{From left, Zach Althaus, Scott Carey, Dylan Connell, Matthew Piva}
An adrenaline rush jolted the crew at Sump Coffee recently when it won top honors in the America’s Best Espresso competition at Coffee Fest. The thrice-yearly event showcasing everything to do with coffee took place at the end of May at America’s Center downtown. Coffee Fest also hosts three regional competitions: America’s Best Espresso, America’s Best Coffeehouse and the Latte Art World Championships.
Sump took the first place title and a cash prize after beating out 16 other entrants from the central region, which spans from Texas to Ontario, Canada. Barista Dylan Connell represented the South City coffeehouse in the espresso competition, which required him to pull a shot for each of three judges. The shots were evaluated based on flavor complexity, mouth feel and aftertaste. Connell moves on to the national competition in Portland, Oregon, where he will take on five other baristas in October.
Second place went to another local coffeehouse, Goshen Coffee Company, in Edwardsville, Illinois.
Sump Coffee also took second in the America’s Best Coffeehouse competition, which was determined by a combination of fan votes, secret shoppers and on-site finals. Sump owner Scott Carey and baristas Zach Althaus and Matt Piva brought home the title and a cash prize.
Carey said this is the first time one coffeehouse has placed in two categories during Coffee Fest’s two-year competition cycle. “Since we only do coffee, it’s the only thing the shop depends on,” he said. “To be somewhat externally validated in a competitive environment — it feels good. It definitely feels like some of the pain and heavy lifting is rewarding.”
-photo courtesy of Scott Carey
This article appears in June 2014.