The Ultimate Barista Challenge China featured at Food Hospitality China (FHC) where Ultimate Baristi from USA, Korea and China Remain Undefeated

Shanghai, China / Portland, Oregon, USA - The Ultimate Barista Challenge China, featured in the new coffee & tea pavilion at the renown FHC Expo was held at Shanghai Exposition Center, November 14 -16, 2007 hosting 18,000 attendees and 800 exhibitors. The Ultimate Barista Challenge (UBC) consists of four tasty bouts of coffee and espresso challenges: Espresso Frappe, Latte Art, Espresso Cocktails and Best of Brew. Local Baristi competed in qualifying rounds and those who won, went on to challenge their choice of 3 International Ultimate Baristi to compete against, in a one-on-one dueling contest of fast-paced espresso excellence.

2007 UBC China Challengers finishing their Espresso Frappe Challenge!

"China is an incredible new frontier for coffee and barista. I am so impressed with the caliber of baristi who entered the UBC China. They are enthusiastic, creative and professional," states Sherri Johns, UBC Founder. Local baristi competed in dueling matches preparing latte art, espresso cocktails or espresso frappes of the barista own creation for discerning judges. Attendees crowded the stage to glimpse the action and take plenty of photos as judges' evaluated drinks and baristi on presentation, taste, creativity and technical skills. Baristi also had to Œbeat the clock' as MC Danny Johns called out the final seconds!

This was the most international All Star group of Ultimate Baristi and judges to date with Ultimate Barista Korea; Miss Sena Lee, Ultimate Barista China; Kelvin Huang and Ultimate Barista USA; Miss Heather Perry poised and ready to take on all challengers! Perry also ranks as the current 2007 USA National Champion and runner up world champion according to a recent global barista event held in Tokyo.

2007 UBC China at full speed in the FHC Shanghai Show!

Following the Latte Art Espresso Challenge, qualifying barista Cheng Zhi Dong from Hopestar selected Ms. Sena Lee, Ultimate Barista Korea to the Final Challenge. Ms. Lee gracefully prepared all drinks with finesse and skill retaining her stature and earning her another medallion and a cash prize by Creation Food. Likewise for UBC Ultimates Heather Perry in Espresso Frappe and Kelvin Huang in Espresso Cocktail. UBC China Sponsor, Nadim Itani of CALLEBAUT was delighted with the success of the UBC. "I found the event to be professional, exciting and a real draw to the show floor. Everyone was having fun."

2007 UBC China Challengers dueling in the Espresso Qualifying match!


UBC China at full speed!


UBC Team; Sherri Johns, Sena Lee (UBC Korea), Heather Perry (UBC USA), Kelvin Huang (UBC China) and Danny Johns


UBC USA Ultimate Heather Perry demonstrates her championship Espresso Frappe

Brendan Jennings, FHC Director, "We cannot thank UBC enough for adding such excitement and sharing the future of coffee with us. We are already planning UBC 2008!"

The Ultimate Barista Challenge is owned and produced by WholeCup Coffee Consulting, LLC, and a global specialty coffee-consulting firm located in Portland, Oregon, USA and endorsed by the NCA, National Coffee Association of America. The UBC is featured at upscale food expositions throughout the world. The UBC China is sponsored by Jespresso; Creation Foods; Callebaut Chocolate; BUNN Coffee Machines and Beyone the Bean. For more info, to register, or inquire about sponsorships, please visit www.ultimatebaristachallenge.com or call +1-503-232-1016.

The Food Hospitality China (FHC) Expo 2007 was produced by China International Expositions and Allworld Exhibitions and is China's definitive Food & Hospitality Event. For more information visit www.fhcchina.com. FHC 2008 will be held in Shanghai December 4- 6. Download an application to compete, or Contact Danny or Sherri at info@baristachallenge.com / Tel: 503.232.1016 for general information.