Coffee Kids in London
More than 150 donors, supporters and friends gathered at London’s Hand and Flower pub during Caffè Culture and the SCAE Event on an evening in late June, for the first independent event organised by Coffee Kids UK—the Barista Knockout.
Generously sponsored by Glasgow-based roaster (and leading British donor) Matthew Algie, the lighthearted competition attracted some of the world’s best baristas, including current and former WBC champions James Hoffman, Gwilym Davies and emcee Troels Overdal Pedersen.
Baristas Dave Makin, Estelle Bright, Carl Sara, Scott Griffiths, Neil Le Bihan, James Hoffman, Gwilym Davies, Dan Thompson, Oda Misje Jaug, August Crone, James Phillips and Jason Scheltus competed in the first CKUK Knockout, and the winner was Dave Makin, the 2008 Australian Barista Championship.
During the evening, CK Executive Director Carolyn Fairman introduced donors presenting checks, including the UK Barista Championship, the German Barista Championship/Berlin School of Coffee and Matthew Algie itself. She also presented a new film featuring the work done by Coffee Kids origin partners Hijos del Campo Foundation in Costa Rica.
Ross Brown, Lucy Henry, Eric Brown and Miko (who also filmed the proceedings) helped out, and there were donations in kind from Italian restaurant Ottolenghi and Bea’s of Bloomsbury.
Also during Caffè Culture, Coffee Kids collaborated with the WBC to produce the London Coffee Map, a guide to the hot new independent coffee-bar sector in the city. Each of the shops promoted Coffee Kids during Caffè Culture week: Tapped and Packed, Penny University, Coffee Plant, Bea’s of Bloomsbury, Climpson & Sons, Exchange Coffee, Flat White, Hurwundecki, L.J. Coffeehouse, Milk Bar, Nude Espresso, Taylor St Baristas, The Pavilion Café, Tina, We Salute You, Brown’s of Brockley, Counter Café, Espresso Room, Federation Coffee, Fernandez & Wells (Espresso Bar), Ginger & White, Kaffeine, Monmouth Coffee, Taste of Bitter Love, Caravan, Look Mum No Hands, Present and Dose Espresso.
The Coffee Kids stand at Caffè Culture drew a steady stream of visitors and new donors from the more than 11,000 attendees at the London show.
View pictures from the show at our Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/coffeekids/sets/72157624441898239/