2006 SCAA Charlotte Series - Nick walks the SCAA Show Floor with special co-host, Amber Sather, barista trainer at Intelligentsia and a USBC competitor. Way too many guests to list them out here, but highlights: Funky pump on a Synesso, Amber meets an old friend-of-a-friend, Nick meets Nick, Ethiopian coffee is good, Ward Barbee from Fresh Cup Magazine on the SCAA, and much, much more.

2006 SCAA Charlotte Series - No hanky-panky... it's all just dinner. Chit-chat, reminiscing, and love.

Special guests: Jennifer Prince, Trish Skeie, Chris Davidson, and Jeff Babcock, all of Zoka Coffee, Seattle, wA, also: Sandy Hon, Bronwen Serna, and Gee Barger.

In this episode of the fabulously short Portafilter.net Podcast 28 Jay goes solo as he takes on the 2006 United States Barista Championship with a brief overview of the competitors, their scores and some expectations on who might become the 2006 US Champion. Discussion Topics:

Quick News (Christian Asylum, Hamas Cabinet, Student and Wal-Mart, Entertainment),

Doubleshot Takes On Big Green,

Portafilter.net Podcast Comments,

Forum Chats - Grinders, SCAA,

2006 USBC Competitor Scores and Standings

Special guests: Danielle Joray (former murky barista), a surprise phone call from a secret admirer, Dean Cycon from Dean's Beans, Orange, MA, Ryan Jensen, murky coffee. Discussion topics: Brazil CoE tasting from Ecco Caffe, Danielle is angry, Secret Guest must be angry at us, Dean Cycon with all about Fair Trade, Pirates of the Caribbean II, chit-chat about SCAA Conference, USBC, and porn. See y'all in Charlotte!!!

Special guest: Mr. Rob Stephen, Coffee Solutions, and 2006 SCAA Conference Chair. Discussion topics: TV talk,

No blueberries in coffee?!?

Talk with Rob about his history in coffee, Dunkin Donuts, SCAA Conference, and SCAA drama.

A (typically) long show, but chock full of goodness.

Podcasting from Nick's house

Special guests:

Bronwen Serna, Hines Public Market Coffee,

Ellie Matuszak, Intelligentsia,

Madeline Cho,

Suzy Cho.

Discussion topics:

Bronwen made Nick's dad a cappuccino (a.k.a. Bronwen's barista posture),

Aftermath of the MARBC ("Some of us are better off as number two..."),

Barista Guild of America stuff,

Being starstruck by baristas,

Ellie on Chicago TV,

We love Mr. Krups,

Recap of the Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition,

The Storminator,

Nick's wife Suzy tells all,

Coffee Corps

Discussion topics and special guests:

Sarah Allen, Barista Magazine

Matt Milletto, Bellissimo Infogroup and the ABC.

Kevin Dupree, The Cup, Bel Air, MD

Heather Perry, Coffee Klatch, San Dimas, CA

Bombay Sapphire Tonics,

Kate LaPoint (To the Point Business Imaging) and Eric Bass, Stirling Gourmet Flavors talk about the place for syrups in specialty coffee

Elizabeth Charrow, murky coffee

Mandy Catron, murky coffee

Marcus Boni, Intelligentsia Coffee

Amber Sather, Intelligentsia Coffee talks about "Espresso L'ARANJA."

Chris Deferio, Carriage House Coffee, Ithaca, NY, talks about the superficiality of latte art, and career moves

Spencer Turer, Kerry Food and Beverage,

Ryan Jensen, murky coffee,

Holger? From Germany?

Michelle Campbell, Director of Community and Events, SCAA,

Alison Trowbridge, Espresso Supply,

Sandy Hon, Java Jazz, Overland Park, KS,

Ken Olsen, Barista Magazine,

Peter Giuliano, Counter Culture Coffee, on cupping at Coffee Fest, and SCAA stuff,

Jesse Cooper, Tryst Coffeehouse, Bar and Lounge.

More Heather Perry on underwear,

and much, much more.

Discussion topics:

MWRBC, MARBC, and Coffee Fest,

Our Boston trip to George Howell,

Barista Magazine Feb-March 2006 and Wendelboeian dosing,

SCAA Board election update,

The "Small Axe" buying group,

and upcoming guests

Discussion topics:

Jay went to Vegas and L.A.

Next podcast will be from Boston (next week)

What Is Chris Tacy Thinking About Today?

Talking to Katie about Crotchless-n-Fingerless

Chat with Vince Piccolo (Caffe Artigiano) about how cool he is

About triangle cupping with Aaron

Chat with Matt Riddle (Intelligentsia Coffee) about his GLRBC win

and much, much more

Black tie only please. Award categories: Roaster of the Year,

Technical Achievement in Espresso,

Coffee Weblog of the Year,

Career Move of the Year,

Most Overexposed Coffee Personality of the Year,

Coffee Magazine of the Year,

Roastmaster of the Year,

Green Buyer of the Year,

Barista of the Year,

Coffeebar of the Year. Also, Jay and Nick's look back on 2005, and look ahead to 2006. Happy New Year folks! Questions? Comments? Hate mail? Email us at [email protected], and we might read your email during the next show.