The Recap
2020 Barista Competition Season
The 2020 U.S. Barista championship season was broken down into three parts: 2 qualifying events and nationals. The first Qualifier was held at Dillanos Coffee Roasters in Sumner, WA the weekend of December 7&8, 2019. The second Qualifier was in Nashville, TN the weekend of January 11&12, 2020. The top 18 baristas from each qualifier moved on to compete at Nationals in Costa Mesa on February 21-23, 2020 to see who would be crowned to represent the United States at the World Barista Championships! Below is a recap of each of the Glitter Cat Baristas competitions and how they ranked.
At the Qualifiers, competitors had 8 minutes to serve four judges and espresso and milk beverages. Those who made it to Nationals then had 15 minutes to serve those two courses plus a signature beverage. It’s a lot to do in 8 or 15 minutes and we could not be more proud of what each of these baristas showcased.
UNITED STATES BARISTA CHAMPIONSHIPS NATIONAL PLACEMENTS
USBC photos by Paige Elizabeth Hicks for Wilbur Curtis unless noted otherwise
Kae Bonaguro
(they/them)
Glitter Cat 2020
Qualifier Ranking - 9th
Nationals Placement - 32nd
The only Glitter Cat Barista 2020 to make USBC, Kae, a non-binary videogame fantasia had never been seen before on this stage and the energy Kae brought throughout this season propelled us forward and made us more excited than we’ve ever been to be involved in this community and help folx represent themselves and others on the competition stage.
Anthony Ragler
(he/him)
Glitter Cat 2019
Qualifier Ranking - 4th
Nationals Placement - 6th
The second Glitter Cat to make Finals and as usual, we were never ready for what Anthony had to say. His call to respect and promote black coffee professionals at every step of the supply chain reverberated in a message that stuck with everyone and applause that could have taken the whole convention center into the ground. The People’s Champion.
photo by Liz Chai for Sprudge Media
Elisabeth Johnson
(she/her)
Glitter Cat 2019
Qualifier Ranking - 18th
Nationals Placement - 7th
Multi-talented Elisabeth just keeps getting better and with a mere half point separating her from the finals, she’s clearly among the greats. She calls for more investment in barista education while also competing in cup tasters, opening coffee shops, and raising a kid. We’re always in awe of what she has to bring to the table.
Rodrigo Vargas
(they/them)
Glitter Cat 2019
Qualifier Ranking - 8th
Nationals Placement - 12th
Rodrigo kept the flame alive with a presentation that showed their improving skill and confidence after an incredible first year competing last year. With an improved ranking and growing legion of fans, Rodrigo is one to keep watching. Can we also point out that they had dry ice, a siphon, beautiful displays, and that’s only the start of the table set up? We Stan.
Topher Ou
(he/him)
Glitter Cat 2019
Qualifier Ranking - 17th
Nationals Placement - 27th
To go from disqualifying last year to one of the top 30 baristas in the nation this year is a trajectory befitting Topher, who approaches competition like an Olympian in training. Topher’s determination will almost certainly take him to the top and the growth we saw this year was astounding. While fierce and hard-working, Topher kept us smiling with sea-foam green smirking demitasse cups!
Michelle Johnson
(she/her)
Adopted Cat**
Qualifier Ranking - 15th
Nationals Placement - 28th
Forget what you know about The Chocolate Barista. Michelle is, plain and simple, really fucking good at making coffee. Her presentation highlighted the black and brown women who harvested, roasted, and prepared her coffee and we couldn’t have been prouder to know her than when she shouted out herself in her after-interview. Shout out to Michelle.
Adam Jacksonbey
(he/him)**
Adopted Cat**
Qualifier Ranking - 12th
Nationals Placement - 35th
Adam has spent his whole career championing and supporting others and we couldn’t be more thrilled that he made it to the nationals stage for the first time this year! With a bath bomb signature beverage and bomb-ass soundtrack he staked his claim for coffee glory and made those who already adore him for what he brings to his community watch in awe as he presented all of himself on that stage.
Tyler Montague
(he/him)**
Adopted Cat**
Qualifier Ranking - 12th
Nationals Placement - 19th
Tyler came this close to moving on to semifinals in an increasingly competitive field on his first go at this and you certainly haven’t seen the last of him. The flair of seeing his signature beverage topped with a lemon mist from a gorgeous old perfume bottle? The smoothness of his presentation? Tyler is it, y’all.
Photo by Liz Chai for Sprudge Media
**This year we allocated funds to support four Glitter Cat Baristas through a follow-up bootcamp post qualifiers. Since only one GCBarista made it through to Nationals (Kae!) we invited Michelle, Adam, and Tyler to join the bootcamp. We could not be more grateful then to expand the Glitter Cat community with these three Adopted Cats!
QUALIFIER PRESENTATIONS & PLACEMENTS
All qualifier photos taken by Elizabeth Chai for Sprudge Media
Eve Wieser
(she/her)
Glitter Cat 2020
Sumner Qualifier - 38
Eve started us off and set the bar high for the weekend. Sharing her story as a trans woman in coffee and being her own self-advocate, I am tearing up remembering the confidence with which she shared her story and implores us all to do better.
Selina Gonzales
(they/them)
Glitter Cat 2020
Sumner Qualifier - 20
Selina, a seasoned competitor, missed qualifying by two points in a very tough field of competitors. She had candles on her table, immaculate tech points, and told us that we should not fear our own happiness as she, for the first time, is learning to embrace hers. Thank you for the reminder. We will see you on the Nationals stage.
Zach Thanasilangkul
(he/him)
Glitter Cat 2020
Sumner Qualifier - 29
Zach called time and dove into a data-driven presentation leading with the question, “When we set out to do good, how do we know that our actions will actually make a difference?” His presentation brought back memories of when Anthony Ragler started his first presentation only last year.
Jake King
(he/him)
Glitter Cat 2020
Sumner Qualifier - 40
Jake continued talking about changing perceptions, trusting yourself, and taking risks. From finding a coffee from the Bootcamp to finding and using resources, Jake is an inspiration to us and to many others, that we belong, and surprises wait for us around many corners. And, I still remember those London fog milk bevvies.
Mars Hopkins
(she/her)
Glitter Cat 2020
Nashville Qualifier - 40
Mars, thank you for showing us that being yourself and having fun is the most important part of these events. It is rare to get a standing ovation after a presentation and you GOT ONE. From announcing “Partake!” as she served the espresso course and not crying over spilled milk, Mars represents the best energy of Barista competition and you will be seeing more of her. We are so proud of you, Mars!
Nicole Henderson
(she/her)
Glitter Cat 2020
Nashville Qualifier - 49
From the moment she stepped into the venue, Nicole was focused and ready. She stood on stage representing deaf baristas and shared her struggle with access to jobs and getting involved with specialty coffee. Her professionalism is unmatched. She hopes her being on stage will encourage more deaf baristas to feel they belong on the competition stages and beyond and we have no doubt that she has inspired them as she has inspired us.
Cydni Patterson
(she/her)
Glitter Cat 2020
Nashville Qualifier - 39
Cydni walked onto that stage wearing black cat earrings to channel Axel Cat and gave a presentation full of passion, encouragement, and generosity. She used a coffee that from seed to cup was cared for by women and non-binary folx and she represented that coffee and it’s journey beautifully! She is a powerful force who instead of making a place at the table is making the damn table.