While most civilian coffee sippers aren’t aware of the world’s many coffee competitions swirling around us, right now our High Plains home is serving as one of 10 cities across the US to host the 2019 US Coffeechamps Preliminaries. This weekend in Amarillo, local caffeine peddlers Krystal and Patrick Burns of Palace Coffee Company welcome the regional competition as a celebration of the best baristas and brewers on the scene today.
This Friday through Sunday, competitors from all over Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas & Arkansas will compete in a variety of tasks. The top six baristas + top four brewers in each competition will get a secured spot at the regional level in either Denver or Nashville. Plus, Palace will fête attendees with an evening party each night.
If you wanted to check it out, here’s the schedule of events. For more info, find Palace Coffee on Facebook or email Patrick and Krystal at info@palacecoffee.co.
FRIDAY NIGHT:
Blind Cupping: 4:00PM-6:00PM
Competitor Practice 6:00PM-10:00PM
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**Opening Night Party 8:00PM-10:00PM
@ Copper Fire Grill (2800 Civic Circle, Amarillo), featuring a “mocktail” competition where competitors will use cold brew, Liber & Co bar syrups, and ingredients of their choice to create a mocktail to be judged and scored. Plus, the top two drink makers will win cash and prizes!
SATURDAY:
Competitor Practice Time 7:00AM-5:45PM
Barista Competition 9:00AM-7:00PM
Brewers Competition 1:00PM-6:00PM
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**Latte Art Throwdown 7:00PM-10:00PM
@ Palace Coffee Company - Downtown (817 S Polk, Amarillo), where competitors will go head to head in a double elimination bracket. The top three baristas will share $2,500 in cash and prizes.
SUNDAY:
Competitor Practice 7:00AM-4:30PM
Barista Competition 9:00AM-5:30PM
Brewers Competition 9:00AM-4:00PM
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**Closing Night Party 8:00PM-10:00PM
@ Six Car Pub & Brewery (625 S Polk, Amarillo) with DJ Kent Hilton, plus great food and beverages from Six Car.