Nick Griffith took the top prize at this weekend’s Western Regional Barista Competition in Los Angeles, followed by David Pedde, and Ryan Wilbur — all from Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea’s store in Silverlake. All 3 will compete in the upcoming United States Barista Championship in Portland, March 5-8. Intelligentsia is the home of 2006 US Barista Champion Matthew Riddle and has produced a number of worthy competitors (and good coffee) over the years.

The 2009 US Barista Champion will go on to represent the United States in competition in 65 nations at the World Barista Championship this April 16-19 in Atlanta, GA.

You can read a summary in the LA Times Daily Dish blog