Earlier this month Anette spent two days in Stockholm, Sweden undergoing a series of gruelling workshops and exams in order to qualify as a judge for the upcoming World Barista Championships. The role of the judges in the WBC is of course to find a worthy champion, but it’s long been felt that the judges were one of the weaker link in the WBC system, and that the criteria for becoming a judge should be much harder than they have been. Thus, the exams and tests designed for this years certifications have been made very difficult, trying to ensure that the national champions who will gather in Atlanta in April will be performing in front of a panel of highly qualified judges. As a competitor, nothing is worse than being judged by someone who’s opinion you neither respect nor trust.
Out of the 25 Stockholm candidates only 15 passed, which now brings the total of certified judges worldwide to 45. Only some of these 45 will be invited to judge in Atlanta, but all that took the workshops in Guatemala City, Long Beach, Melbourne and Stockholm will have gained skills and perspectives that will help improve the levels of their regional and national competitions. Another certification might still take place in Nairobi, Kenya- details can be found on the WBC website.
Congratulations to Anette, although if she goes to Atlanta I’ll be stuck alone at work for a week. 
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Comments ( 14 )
Don’t worry James. I’m not going either. Someone has to mind the business, right
Many congrats to Anette. She’ll be a kick-ass judge (but in a good way) and I know the kind of feedback she can give to competitors after the competition is just what we need to push things forward and get more focused on taste.
Klaus added these pithy words on
Jan 30 09 at
4:58 pm
sLucey added these pithy words on 
Congratulations Anette, I look forward to seeing you in Atlanta. Better yet, I hope to make to the UK at some point this year.
Poul Mark added these pithy words on
Jan 30 09 at
10:18 pm
Jason Dominy added these pithy words on 
Nick Ludlam added these pithy words on Yay Anette! Put the smackdown on those playa-hating cappuccinos….
bea added these pithy words on
Jan 31 09 at
4:17 pm
Awesome! This is great news – the challenge is all about the coffee. Well done
Cuth added these pithy words on
Jan 31 09 at
11:11 pm
Aida Batlle added these pithy words on 
congratulations Anette!!!
Hopefully I meet you in Atlanta then
BTW: thanks for the coffees!! Makes my day
Huuuugs
Gunnhild added these pithy words on
Feb 08 09 at
10:44 am
Congrats, Anette! As if the sight of an approaching world cup tasting champ weren’t already enough to strike fear into the hearts of anyone behind a machine ;P
luca added these pithy words on
Feb 08 09 at
12:09 pm
thats fantastic, you’ll be soooooo cool as a WBC judge!!!!!! well done!
subi added these pithy words on
Mar 01 09 at
6:53 pm
