It looks like a banner week for coffee beans, as well as St. Louisans who love them.
First, despite the snow, Kaldi’s Barista Throwdown is still scheduled to take place at Washington University today. Roughly six baristas will compete in Tisch Commons at the Danforth University Center till 3 p.m. Passers-by will serve as judges. Scheduled to participate are Kaldi’s Coffee‘s Mike Marquand, Joe Marrocco and Micah Svejda, who are headed to the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s 2010 United States Barista Competition in Anaheim, Calif., in April. The three of them placed first, fourth and fifth in the SCAA’s latest Midwest regional competition last October.
Then Foam Coffee & Beer hosts the first Thursday Night Throwdown on Feb. 11. For a $5 fee, baristas and other coffee connoisseurs can take part in a latte-art competition from 8 to 11 p.m. Prizes in the new monthly event will go to the top three entrants. Spectators not jonesin’ for a cup of joe, meanwhile, can enjoy specials on Schlafly beers.
This article appears in Feb 1-28, 2010.