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For Immediate Release
Contact: Andrew Hetzel
Phone: +1 (808) 990-8717
E-mail: ahetzel@cafemakers.com

Stephen Morrissey of Ireland is crowned 2008 World Barista Champion in Copenhagen
Stephen Morrissey of Ireland edges out the top baristas from 50 countries to win the 2008 World Barista Championship, held June 19-22 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK (June 22, 2008) – Stephen Morrissey of Ireland has won the 2008 World Barista Championship in Copenhagen, Denmark.

National champions from 51 countries converged in Copenhagen to compete for the title of world’s top barista in front of a live audience of several hundred spectators and thousands of online viewers worldwide.
As the winner of the 2008 Competition, Mr. Morrissey receives a highly sought after La Marzocco GS/3 espresso machine and a Compak K-10 WBC espresso grinder in addition to his prestigious title.

Each competitor prepared 4 espressos, 4 cappuccinos and 4 original signature drinks of their own creation to exacting standards using state of the art La Marzocco FB/80 espresso machines and Compak K-10 WBC coffee grinders for a panel of experienced WBC certified judges. Seven judges, including one head judge, 4 sensory judges and 2 technical judges evaluated the taste of beverages served, cleanliness, creativity, technical skill and overall presentation of the competitors.

The runner up was David Makin from Australia, followed by 3rd place Liesbeth Sleijster (Netherlands), 4th place Daniel Remheden (Sweden), 5th place Michael Yung (Canada), and 6th place Soren Stiller Markussen (Denmark). Full results are posted at our website.

Next year’s World Barista Championship will be held April 16-19, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia U.S.A. in conjunction with the 21st annual Specialty Coffee Association of America Symposium and Exposition.

About the World Barista Championship
World Barista Championship UK Ltd is jointly owned and operated by the Specialty Coffee Associations of America and Europe. The first WBC competition took place in Monte Carlo in October 2000 and has since held annual competitions Miami (2001), Oslo (2002), Boston (2003), Trieste (2004), Seattle (2005), Berne (2006) and Tokyo (2007). The organization’s next event will be held in Atlanta, Georgia U.S.A. April 16-19, 2009 in conjunction with the 21st annual Specialty Coffee Association of America Symposium and Exposition. For more information, please visit the WBC http://www.worldbaristachampionship.com.
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