The 2nd Annual Ultimate Barista Challenge USA in NYC creates a Stir at the 2008 International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York!

Portland, Oregon, USA - The Ultimate Barista Challenge USA of Latte Art, Espresso Frappe, Espresso Cocktail and Best of Brew Challenges made it's presence known at the 15th annual 2008 International Restaurant and Foodservice Show of New York. Through March 9th to March 11th, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, Baristi Challengers from NY and beyond, matched their coffee artistry against one another in a unique dueling coffee competition earning cash prizes and the right to challenge the nation's top "Ultimate Baristi", Heather Perry, Ryan Dennhardt or Greg Suekoff. This no holds barred espresso & brewed coffee competition where taste, talent and speed earn high marks with discerning UBC Tasting and Technical judges.

UBC founder and Emcee Danny Johns of WholeCup Coffee Consulting, LLC presided over the Ultimate Barista Challenge USA with lively commentary and introductions as more than 18,000 attendees enjoyed the show and cheered for their favorite barista. Exclusive UBC Sponsor's products and equipment were demonstrated for audience members to enjoy tasting and to witness Ultimate Barista prepare their creative tasty coffee concoctions.

Robert Nelson, President and CEO of the National Coffee Association commented, "The NCA supports The Ultimate Barista Challenge because it is the type of event that showcases the creative spirit and passion of the industry in a professional atmosphere in our continuing effort to grow the industry." Ron Mathews, Event Director for Reed Exhibitions says "The UBC brings excitement to the show floor where we offer pastry and chef competitions."

Esteemed UBC Judges included Fernanda Mazzuco, Director of the Brazil Barista Championship Association and NY resident, Chef Colin Alvares of The Tasting Room & Restaurant in NYC, Sae bom Hong, Director of UBC Korea, Gary Horne, National Sales Director Astoria / CMA GEEC and Sherri Johns, UBC Head Judge, co founder of the UBC and President of Whole Cup Coffee Consulting LLC. UBC Judges found themselves drinking great espresso with a wide variety of alcohol, frappes & latte art! This year's UBC event brought 18 baristi from San Dimas, CA, Kearney, Nebraska, Annapolis, Maryland, Tarrytown, NY, New York City, NY and even Seoul, South Korea!

This year's winning UBC Ultimate Barista, Ryan Dennhardt fended off 2 of 3 determined challengers. Greg Suekoff of Caffe Pronto Coffee Roastery, last year's UBC Latte Art Champion, challenged Ryan to a final confrontation at the Espresso Cocktail Finals and defeated him with a drink called Jin-chai! With ingredients like Fresh pureed ginger root simple syrup, Ice, Goslings black seal rum, Club soda, Caffe Vincente Espresso, Candied ginger and a stalk of peeled fresh ginger for aroma was too good to pass by! Ultimate Barista USA Heather Perry and Ultimate Barista Korea Kyoung woo Kim paired off for Challenges in Espresso Frappe & Espresso Cocktail Showcases. East vs. West! Congratulations to our new UBC Latte Art Champion NYC Mike Love of Coffee Labs Roasters in Tarrytown, NY!

SPONSORS: The Ultimate Barista Challenge USA Exclusive UBC Espresso Machine Sponsor is GEEC / General Espresso Equipment Corp., Exclusive UBC Coffee Brewers and Grinders by BUNN-O-Matic Corporation, Exclusive UBC Syrup and Flavoring Sponsor Torani Syrups, Official UBC Blender Sponsor Vita-Mix Corporation, Official UBC Media Sponsor; CoffeeTalk Magazine, Official UBC Specialty Coffee Sponsor was Coffeelabs Roasters and welcoming Diedrich Manufacturing, Inc. as Official Coffee Roaster Machines Sponsor.

The UBC is endorsed by the National Coffee Association of America and Presented by WholeCup Coffee Consulting LLC. A portion of UBC proceeds are donated to the International Women's Coffee Alliance.

About the Ultimate Barista Challenge. Began in 2006, in the Pacific Northwest, long known as the country's 'coffee hot spot'. The Ultimate Barista Challenge (UBC) is an open competition. Barista enter one to four tasty bouts of coffee and espresso challenges: Espresso Frappe, Latte Art, Espresso Cocktails and Best of Brew Challenges. Baristi enter and compete in a qualifying round and those who win go on to challenge an Ultimate Barista of their choice to compete in a one-on-one dueling final contest of fast-paced espresso excellence.

The Ultimate Barista Challenge is owned and produced by WholeCup Coffee Consulting, LLC, and endorsed by the NCA, National Coffee Association of America. Founders of the USBC and Barista Jams in the USA they have moved on to Culinary Shows in the USA and Asia. For more info, to register, or inquire about available sponsorships, please visit www.ultimatebaristachallenge.com or call 1-503-232-1016.

The International Restaurant and Foodservice Show of New York is produced by Reed Exhibition and sponsored by the New York State Restaurant Association. Reed Exhibitions is the world's leading exhibition and conference organizer with 2,300 employees in 33 offices serving 52 industries worldwide. For more information visit www.thefoodshows.com or call 888-334-8705.

For more information:

The Ultimate Barista Challenge; www.ultimatebaristachallenge.com

The National Coffee Association of USA; www.ncausa.org

WholeCup Coffee Consulting; Danny or Sherri Johns, sjohnswholecup@aol.com

The International Women's Coffee Alliance; www.womenincoffee.org

Download an application to compete, or Contact Danny or Sherri at info@baristachallenge.com / Tel: 503.232.1016 for general information.