My first Barista Olympics

I pictured Starbucks-emblazoned track suits, a live mascot of the mermaid on the cup, even a rain of coffee beans when someone beat a record.

There was none of that at the Barista Olympics.

Ok, so it was just the East Lansing area stores. And since three of the stores were recently closed, it was up to the Grand River and Stoddard Avenue store to bring home the bacon. With about ten employees competing, the Olympic Games were more like lukewarm Earl Grey than the rich Pike Place Roast I was expecting.

But that was alright. I wasn’t going to let the mild atmosphere get me down. I wanted to see a Michael Phelps moment! Someone making a cappuccino at the speed of light! Someone creating a pairing combination of finger cookies and delicious Kenyan java that makes the taste buds explode in delight! Someone would make a coffee drink so delicious, that I, Thea M. Neal, would actually like it! Gaaaah!

Needless to say, I was overexcited. The employees participated in creative, knowledge and skill events. The two most interesting events were making cappuccino, as well as putting together metal pumps — both of which were timed.

Putting together chai and white mocha pumps sounds simple. Heck, it even sounds easy. But when all the tiny screws and caps and tops and metal pieces and things that I can’t even figure out what they are get thrown into a bucket, even Starbucks employees freeze. Even Great Lakes Region “Barista of the Year” Michael Alexanian struggled. Admitting defeat, the gray-haired Alexanian gave up after more than 12 minutes attempting the feat. Kind of a rough moment for someone who is literally a dojo expert.

Julie McCracken moved in in the clutch however, putting both pumps together in less than three minutes. It was a close match when it came down to Morgan Wilson and McCracken making a faster (and more accurate) cappuccino — but McCracken took the cake. I’ve begun calling her Julie McCappuccino. McCappuccino will be going on to the regional competition of the Barista Olympics. She better put that on her resume.

The problem with the Barista Olympics is that it was held during store hours — making it difficult to cheer loudly in the back room. It also posed a problem in that it was difficult for those Starbucks employees on the clock who couldn’t partake when participants were there. When the store got busy, the Olympics had to pause, which given the intense atmosphere, made it a bit of a killjoy. However, I did manage to spend some time with store manager Joel Sodeman’s three daughters. We had drawing competitions. They all beat me. It’s kind of disappointing when a sixth grader can draw a better ice cream cone than you.

Heck, they could probably put together a white mocha pump faster.

At the end of the day, my first Barista Olympics was a success. I got to go in the back room of Starbucks. I got to hang out with really cool little kids. And I even learned that the best cappuccino will cause frothy peaks on your finger when you poke the drink.

But I still don’t like coffee.

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