A judging certification workshop will be held in Stockholm, Sweden for applicants who aspire to judge at the 2009 World Barista Championship (WBC) competition in Atlanta.

On April 16-19, 2009, national barista champions from over 56 countries will converge in Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center to compete for the ranking of world’s top coffee maker in front of a live audience of several hundred spectators and thousands of online viewers from around the world.

Participants that successfully complete the 2-day certification course will be included in a pool of volunteer judges that will evaluate the taste of beverages served in the 2009 competition, as well as, the creativity, technical skill and overall presentation of competitors.

Once certified, judges will be issued a certificate of completion and a license to use the WBC Certified Judge logo in accordance with WBC standards.

In order to attend, all candidates must meet the following prerequisites:

  • Possess two consecutive years experience officiating at WBC-sanctioned national or regional barista competitions;
  • Demonstrate the ability comprehend and complete all score sheets in English;
  • Agree to comply with the WBC Code of Conduct;
  • Agree to attend the 2009 competition and pre-competition events in Atlanta, GA from April 14-19 at his or her own expense; and
  • Demonstrate a commitment to coffee excellence and to promoting the barista craft.

In Stockholm, January 13-14, 2009:
Stockholm Coffee Academy
Hammerby Fabriksväg 43 – plan 5
12033 Stockholm, Sweden

Fee: US$200 per person

Attendance is limited and advance registration is required. For more information or to register, visit the World Barista Championship website at www.worldbaristachampionship.com.

About World Barista Championship UK Ltd.

World Barista Championship UK Ltd is jointly owned by the Specialty Coffee Association of America and Speciality Coffee Association of Europe. The first WBC competition took place in Monte Carlo in October 2000 and has since held annual competitions Miami, Oslo, Boston, Trieste, Seattle, Berne, Tokyo and Copenhagen. The organization’s next event will be held in Atlanta, Georgia U.S.A., April 16-19, 2009. For more information, please visit http://www.worldbaristachampionship.com.