RULES OF THE GAME
Each barista competitor is allotted a total time of 45 minutes to begin and complete their presentation: 15 minutes for set-up; 15 minutes of performance time for the judges; and 15 minutes for clean-up of their station. During their 15-minute performance, baristas are judged by two technical judges, four sensory judges and one head judge. Baristas are required to make and serve four espressos, four cappuccinos and four signature drinks of their own creation during the 15-minute performance period. Creativity comes into play with the barista’s personal style, development of their signature drinks, music choice for background, and explanation of their coffee and techniques to the judges. Baristas are judged based on correct use of equipment, cleanliness and professionalism, and creativity. For more information on the rules, click here.

THE BASICS
The competition flow finds three competitors on stage at any given time: one is using his/her allotted 15 minutes of preparation time; one is performing for the judges; and one is cleaning up his/her station having completed the two pervious sections. Though competitors are primarily judges based on their performance during the 15 minutes of presentation time, they are evaluated for cleanliness and efficiency throughout.

In their 15 minutes of presentation, competitors are required to prepare and serve four espressos, four cappuccinos and four nonalcoholic signature beverages of their own creation. They serve to a table of four sensory judges and one head judges, in addition to being evaluated around their workstation by two technical judges, who keep track of shot times, cleanliness, attention to detail, and technique.

TIME
Preparation time: 15 minutes. Competitors will be asked to stop what they are doing (if they are still prepping) at the end of their allotted 15 minutes. They will be judged on cleanliness, organization and readiness of workstation.

Presentation time: 15 minutes. The following overtime penalties apply: one to 30 seconds overtime results in a five-point deduction; 31–60 seconds overtime results in a 10-point deduction; 61–90 seconds overtime results in a 15-point deduction; 91–120 seconds overtime results in a 20-point deduction. Competitors more than 120 seconds overtime will be disqualified.

Clean-up time: 15 minutes. If the station is determined to be unclean at the close of this section, the competitor must clean it again.

PERFORMANCE
Though competitors are allowed as much room for creativity as they desire in terms of signature drink ingredients, dialogue and background music during performance, and serving table adornment, they simply cannot win if their attention is not focused primarily on the quality of the espresso they prepare.
But a winner must be a strong and engaging performer, as well. Thus, they are also evaluated on appropriate apparel (as if at work in a professional café environment), ability to speak knowledgably about their coffee and signature drink, as well as what judges can expect from each drink (i.e. temperature, flavor profile, etc.); creativity, and general barista skills.

PRIZES
1st Place: $1000 plus airfare and hotel in Long Beach, California, to represent the Northwest Region at the 2006 United States Barista Championship in May 2007
2nd Place: $500
3rd Place: $250
The top six baristas will receive a comemerative NWRBC tamper, and all competing baristas will receive a special NWRBC Barista Apron and T-Shirt.

Downloads

Competitor Rules & Regulations

Head Judge Score Sheet

Judges Rules and Regulations

Sensory Score Sheet

Technical Score Sheet

more to come ...