MKE’s Alterra boasts 2nd and 3rd at Barista Competition!

After months of preparation Justin Teisl and Scott Lucey, baristas at Alterra Coffee, won second and third places, respectively, at the 2008 Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition (GLRBC), held in Milwaukee’s Third Ward, March 14th-16th. The GLRBC is one of ten annual regional barista competitions held nationwide and is designed to encourage and recognize professional achievement in the art of espresso beverage preparation and service.

Baristas representing over 15 coffee companies from Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Minnesota prepared and served espresso-based drinks to a panel of six judges. Each participant was evaluated according to the taste and quality of the beverages, technical skill, presentation, and the ability to prepare three rounds of espressos, cappuccinos, and signature drinks in 15 minutes or less.

Teisl and Lucey, experienced baristas as well as trainers for Alterra employees and wholesale accounts, made it to the final round of competition after beating out over 30 other participants. Both had a final score of 599.5, with Teisl gaining second place by scoring more top marks overall.

Justin Teisl has been with Alterra since 2001 and works at the company’s Riverwest café on Humboldt Boulevard. He is a recent graduate of UW-Milwaukee’s Peck School of Fine Arts and was the artist responsible for creating the trophies presented to the GLRBC’s top 3 finalists. Scott Lucey has worked at Alterra’s Prospect Avenue café since 2002, and began training other employees in 2005.