2nd Annual Focus on the Roast Roasting Competition

BoldJava

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Jul 29, 2006
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The 2nd Annual Worldwide Focus on the Roast competition is finally upon us. This year we've got an exciting selection of fresh crop coffees, a great competition designed to help us all become better roasters and cuppers, and more and bigger prizes!

Co-sponsors this year include our good friends at Cafe Imports, Prima Coffee Equipment, Baratza, and Byrd & Belle.

Last year we too quickly sold out to the first 77 entrants. This year we've done the groundwork to support up to 225 entrants. Whether coffee professional or amateur, this is your opportunity to match your roaster and roasting skills against others in a two round "Roast Off."


  • We've got excellent coffee from Cafe Imports.
  • Superb prizes are on hand (listed below).
  • We have arranged a nice discount with Prima for cupping supplies and bundles!
  • Judging will be done by a group of pro cuppers from Cafe Imports, with Joe Marrocco anchoring the judges.
This competition is open to all roasters, not just those roasting on North and Coffee-Tech machines. Get those Ambex, Probat, Behmor, and SCTO's warmed up!

Two rounds to the contest:

* Round 1: You will receive five 2-pound samples of specialty greens. $55.00 plus shipping. (We will also provide you a coupon code for a 10% discount from Prima on specific cupping supplies (kettles, KONE, spoons, tumblers, kettles, etc.)

From a list of 9 possible origins, you will need to roast and determine from which country the 5 single origin coffees came. Send your guesses in via our website.

* Round 2: The 7 individuals with the highest correct responses advance to round two (ties will be broken by time/date of submission). This group of 7 will receive 5 pounds of a specialty coffee, known origin, at no cost. You will be asked to put the best roast on the bean. (Only one sample can be submitted to us). Joe Marrocco will head up the judging/cupping of the 7 finalists roasts. Look in on the live streaming here!

Prizes?


  • 1st place - North 500g Sample Roaster. MSRP $2999. Winner pays shipping.
  • 2nd place - Tonino Roast Color Meter. MSRP $340.
  • 3rd place - Baratza Preciso grinder from one of our generous co-sponsors, Baratza. MSRP $325.
  • 4th place - ♞Paladin Mobile Cupping Kit (our thanks to another co-sponsor, Prima Coffee Equipment), MSRP $274. Includes a Baratza Encore grinder, a Bonavita 1L electric kettle, 2 Rattleware cupping spoons, 6 tumblers, a dozen sampler trays and a scale. Have Kit, Will Travel!
  • 5th place - Byrd & Belle custom made roaster's apron, MSRP $85

Timeline:
7/13/16: Registration is open. Order here.
8/22/16: Registration closes
8/23/16: Round 1 greens simultaneously sent out to entrants via USPS priority mail.
9/8/16: Deadline for Round 1 submissions must be in. Responses must be submitted here on our website by Noon, Central time. Any ties will be broken by earliest submission date/time.
9/9/16: Round 2 coffee is sent at no cost to the seven Round 1 finalists.
9/12/16: Round 1 winners announced
9/23/16: One sample roast must be in hand at Mill City Roasters, Minneapolis
9/26/16 week (exact date tbd): Cupping and Judging of Round 2 Coffees, Livestreamed. Joe Marrocco anchors a professional group of cuppers to determine winners.

Community:

Although 5 people are going to win or place, we hope this event is more about roasting education and less about competition. Our hope for you is this becomes an opportunity to be part of the community and exchange ideas, as "in a multitude of counsel there is wisdom." Maybe even get a cupping group together to assist.

For your benefit and the benefit of others, once the competition is closed, please consider sharing your notes, roast logs, ideas, knowledge gained and results here or on the North Roaster Discussion Forum, and Home-Barista. We hope documenting your results and impressions will help demystify an entirely new group of coffee roasting fanatics.

Suggestions:

Get serious about your cupping. Find two or three friends interested in cupping and go after those beans.

Grab those supplies needed for cupping at a discount from Prima. You will receive a discount code for use at Prima for specific items once you register. Our thanks to Prima for the discounts!

Roast on,
Dave Borton, BoldJava, for the entire Mill City Roasters staff
 
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BoldJava

New member
Jul 29, 2006
69
0
St Paul, Minnesota
Visit site
Final reminder. We would love to have you participate. Great prizes. Full details above.

Last roundup:

8/22/16: Registration closes
8/23/16: Round 1 greens simultaneously sent out to entrants via USPS priority mail.
9/8/16: Deadline for Round 1 submissions must be in. Responses must be submitted here on our website by Noon, Central time. Any ties will be broken by earliest submission date/time.

9/9/16: Round 2 coffee is sent at no cost to the seven Round 1 finalists.
9/12/16: Round 1 winners announced
9/23/16: One sample roast must be in hand at Mill City Roasters, Minneapolis

9/26/16 week (exact date tbd): Cupping and Judging of Round 2 Coffees, Livestreamed. Joe Marrocco anchors a professional group of cuppers to determine winners.
[/list]


Prizes? Will your name be listed in the gold? Can't win without playing:


1st place - North 500g Sample Roaster. MSRP $2999. Winner pays shipping.
2nd place - Tonino Roast Color Meter. MSRP $340.
3rd place - Baratza Preciso grinder from one of our generous co-sponsors, Baratza. MSRP $325.
4th place - Paladin Mobile Cupping Kit (our thanks to another co-sponsor, Prima Coffee Equipment), MSRP $274. Includes a Baratza Encore grinder, a Bonavita 1L electric kettle, 2 Rattleware cupping spoons, 6 tumblers, a dozen sampler trays and a scale. Have Kit, Will Travel!
5th place - Byrd & Belle custom made roaster's apron, MSRP $85

Enter here: https://millcityroasters.com/focus-on-the-roast/
 

BoldJava

New member
Jul 29, 2006
69
0
St Paul, Minnesota
Visit site
Nick reports 115 kits are on their way to entrants. Get those cupping groups together!

Top 7 advance to round 2. In case of ties, date/time of responses are tie breakers.

Top 7 will put their best shine on a known bean. Judging by several local professional cuppers, anchored by Joe Marrocco as lead judge. Be there!

Post your calendars
Date: Friday, 30 Sept
Livestreamed Judging
Time: 2pm, Central time
millcityroasters.com/focus-on-the-roast/



 
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