasting specialty coffee. Competitors in the new three-stage event will be judged on their performance evaluating the quality of green coffee (coffee grading), developing a roasting profile that best accentuates the desirable characteristics of that coffee, and on the ultimate cup quality of coffees roasted. Tomorrow (Wednesday, June 13th) th World of Coffee event hosts the 'New Product' of the Show Awards, which is open to all exhibitors at the show. New this year is a feature called Tamper Tantrum, a coffee forum run by Steve Leighton and Colin Harmon. It aims to spread ideas and knowledge through a series of talks by guest presenters in front of a live audience. Also running from June 13th-15th is a series of 20 different professional coffee workshops.