Ultimate Barista Challenge

Ryan Dennhardt - Ultimate Barista 2006 & 2007

Ryan's career as a barista began in 2001 when his family opened Barista's Daily Grind in Kearney, Nebraska. Since then the stores have grown to include two corporate locations and five franchisees within the Midwestern States. As General Manager for the two family owned locations Ryan oversees all aspects of operations and as Corporate Trainer for all Barista's Daily Grind locations. He travels to each location regularly providing barista education and ensuring espresso quality standards are met.

Ryan's professional barista titles include three time national finalist, 2 time regional champion and of course, The Ultimate Barista USA. Ryan was featured as calibration competition barista for the 2005 World Barista Championship. Thus far, Ryan has traveled to Beijing & Shanghai China and several locations in the USA as one of only two, Ultimate Barista USA. Recently Ryan launched his own consulting company, High Road Training & Consulting. When not competing and managing his stores, he plays semiprofessional football, enjoys his free time and company of his dog.

Ryan was interviewed by The Gilded Fork. Listen to the Podcast here.

Ryan may be reached at rdennhardt@yahoo.com, or see his website: www.baristasdailygrind.com

Heather Perry - Ultimate Barista 2006 & 2007

Heather's career in coffee began at the early age of 10 as her father roasted beans. Today she holds the position as Director of Training and Consulting at Coffee Klatch Roasting located in San Dimas, California, where she participates in cupping, roasting and espresso blend development. The Belle Espresso Blend received high marks of 94 from noted coffee cupper Ken Davids.

Heather has been a competition barista since 2002 with her entry into the NABC. Heather's professional titles include 2 time championships (2007 & 2003)at the US National Championships and four time regional champion since 2004. Heather represented the USA in the World Barista Championship 2003 vying with 36 countries for Champion. She has also participated as a champion calibration barista in Costa Rica national championship and been featured in many magazines. Thus far, Heather has traveled to China and several locations in the USA as one of only two so far, Ultimate Barista USA. When not competing, Heather enjoys visiting with friends over coffee and living the good life in Southern California.

Heather may be reached at klatchconsulting@gmail.com, or see her website: http://klatchroasting.com/

Greg Suekoff
Caffe Pronto Coffee Roastery in Annapolis, Maryland
Barista Trainer
Professional USA Competitive Barista & Latte Art Competitor
2007 UBC USA Champion - Latte Art Challenge, New York City
Guest UBC Ultimate Barista at the 2007 UBC Korea in Seoul, South Korea in the Seoul Food Hotel Show
2008 UBC USA Champion - Espresso Cocktail Challenge, New York City

What started as a part time job in high school has turned into a life long obsession. I began by slinging coffee at a kiosk in a shopping mall over ten years ago. Since then I have been working in cafes in the Mid Atlantic region as well as in north Florida. The coffee business is dynamic, the more time I spend educating myself and sharpening my skills as a barista, the more I discover there is still much to learn. This is both exciting and humbling. I have competed the local free pour Latte art competitions making it to the finals in 2002. I received the Zen Master award in 2006 for creative drink recipes. I currently work at Caffe Pronto in Annapolis, Md. as a Retail Manager and Barista trainer.

Kelvin Huang - Ultimate Barista China 2007 - 2008

After graduated from University in 2002, I started my career as a sales manager at JASCAFFE China, working on sales of Coffee-making instrument and the coffee beans.

In 2003, the first ever China Barista Championship was held in China, I took a part in out of curiosity, and unexpectedly, I won the Second Place.

Since then my view to coffee has been changed. I started to learn about all theories and knowledge on coffee-making through all kinds of books, exhibitions etc. And finally I became the Champion in the China National Barista Championship 2005, and also participated in the International Barista Championship in Seattle, WA USA 2005. This journey has very much inspired me, helped me understand more about the trend of development on international coffee market.

When I got back to China, I went on with the coffee sales work and became Barista Consultant to a few coffee shops. And in 2006, I competed in the T&C World Cup Asia Latte Art Championship in Shanghai 2006 and won a second Championship of my life.

Right now I'm working on opening a BARISTA Coffee Training School which will formally start soon. My goal on this field is to give all cafes in China their best coffee makers they need, and ensure each single coffee consumer enjoys a cup of perfect coffee. I am also involved with E-Best Coffee at the Service Shanghai Service Co., Ltd.

Kyoung woo Kim
Team CIIC (Caffe Italiano in Corea)
Dynamic Trading Co, Ltd.
Former Bartender
2007 UBC Korea Champion - Espresso Cocktail Challenge
2008 Guest Ultimate Barista / UBC Korea for the Espresso Cocktail & Espresso Frappe Showcase event in New York City at the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York

Mike Love
Coffee Labs Roasters in Tarrytown, New York
Owner & Roaster
UBC Professional Barista 2007 - 2008
2008 UBC Champion - Latte Art Challenge New York City
Former Chef for 15 years.

I train all of my Baristi. I take great pride in the fostering the passion of the craft and skill. It also gives me a place to show off the passion I have as an Owner, Roaster, Barista. As an owner I have to know what makes everything tick in my shop. As a roaster the pursuit of quality coffee is my passion, always searching out the best beans, As a Barista I'm able to extract all of these attributes behind the bar. Enabling me to truly express the artistry in the specialty coffee industry. Therefor I feel that my skills as a Barista are more than worthy enough to challenge the Ultimate Baristi. The opportunity to participate in this event is an honor. As well as the importance to bring my staff and customers a win.

Ms. Sena Lee - Ultimate Barista Korea

Professional barista at FGF BonaSera in Seoul, South Korea. Champion in the 2007 UBC China Espresso Frappe Challenge in Shanghai at the FHC (Food & Hospitality China) show.

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