Barista Jam 05/2010 - Cups from Croatia

Driving along in unfamiliar teritory, in the dark, trying to find 145 Stirling Highway was not an easy task. And one that was complicated by occasional driving rain and trecherous road conditions. After driving past it twice with turns down blind side streets, I did finally arrive the desired destination. In one piece.

The barista jam, an initiative by Matt of Abstract Gourmet, Tom Werne (European Foods), Charles Stewart (Rocket Fuel), Jesper Bood (Ristretto Coffee) and Jen Murray (Five Senses) to raise funds for the upcoming WA Barista Competition later this year. It’s also an opportunity for people in the coffee industry and enthusiasts alike to get together, socialise, have a few drinks and share a laugh.

Matt, et al are hoping to stage a monthly jam at different venues around Perth. For this inaugural event, Justin Kenny and his crew at Elixir Coffee Specialists has very graciously opened his cafe to over 40 lively participants. What followed was an evening of much merriement filled with pizza, beer, wine and even some coffee sampling amidst lots of coffee (and other) talk.

What I took away from the event, being a non industry interloper, was that every person I spoke to was passionate, knowledgeable and damn committed to making great coffee. And the Perth coffee scene has come out in force to support a great cause. So, congratulations to Matt, Tom and all the event organisers for a fantastic night and a huge thank you to Justin for being a great host.

I’ll shut up now and let you look at the pretty pictures.

Barista Jam 05/2010 - Setting upBarista Jam 05/2010 - Elixir Coffee SpecialistsBarista Jam 05/2010 - Siphon filterBarista Jam 05/2010 - Cleaning the filtersBarista Jam 05/2010 - Vasse FelixBarista Jam 05/2010 - Brewing upBarista Jam 05/2010 - First pourBarista Jam 05/2010 - Keep cupBarista Jam 05/2010 - Abstract gourmetBarista Jam 05/2010 - Justin KennyBarista Jam 05/2010 - Enter OTTOBarista Jam 05/2010 - OTTO Close upBarista Jam 05/2010 - Milling aboutBarista Jam 05/2010 - Paper cupsBarista Jam 05/2010 - Dominic & MattBarista Jam 05/2010 - Coffee talkBarista Jam 05/2010 - Tom texturing milkBarista Jam 05/2010 - Beer in handBarista Jam 05/2010 - DispensingBarista Jam 05/2010 - Topping upBarista Jam 05/2010 - A perfect pourBarista Jam 05/2010 - TastingBarista Jam 05/2010 - More peepsBarista Jam 05/2010 - Cups from CroatiaBarista Jam 05/2010 - Matt with a ConaBarista Jam 05/2010 - Heating upBarista Jam 05/2010 - Bubble, bubbleBarista Jam 05/2010 - Physics at workBarista Jam 05/2010 - In goes the grindsBarista Jam 05/2010 - Will it filter?Barista Jam 05/2010 - Cooling it downBarista Jam 05/2010 - Ready to serveBarista Jam 05/2010 - Pouring it outBarista Jam 05/2010 - Behind the counterBarista Jam 05/2010 - A full houseBarista Jam 05/2010 - End of the night