Mr. Rhinehart has over twenty years of experience in the coffee industry, and has designed, developed, and produced a wide range of coffee and tea products. He has considerable experience in developing manufacturing and packaging capabilities, and has traveled extensively as a green coffee buyer. He is co-author of Tea Basics a primer on premium tea, published by John Wiley & Sons in the fall of 1998. Mr. Rhinehart is a frequent presenter and panelist on industry issues and trends at trade shows and symposiums. He has served as a Director and as 2nd Vice President for the Specialty Coffee Association of America, and has chaired the Training Committee and the Technical Standards Committee. He was a founding member of the American Premium Tea Institute, where he served on the Board of Directors and as President.

He and his wife, Wendy Rasmussen, live in Garden Grove, California with their four children.

Top 6 Winners (from left to right, Soren Stiller Markussen/Denmark (5th), Scottie Callahan/Australia (3rd), Michael Phillips/USA (1st), Raul Rodas/Guatemala (2nd), Colin Harmon/Ireland (4th), Stephanos Domatiotis/Greece (6th)

Long Beach, Calif. U.S.A. (28 June 2010) – After three days of competition among fifty-three (53) professional and champion baristas, Michael Phillips won the title of the 2010 World Barista Champion. Michael hails from the United States where he is employed at Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea. This was his second time competing in the event. Other finalists were (listed in order of place): Raul Rodas (Guatemala), Scottie Callaghan (Australia), Colin Harmon (Ireland), Soren Stiller Markussen (Denmark), and Stefanos Domatiotis (Greece).

Hundreds of spectators were on site to watch the competition and the live stream web video drew another 200,000-plus visitors. The World Barista Championship (WBC) was founded by the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) and the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and is supported by a number of sponsors from the industry, with the goals of recognizing professional excellence and increasing awareness and education of specialty coffee. The finalists will receive a number of prizes including coffee equipment and accessories along with trips to Peru and Italy, which are designed to enhance their understanding of the supply chain with the ultimate aim of sharing that knowledge and passion for coffee with the end-consumer.

Next year’s competition will be held in Bogota, Colombia (2-5 June 2011) and is the first time a coffee producing country will host. WBC Executive Director, Cindy Chang, comments, “The participation and engagement from coffee origin is increasing each year and that commitment is evident in the results. This year, five of the twelve semi-finalists represented countries that also produce coffee”. She continues, “For us, that symbolizes the greater significance the competition holds, in that it is bringing the coffee world together and deepening the understanding and relationships within it”.

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The World Barista Championship is the preeminent international coffee competition. The organization—founded by the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe and the Specialty Coffee Association of America—focuses on promoting excellence in coffee, advancing the barista profession, and engaging a worldwide audience with an annual championship event that serves as the culmination of events held in more than 50 member nations around the globe.

Sponsors for this years event include: the Qualified Espresso Machine sponsor, Nuova Simonelli SpA (www.nuovasimonelli.it ), Qualified Grinder sponsor, Mahlkönig (www.mahlkoenig.de ), Qualified Cleaning Products sponsor, Urnex/Puro (www.urnex.com ), www.purocaff.com ), and Qualified Water Filtration sponsor, Everpure/Pentair (www.everpure.com ). Platinum sponsor is Jacobs Espresso (www.kraftfoods.gr/kraft ). Gold Sponsor is DaVinci Gourmet (www.davinci-gourmet.com ). Silver Sponsor is United Coffee (www.unitedcoffeeuk.com ). Bronze Sponsors are Monin (www.monin.com ), Natvia (www.natvia.com.au ), Has Bean (www.hasbean.co.uk ). Official media sponsor is Barista Magazine(www.baristamagazine.com ). Official trophy sponsor is Reg Barber Enterprises (www.coffeetamper.com ). Espresso Bar title sponsor is Daterra Coffee (www.daterracoffee.com.br ). Brew Bar title sponsor is Marco (www.marco.ie ).

The auction is part of the World Barista Championship’s efforts to support
Coffee Kids, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the
quality of life for coffee-farming families. Baristas from more than 50 countries
will compete June 23-25 in London to become World Barista Champion, and
the annual event will feature multiple efforts to raise awareness and funds for
Coffee Kids.

The auction, which opens June 18 and closes June 25, can be accessed at

http://shop.ebay.com/coffeekids.

Featured items, all donated by Coffee Kids supporters, include:

• • - Reg Barber handmade FB/80 Model for the USBC bronze trophies, made from solid maple, donated by Reg Barber Enterprises

• • - Capresso MT600 programmable 10-cup coffee maker, courtesy of 1st in Coffee

• • - Anfim Barista Grinder with digital timer and cooling fan, donated by Anfim

• • - Home Brewers Dream, including kettle, scale, dripper, filters, mug, a pound of coffee and a tote bag, courtesy of New Harvest Coffee Roasters

• • - Organic, Fair Trade, shade-grown, bird-friendly coffee, courtesy of Caffe Ibis Coffee Roasting Co.

• • - Behmor 1600 home coffee roaster featuring smoke-suppression technology, donated by Behmor

• • - Weekend Explorer Grill and Cooler, courtesy of REDW The Rogoff Firm Certified Public Accountants

• • - A one-year subscription to Barista Magazine, plus Barista Magazine tote bag, donated by Barista Magazine

• • - A Coffee Kids reception at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 24, featuring a

Other events at the World Barista Championship:

“Celebrity Barista Knockout” with past World Barista Champions
competing in a latte-art contest and a presentation by Coffee Kids
Executive Director Carolyn Fairman.

A “London Coffee Map” featuring London’s must-visit coffee destinations. All participating shops will collect donations and raise awareness about Coffee Kids.

What: WBC and Coffee Kids online auction
When: June 18 to June 25
Where: http://shop.ebay.com/coffeekids.
How: Bid for great items and help coffee growers in the process!

The World Barista Championship is the pre-eminent international coffee competition. The organization, founded by the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe and the Specialty Coffee Association of America, focuses on promoting excellence in coffee, advancing the barista profession, and engaging a worldwide audience with an annual championship event that serves as the culmination of events held in more than 50 member nations around the globe. For more information, visit the WBC website at www.worldbaristachampionship.org.

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Coffee Kids Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of coffee-farming families. Coffee Kids currently supports economic diversification, education, health awareness and food security programs in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Peru. To learn more about Coffee Kids or to make a donation, please visit www.coffeekids.org or call 505-820-1443.
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The World Barista Championship is the culmination of yearlong activity among nearly sixty (60) officially licensed partner countries. Competitors are professional baristas who train and compete extensively. For many, the championship represents an opportunity to advance in the coffee industry. Many past champions have gone on to pursue careers in training and consulting or open their own businesses. Executive Director, Cynthia Chang, explains, “The event is designed to promote and recognize professional excellence with the understanding that exceptional baristas create extraordinary coffee beverages. This event allows those who enjoy coffee to view the passion and dedication behind their favorite beverages”.

This year, several national champions will return and among the favored competitors are Michael Phillips from the United States, Colin Harmon from Ireland, Soren Stiller Markussen from Denmark, Raul Rodas from Guatemala, and Oda Misje Haug from Norway. Countries competing for the first time include Bulgaria, Romania, and the United Arab Emirates. The winner will receive a line up of top coffee equipment from sponsors, as well as many trips to visit coffee producing countries and various manufacturers in the industry.

This is the first time the event has been held in London and the location holds special significance as several of the more recent champions used and won with coffee from roasters in the United Kingdom, highlighting the impressive and growing coffee culture in the region. The London event is set to attract in excess of 10,000 international visitors from the global coffee community over the three days.

The 2010 WBC features our Qualified Espresso Machine sponsor, Nuova Simonelli SpA (www.nuovasimonelli.it), Qualified Grinder sponsor, Mahlkönig (www.mahlkoenig.de), Qualified Cleaning Products sponsor, Urnex/Puro (www.urnex.com, www.purocaff.com), and Qualified Water Filtration sponsor, Everpure/Pentair (www.everpure.com). Platinum sponsor is Jacobs Espresso (www.kraftfoods.gr/kraft). Gold Sponsor is DaVinci Gourmet (www.davinci-gourmet.com). Silver Sponsor is First Choice Coffee (www.firstchoicecoffee.com). Bronze Sponsors are Monin (www.monin.com), Natvia (www.natvia.com.au), Has Bean (www.hasbean.co.uk). Official media sponsor is Barista Magazine (www.baristamagazine.com). Official trophy sponsor is Reg Barber Enterprises (www.coffeetamper.com). Espresso Bar title sponsor is Daterra Coffee (www.daterracoffee.com.br). Brew Bar title sponsor is Marco (www.marco.ie).

Note to Editors
The World Barista Championship schedule and links to information on the full event programme may be accessed at http://www.worldbaristachampionship.org

The event may also be viewed via HD video stream, accessible through the World Barista Championship web site and Livestream.

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The World Barista Championship is the preeminent international coffee competition. The organization—founded by the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe and the Specialty Coffee Association of America—focuses on promoting excellence in coffee, advancing the barista profession, and engaging a worldwide audience with an annual championship event that serves as the culmination of events held in more than 50 member nations around the globe.

This year, the WBC will be held in conjunction with the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe Conference and Caffé Culture Show, Europe’s largest specialty coffee expo.

Special Coffee Kids/WBC efforts and events include:

• -  An online auction of coffee-related items that will begin in June. All funds raised will benefit Coffee Kids’ projects for coffee-farming families.
• -  A Coffee Kids Reception will be held Thursday, June 24 at 6pm. The event will feature a quiz show with celebrity baristas, an open bar and a presentation from Coffee Kids Executive Director Carolyn Fairman.
• -  A coffee map featuring 20-25 of London’s must-visit coffee destinations will be compiled and distributed. All participating shops will collect donations and raise awareness of Coffee Kids.

“The partnership with Coffee Kids allows baristas an opportunity to learn more about ways they can get involved in supporting coffee-growing communities around the world,” said Cindy Chang, executive director of the WBC.

Please contact info@coffeekids.org or call 505-820-1143 for more information.

***

The World Barista Championship is the preeminent international coffee competition. The organization—founded by the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe and the Specialty Coffee Association of America—focuses on promoting excellence in coffee, advancing the barista profession, and engaging a worldwide audience with an annual championship event that serves as the culmination of events held in more than 50 member nations around the globe.  For more information, visit the WBC website at http://www.worldbaristachampionship.org

Coffee Kids, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of coffee-farming families. Founded in 1988, the organization works closely with partners in coffee-growing communities to create community-based programs that respect the values, cultural integrity and ingenuity of the communities.

Coffee Kids supports economic diversification, education, and healthcare programs in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Peru. To learn more about Coffee Kids or to make a donation, please visit www.coffeekids.org or call 505-820-1443.

While there, Mr. Davies performed barista demonstrations on stage and also mentored African national barista champions, many of whom will attend the next World Barista Championship in London this June.
Following the success of this year’s program in Kenya, the Coffee Quality Institute, is actively working with the World Barista Championship organization to develop similar future activities in other producing countries in the 2010 – 2011 competition season.

The 11th annual World Barista Championship will be held in London in conjunction with the Caffe Culture Coffee show at the Olympia National Exhibition Centre from June 23-25, 2010.

LONDRES (1 de marzo de 2010) – Colombia ha sido seleccionado como país anfitrión para la 12ava Competencia Mundial de Baristas, la cual se llevará a cabo junto con la Conferencia de Expoespeciales 2011 en Bogotá.

Siete países aplicaron para ser anfitriones del evento de 2011. “Seleccionar a un ganador de una variedad de ofertas extremadamente competitivas que recibimos, fue una tarea sumamente difícil para la Junta Directiva de la WBC”, comentó la Directora Ejecutiva de la WBC, Cindy Chang.

El evento de la Competencia Mundial de Baristas (WBC) es el destino anual de los campeones de más de 50 países. En cada competencia nacional, y decenas de competencias preliminares locales y regionales, los baristas preparan espressos, cappuccinos y bebidas especiales siguiendo estándares exactos para un panel de jueces internacionales.

“Estamos honrados de ser anfitriones de la Competencia 2011 ” indicó Luis Muñoz, Presidente de la Federación Nacional de Caficultores de Colombia -FNC-  ”Será una oportunidad para baristas y visitantes de poder descubrir el mundo del Café Colombiano, y también de apoyar nuestro programa de Consumo Interno. ”

“El movimiento de baristas es un movimiento mundial,” indicó Ric Rhinehart, Director Ejecutivo de la Asociación de Cafés Especiales de América, asociación que es co-propietaria de la WBC junto con la Asociación de Cafés Especiales de Europa. “Estamos muy contentos de ver que el evento se llevará a cabo en un país productor de café por primera vez en su historia.”

About World Barista Championship UK Ltd. The World Barista Championship is the preeminent international coffee competition. Founded by the Specialty Coffee Associations of America and Europe, the event organization promotes excellence in coffee, advancement of the barista profession and engages a worldwide audience with an annual championship that serves as the culmination of regional and national events held in more than 50 countries. The 2010 World Barista Championship will be held June 23-25, 2010 at Olympia Exhibition Centre in London.