The Recap
2020 Roasters Competition Season
The 2020 U.S. Roaster championship season was broken down into three parts: 2 qualifying events and nationals. The first Qualifier was in Nashville, TN the weekend of January 11&12, 2020. The second was in Costa Mesa on February 21-23, 2020. The top 12 roasters from each qualifier moved on to compete at Nationals. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic US-CIGS, US-Roasters, and US-Cup Tasters were initially postponed and ultimately canceled.
Even though the 2021 competition season is effectively canceled, those who qualified for Nationals will have the opportunity to complete their season during SCA Expo 2021 in April in New Orleans. Below is a recap of each of the Glitter Cat CIGS competitions and how they ranked. Roasters were shipped 25 pounds of green coffee in advance of the Qualifier to profile, roast, and make flavor calls. They then presented a five-minute presentation based around their approach to roasting the coffee, final roast recipe, and flavor calls. While none of the Glitter Cat Roasters qualified for Nationals we are beyond proud of them and you better believe we are making waves for next year.
ROASTERS COMPETITORS
Alex McClean Egan
(they/she)
Glitter Cat Roaster 2020
Qualifier Ranking - 14
Our joyful Alex is pushing the industry forward with progressive technique and dedication. They came within ¼ of a point of qualifying for nationals and have the drive and energy to take it all the way in a competition that needs them. Working hard in San Jose, CA we cannot wait to snag a bag of some of the Specialty Robusta they roasted!
Baylee Engberg
(she/her)
Glitter Cat Roaster 2020
Qualifier Ranking - 29
If you want to know how to make a visual aid, talk to Baylee who had by far the biggest and most informative one. The amount of knowledge she showcased on that stage in five minutes was truly incredible. Baylee not only competed this weekend but has helped out at so many Glitter Cat events. Thank you for always showing up!
Carlos Sims, Jr
(he/him)
Glitter Cat Roaster 2020
Qualifier Ranking - 26
Carlos balances an independent spirit and family man persona that makes him one to watch in this industry and a truly joyful Glitter Cat. He is the most comforting presence in any room and as he takes his operation to Hawaii, we are confident that he and his family will expand the glitter to the furthest and most beautiful reaches of this nation!
Christina Chin
(she/her)
Glitter Cat Roaster 2020
Qualifier Ranking - 25
Christina brought the Roaster cohort from mere roasters to a collective group. Focus, determination, and drive are what Christina runs on but intentional relationships and caring for others come first. We were constantly impressed by her caring for her fellow Glitter Cats and she can roast some damn good coffee.
Emily Smith
(she/her)
Glitter Cat Roaster 2020
Qualifier Ranking - 20
A Glitter Cat is in it for their community above all and few exemplify this as much as Emily. She’s a damn good roaster who at every step of this competition shared knowledge and feedback with her immediate community and is dedicated to the evolution and much-needed structural change of this competition. We’re with you all the way, Emily!
Jarreau Harris
(they/them)
Glitter Cat Roaster 2020
Qualifier Ranking - 28
Time and time again, Roasters presentations are pretty much the same, and then comes JR telling truths between roast curves. Standing among three typical competitors who presented as white men, JR talked about the need for representation and demanded the attention it needs. We can’t have a coffee industry without more diversity at all levels. The strength of our friendship with JR has grown incredibly and we are proud they are a Glitter Cat and one that is standing up for the change that needs to happen.
Jess Harmon
(they/them)
Glitter Cat Roaster 2020
Qualifier Ranking - 26
One of the few Michigan competitors and Jess brought the roasters heat! The day before competition started, they grabbed a few other Glitter Cats and found a grinder at the center to use to cup coffees as a team, getting flavor calls and collaborating. Now that’s professionalism. They also competed in the Mystery Box Throwdown, placed high, and might have inspired them to compete in CIGS next year!! This was Jess’s first competition year and we bet it is far from their last.
Kebechet Moxen
(xey/xem)
Glitter Cat Roaster 2020
Qualifier Ranking - 25
Kebechet brings the reptilian and amphibian energy to the coffee industry and wow, are we better for it. Xey are an independent roaster who brought great knowledge and their pets into xer routine, and if that ain’t bringing glitter to this competition, we don’t know what is!
Kris Carlson
(she/her)
Glitter Cat Roaster 2020
Qualifier Ranking - 31
Kris came in with the least experience roasting but immediately impressed us at her bootcamp with her determination to absorb as much knowledge as possible and stand proudly alongside her peers, which she did. The amount of visible hard work she put into this competition, all the while staying engaged with her community, is palpable and we are so ready to see what she does next.
Sum Ngai
(she/her)
Glitter Cat Roaster 2020
Qualifier Ranking - 13
We talk a lot about building community here at Glitter Cat and Sum is the epitome of a community builder. Sum not only competed in Roasters but roasted coffee for two other competitors for Brewers Cup: Dre and Peace. The precision and skill Sum brings to the US Coffee Championships challenges the status quo and is changing the game. Stay woke, Sum’s here.