The Ultimate Barista Challenge - A Timed Gourmet Espresso Competition

PHOTO GALLERY
See a photo gallery of UBC creators Sherri and Danny Johns at coffee events around the world!

Sherri Johns has 30 years in the specialty coffee industry and began her career as a barista in San Francisco in 1976. She was recognized as Champion Barista in SF 1982, 1983 and 1985. As owner/operator/chef of The Blue Note Cafe in San Francisco, she was recognized as serving the best cappuccino in North America by Travel & Leisure Magazine in 1987. In 1990, Sherri joined Starbucks Coffee, for five years, facilitating the opening of 20 stores as the companyÕs trainer and coffee specialist. At Allegro Coffee, Sherri shaped the coffee training program and coordinated the Whole Foods Markets in-store coffee roasting and espresso bar program. Sherri has lived and worked abroad primarily in Southeast Asia and South and Central America opening cafes and providing barista and coffee education for the private and public sector.

Sherri was instrumental in introducing and developing the current Barista Championship format and co-authored judging criteria and rules and regulations for both in the US and for the World Barista Championships. In 2004/5, she was one of three Judges Certification Committee members to write, define and facilitate the WBC Judges training and certifications for the World Barista Championship. She coordinated the USBC and WBC in Boston and Miami at the SCAA Conference, provided judges training in Trieste, Boston and Seattle. Mrs. Johns is both USBC and WBC certified judge.

Check Out Sherri's Book, "Coffee Cafe", available at Barnes and Noble

As an author and photographer, Sherri is a regular columnist and feature writer for, Hospitality News Fg/Coffee Talk, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal Asia, Saveur Magazine, Fresh Cup Magazine and a contributing writer to trade journals and international magazines. She is published in book, How to Achieve Success in Specialty Coffee and photographer in The Great Coffee Book by Tim Castle. SherriÕs includes educational brochures, marketing and training materials, technical standards, company newsletters and travel accounts of coffee producing and consuming nations. SherriÕs first solo book, Coffee Cafe, published by New Holland, has just been released in the UK, October 2005 and will be released in the US by Barnes and Noble, 2006. Sherri was featured in these documentaries on coffee; produced by the Canadian Film Board titled Java Jive, a BBC documentary on Starbucks, titled Profile Howard Schultz, a coffee correspondent for Australian Broadcasting Corporation and featured on the CBS Food Network June 2004 and again in December 2004 Sherri shared her knowledge and genuine enthusiasm for coffee.

Sherri is an astute coffee cupper as noted by her placement as Head Judge for the esteemed Cup of Excellence program. As assistant to George Howell in Brazil 2002, then Head Judge for 2005 Cup of Excellence programs in Honduras, Colombia and El Salvador in 2006.

Danny Johns brings his professional teaching background to coffee education. His ability to communicate to all levels of espresso enthusiasts, beginning barista to the advanced professional is evident in his sharing passion.

Danny is a former professional barista where he was the in house Coffee Specialist at the retail location where he worked. He has written training materials and published many press releases related to coffee and barista excellence. His ability to speak to the public and entertain while delivering coffee knowledge is well known as he was the invited Master of Ceremonies at several World Barista Championships,(2001 Ð 2004). He has been instrumental in the implementation of barista championships internationally as well as in the USA producing the first ever regional and national competitions. Mr. Johns is a WBC and Tea & Coffee World Cup certified judge.

Together, Danny and Sherri Johns operate BEST Coffee School, a comprehensive barista training program that focuses on everything from pulling the perfect shot, to choosing the perfect espresso machin, and getting your business of the ground. Learn more at bestcoffeeschool.com.

Upcoming Classes:
August 23 - 27
October 18 - 22

Both Danny and Sherri volunteer with Coffee Corps, US Aid and Specialty Coffee Association of America. Sherri was a member of the Training Committee, formally US Barista Championship Committee, 1999 / 2000 SCAA Board Member and former World Barista Championship International Coordinator and WBC Judges Coordinator for the Americas and Danny as Espresso Training Lab Instructor, Cupping Lab assistant and various support positions.

Sherri and Danny are partners in WholeCup Coffee Consulting located in Portland, Oregon, USA. They specialize in international barista training, specialty retail concept development and producing coffee special events including competitions and barista jams for professionals in the industry, other trades and consumers. WholeCup facilitates Baristas Without Borders, an international barista exchange program designed for baristi to share espresso expertise globally. Thus far, they have been to more than 20 countries to provide specialty coffee services.

See a photo gallery of UBC creators Sherri and Danni Johns at coffee events around the world!

Projects of Note:

Judge at the "Torani Cup" Barista Championships from 1998 - 2000
Assistant Head Judge with George Howell in 2002 Cup of Excellence Brasil.
Created and Trademarked the 1st Dueling Barista competition format with the Ultimate Barista Challenge in 2005
Cup of Excellence, Head Judge, August 2005, Colombia & Honduras May 2005,
Cup of Excellence, Head Judge, 2006, El Salvador
Cup of Excellence, Head Judge, 2006 Colombia
Cup of Excellence, Head Judge, 2007 - 2008, Honduras
Cup of Excellence, Head Judge, 2008 Nicaragua
Opened retail specialty coffee cafes in Sao Paulo, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and numerous cities in the US.
Provided coffee and barista training for Specialty Coffee Associations of Costa Rica, Brazil Specialty Coffee Association, Specialty Coffee Association of America, Hawaii Coffee Association and the Canadian Barista & Coffee Academy, plus several independent coffee shops, cafes and private organizations worldwide.
Creators and Coordinators of the 1st ever USA Barista Championships (NABC 2002, Anaheim, CA & USBC 2003, Boston, MA) at the SCAA Conferences. Also coordinated regional barista competitions in Long Beach, CA, Kansas City, MO, Portland, OR, and Kauai & Kona Islands USA during 2002 - 2006. Assisted with the WBC in Miami, FL 2001, 2003, 2005 at the SCAA Conference, 2002 Norway and 2004 Italy at SCAE Conference.
Created/coordinated the first USA Barista Jams (Northwest Barista Jams 2003 - 2004) in Seattle, WA and this event was featured on the CBS Food Network "What's Hot & What's Cool" in June 2004
Coordinated International Barista Championships/Competitions (2002 - 2007) in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong, South Korea, Costa Rica, Shanghai and Canada. Invited judges and/or coordinator assistance in Hong Kong, Mexico, Lebanon, Norway, Italy, Switzerland, the Russian Federation and Tokyo, Japan.
Created & Coordinated the 2005 - 2006 Hawaii Coffee Association's 1st ever Barista Jam on Kauai and Kona Islands
2006 - 2010 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Cupping Competition Judge
2006 - 2007 Kona Signature Cup barista event co-coordinator and Head Judge
The Ultimate Barista Challenge China, September 2006 - 2010 FHC Show in Shanghai, Pudong China
The Ultimate Barista Challenge Korea at the Seoul Food Hotel 2007 in South Korea, April 24 - 27, 2007 & May 14 - 16 & 2008 at The 5th Food & Tableware Festival Seoul.
The Ultimate Barista Challenge China at the FHC in Beijing, China from 2007 - 2011
2008 - 2009 Ultimate Barista Challenge USA/AMERICAS in New York City - New York, Houston - Texas, Los Angeles - California & Orlando - Florida.
Cup of Excellence, Head Judge, 2009 Bolivia
Cup of Excellence, Head Judge, 2009 Guatemala