Scott Conary to Train judges & act as Head Judge at the Nicaragua National Barista Championship

Open Eye Cafe & Carrboro Coffee Roastery Owner, Scott Conary to Train judges & act as Head Judge at the National Barista Championship In Nicaragua.

November 19-22nd, 2009.

TheCompetition takes place during the Coffee Fest Convention, held at theMall Galleries Santo Domingo, in the capital city of Managua,Nicaragua.

http://www.acen.org.ni/

Open Eye Café Owner, Scott Conary, to Train judges & act as Head Judge at the Inaugural United Arab Emirates Barista Championship In Dubai.

Open Eye Café Owner, Scott Conary, to Train judges & act as Head Judge at the Inaugural United Arab Emirates Barista Championship In Dubai.

The Specialty Coffee & Tea Convention November 10 - 12, 2009 Dubai, UAE.

This exciting new exhibition, the three-day convention, will feature the 1st UAE Barista Championship and well-targeted educational sessions to help participants in the Arab region and beyond.
http://www.coffeeandteaconvention.com/

Open Eye Cafe continues to support our local community, this time thru radio!

We are now underwriting WCOMs Soundtrack Central show! Check out the eclectic mix of music from the movies every Saturday evening from 6 to 7 pm with Lisa Marie on WCOM. WCOM 103.5 is Carrboro and Chapel Hill's very own radio station located in downtown Carrboro. Tune to 103.5 FM to hear Soundtrack Central and many other locally produced shows and local music. Open Eye is proud to help support WCOM in their efforts promote local talent. For more information please go to http://www.wcomfm.org/.

Coffee Cupping with Honduras Coffee Farmers

The Open Eye Café &
Carrboro Coffee Roasters Present:
Coffee Cupping with Honduran Coffee Farmers.

Drink & talk coffee with thepeople who grow it for us!

Join COMUCAP
(La Coordinadora de Mujeres Campesinas de La Paz),
an all-women CO-OP in the Mountainous Marcala Region of Honduras, where they grow Certified Organic & Fair Trade Coffee.

Head Cupper Nancy Hernandez will talk about their efforts in Organic coffee farming and promoting women’s rights integration into the lives of members and families in Honduras.
Saturday, 7/11 – 3pm

Caffe Driade featured in NC Signature Magazine January/February 2009 Issue!

Caffe Driade featured in NC Signature Magazine January/February 2009 Issue!

NC Signature has written a great piece on Caffe Driade. Find it in the 'Get-Aways' section on page 62 of the Jan/Feb month's issue. Beatiful pics in a 4 page spread! If you missed the issue, you can see the pics and writing on the wall at the Caffe, as you head toward the backroom.

Carrboro Coffee Roasters - Over 25 Years of Sustainable, Passionate Experience!

Serving coffee, roasted daily, from Chapel Hill/ Carrboro's only artisan roaster
-Carrboro Coffee Company !

Small batches, roasted fresh every day on site, ensure
you get only the freshest, most cared for coffee around.

Passionately handcrafted by roasters with over 25 years experience.
Roasted in Carrboro - it doesn't get more local!

World Barista Competition on Colbert Report!

Stephen Colbert jokingly takes a look into the world of WBC...and laughs at *bucks....comparing them to Footlocker employees!

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/226016/april-28-2009/who-s-not-honoring-me-now----emmys

Carrboro Coffee Roastery Owner / Head Judge interviewed on CNN for 2009 World Barista Competition

Carrboro/Chapel Hill, NC – World Barista Certified (WBC) coffee professional Scott Conary served as a Head Judge at the World Competition on 4/16-19, at the World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA, during the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s (SCAA) Annual Convention; the largest gathering of coffee professionals in the U.S.

CNN Link can be found here: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2009/04/20/barista.battle.cnn

Scott certified to judge by having passed the intense 2 day certification course. Scott is one of only 7 judges from the U.S. to have passed the certification class, and the only judge from NC.
Scott has lived in Carrboro/Chapel Hill since 1995, and has made it his mission to the community he lives in, and the coffee community at large, in his work to marry quality with sustainability by creating “Carrboro’s Living Room” in the Open Eye Café; a luxurious European Garden Café in Caffe Driade, and by sourcing & roasting the best quality coffee the world has to offer, as Carrboro Coffee Roasters.

Scott has been active in judging these coffee competitions since 2003 where he judged the first Southeast Regional Competition that took place in Southern Season’s cooking classroom in Chapel Hill.

Scott has been a WBC judge for the last three years: Berne, Switzerland in 2007; Tokyo, Japan in 2008 where he served as a Head Judge; and Copenhagen, Denmark in 2008; making this years Championship in Atlanta his 4th.
He has also served as a Judge for the Guatemalan, Canadian & Honduran National Barista Competitions in 2007 & 2008, as well as being a current member of the SCAA United Stated Barista Competition (USBC) Committee & Judges Certification Committee.

All Barista competitions worldwide reward demonstrated excellence in the art and skill of preparing and serving espresso. Entrants must make 12 beverages, including four espressos, four cappuccinos and four original signature drinks of their own creation, within 15 minutes in front of a panel of accomplished & certified industry judges. Competitors are based on taste, beverage presentation, technical skills, coffee knowledge and passion, and overall impression.

WBC info:http://www.worldbaristachampionship.com/

Local Barista from Open Eye Cafe featured in new coffee book

3 Local Barista from Open Eye Cafe & Caffe Driade have been featured in a new book
by Michael Turback entitled Coffee Drinks
(published by 10 Speed Press, a premiere publisher out of Berkeley, CA).

http://www.tenspeed.com/store/index.php?main_page=pubs_product_book_jph1_info&products_id=2497

The book features that ultimate expression of unique coffee creations, The Signature Drink - using espresso and unique culinary components -that have been featured in National & Regional Barista Competitions across the U.S. and beyond.

These drinks, according to the guidelines of the competition, are visually stunning, amazingly creative, and best of all, complete knockouts when it comes to taste...specifically the careful balance in blending espresso and the flavors of the components the Barista decides to utilize.

3 drinks featured in the book came from Baristi that work at Scott Conary's Carrboro/ Chapel Hill Cafe's, and were selected for all the reasons above, but also because the Barista finished high overall in the competitions where these drinks were featured!

Lena Abed of the Open Eye Cafe featured her drink, The Kiva Han - 2nd Place Southeast Regional Barista Competition - 2005.

Erik Karlsson of Caffe Driade featured his drink, Swedish Coffee "Cake" - 6th place Southeast Regional Barista Competition 2005.

Elizabeth Justus co-owner of Open Eye Cafe featured her drink the Macchiato Brule which utilized twin brule torches to great effect- 2nd Place Southeast Regional Barista Competition 2003.

Scott Conary, Owner of Open Eye Cafe, Caffe Driade & Carrboro Coffee Company (Chapel Hill & Carrboro's ONLY Coffee Roastery), & International Barista Judge, aided writer Michael Turback (10 Speed Press) with his new book "Coffee Drinks", which has been published and is available for sale.

Michael acknowledges Mr. Conary in helping him compile the drinks and in learning the general knowledge of coffee, and specifically, espresso in regards to the Barista culture, including Barista Competitions.

Mr. Turback notes that in regards to these competitions, "nowhere is coffee more imaginatively explored or more elegantly presented", and that recipe contributors include "notable coffee purveyors and a highly competitive cadre of award winning baristas...who raise the bar and then they jump over it..." .

While meant to highlight the craftsmanship and artisan sensibilities of the Barista & their creations, the book also features easy to follow recipes and descriptions that are accessible to the home brewer/Barista.

The drinks are described both for content and the background or historical context for their creation; such as Lena Abed's Kiva Han, named for the first coffee shop in Constantinople. Her drink echoes the flavors of her Lebanese heritage, featuring cardamom & cinnamon.

for more info on Barista Competitons, coffee in general or the book itself, please contact Scott Conary at coffeescott@gmail.com

OWNER OF OPEN EYE CAFE TO JUDGE UPCOMING WORLD BARISTA COMPETITION

Carrboro/Chapel Hill, NC – Local World Barista Certified (WBC) coffee professional Scott Conary is off to judge the World Competition, after having passed the intense 2 day certification course.

Scott is one of only 7 judges from the U.S. to have passed the certification class, and the only judge from North Carolina.

45 total judges passed the certification from 5 classes held around the world, to be the most accomplished and tested judging pool the competition has seen since its 2000 creation.

Certification courses were held in Guatemala City, Guatemala; Long Beach CA, USA; Melbourne, Australia; Stockholm, Sweden; & Nairobi, Kenya.

2009 WBC takes place 4/16-19 at the World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA, during the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s (SCAA) Annual Convention; the largest gathering of coffee professionals in the U.S.

Scott has been active in judging these coffee competitions since 2003 where he judged the first Southeast Regional Competition that took place in Southern Season’s cooking classroom in Chapel Hill, NC.

Scott has been a WBC judge for the last three years: Berne, Switzerland in 2007; Tokyo, Japan in 2008 where he served as a Head Judge; and Copenhagen, Denmark in 2008; making this years Championship in Atlanta his 4th.

He has also served as a Judge for the Guatemalan, Canadian & Honduran National Barista Competitions in 2008 & 2009, as well as being a current member of the SCAA United Stated Barista Competition (USBC) Committee.

All Barista competitions worldwide reward demonstrated excellence in the art and skill of preparing and serving espresso. Entrants must make 12 beverages, including four espressos, four cappuccinos and four original signature drinks of their own creation, within 15 minutes in front of a panel of accomplished & certified industry judges. Competitors are based on taste, beverage presentation, technical skills, coffee knowledge and passion, and overall impression.

Those that might be interested in learning more about coffee and related subjects should consider taking either one of his training courses, or coming to the monthly free classes at the Open Eye Café, called the Learning Series; where topics will cycle thru various aspects of the coffee/tea industry and beyond. Visit the Open Eye Café website for topics and dates ( www.openeyecafe.com ). You can also contact him directly at scott@openeyecafe.com

Local Coffee Roastery/Cafe owner achieves World Certification/recognition

Scott Conary, Owner of Carrboro Coffee Co. (Chapel Hill & Carrboro’s only coffee roastery) & Open Eye Café completed & passed the World Barista Championship Judges Certification course/workshop which took place January 12th in Long Beach, CA.

Scott became 1 of only 13 judges that passed in this U.S. & Canada training and is now one of only 7 judges from the U.S. Certified to judge the World Barista Championship (WBC) held this April 2009 in Atlanta, GA.

30 judges participated in the intensive two-day course that put the entrants thru rigorous testing, both written and practical/hands-on, to evaluate their ability to use these skills & knowledge and apply them to the competition format.

Scott has judged at the last 3 WBC competitions and functioned in all possible roles (sensory, technical & head judge). He has been active in Judging since 2003 where he judged at the first Southeast Regional copmpetition that took place at A Southern Season’s cooking classroom in Chapel Hill.

Those that might be interested in learning more about coffee and related subjects should consider taking either one of his training courses, or coming to the monthly free classes at the Open Eye Café, called The Learning Series; where topics will cycle thru various aspects of the coffee/tea industry and beyond. visit the Open Eye Cafe website for topics & dates (http://www.openeyecafe.com/) .
You can also contact him directly at scott@openeyecafe.com .

All Barista competitions worldwide reward demonstrated excellence in the art and skill of preparing and serving espresso. Entrants must make 12 beverages, including four espressos, four cappuccinos and four original signature drinks of their own creation within 15 minutes in front of a panel of accomplished & certified industry judges. Competitors are judged on taste, beverage presentation, technical skills, coffee knowledge & passion, and overall impression.

WBC Certification Program Description (adapted from the WBC website – link below):
The program for the regional workshops have been developed by the WBC Judges Certification Committee and the WBC Board of DirectorsThe workshop builds upon and tests the experience of those who have been judging in regional and national barista competitions. It includes a variety of training methodologies and includes a series of tests. There is an intensive written exam focusing on the WBC Rules & Regulations, sensory judge responsibilities, technical judge responsibilities, overall scoresheet familiarity, as well as general coffee knowledge (growing regions, processing, varietals and how all those relate to cup quality).

Hands-on practical tests involve coffee tasting exercises for sensory judges, and technical skills for technical judges… all the skills and knowledge required to be successful as a judge.The goals are to drive participation in the national competitions and to continue to build and develop the expertise at the world competition level. The certification tests are designed to be reviewed objectively regardless of experience, reputations, or backgrounds. Certification will be based on a "pass or fail" determination.Each workshop is 2 days long and requires full participation. By conducting the workshops in multiple regions, we will have certified judges in different regions and encourage increased national judging representation at the annual WBC.

http://www.worldbaristachampionship.com/judges.htm

Past WBC Champions from its inception:
Year – Location – Champion, Home country:
2000- Monte Carlo,Monaco - Robert Thoresen, Norway
2001- Miami, U.S.A. - Martin Hildebrandt, Denmark
2002- Oslo, Norway - Fritz Storm, Denmark
2003 -Boston, U.S.A. - Paul Bassett, Australia
2004 -Trieste, Italia - Tim Wendelboe, Norway
2005 -Seattle, U.S.A - Trouls Overdahl Poulsen, Denmark
2006- Berne, Switzerland - Klaus Thomsen, Denmark
2007 -Tokyo, Japan - James Hoffmann, U.K.
2008- Copenhagen, Denmark - Stephen Morrissey, Ireland
2009 - Atlanta, U.S.A.

Local Coffee Professional served as the Head Judge to oversee America’s Best Barista's as they Competed for Title of United States Barista Champion.

Scott Conary; owner of The Open Eye Cafe and Carrboro Coffee Company served as the Head Judge at the US Barista Championship (USBC) in Portland Oregon, March 5-8 2009.

In Portland, top Baristas in the country competed for the national title in this four-day competition . The winner of the USBC will represent the United States in the World Barista Championship in Atlanta, Georgia, April 16-19, 2009 (www.usbc2009.com), hosted by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) in conjunction with its annual exposition, which is the largest gathering of coffee professionals in the world.

Out of the original 61 competitiors from around the country, Michael Philips from Intelligentsia coffee in Chicago was the National Champion for 2009.

Competitors are required to make 12 beverages, including four espressos, four cappuccinos and four original signature drinks of their own creation within 15 minutes in front of a panel of accomplished industry judges. Seven USBC-certified judges, including one head judge, two technical judges and four sensory judges, carefully evaluate and score each of the contenders. Competitors were judged on taste, beverage presentation, technical skills, coffee knowledge & passion and overall impression.

About Scott Conary
For the last 14 years Scott has worked in the coffee industry in everything from green coffee buying to coffee roasting & in the cafe making drinks. He travels extensively to work with coffee farmers in their own country, to train them and also learn from them, working toward a sustainable model of coffee consumption. He has served on the Roaster/retailer committee in the SCAA, and is currently on the USBC Committee in an attempt to further the barista and coffee industry. He judges coffee competitions around the world as a USBC & World Barista Competition (WBC) Certified judge.

About the SCAA
The SCAA is the world’s largest coffee trade association dedicated to creating a vibrant specialty coffee community. We recognize, develop and promote specialty coffee by setting and maintaining quality standards for the industry; conducting research on coffee, equipment and perfection of craft; and providing education, training, resources and business services for members. Celebrating 26 years of success, the strength of our organization is reflective of our members who represent more than forty countries and every segment of the Specialty Coffee industry, from coffee growers to coffee roasters and retailers. Together, we ensure our industry continues to thrive. Visit www.scaa.org.

Open Eye Café offers elegant Art Tea

Art Tea from the Fujian Province...

Green tea leaves are hand picked & then sewn by hand with flowers grown in Fu’An, Fujian Province … Beautiful & delicious!

2 types available to drink or to bring home:

Jasmine Fairy Maidens
This tea is gently flavored with jasmine flowers and a tall container is necessary to display the lanky Jasmine flower as it unfolds. Tones of Jasmine accent the sweet and vegetal flavor of this tea.

Seven Sons CongratulatingThe green and white tea buds are pressed into a bulb with a red flower. When placed into hot water, the bulb blossoms revealing the red flower surrounded by a white crown. The light tea is a pink color.

Carrboro Coffee Company - Get Local - Get Fresh!

Serving coffee, roasted daily, from Chapel Hill/ Carrboro's only artisan roaster -
Carrboro Coffee Company !
Small batches, roasted fresh every day on site, ensure you get only
the freshest, most cared for coffee around.
Roasted in Carrboro, passionately handcrafted by roasters with over 25 years experience.
It doesn't get more local!

Free PBS Community Film Screening at Open Eye Cafe

Groundbreaking Free Community Screenings of PBS Programming Launches Fourth Season in Chapel Hill / Carrboro at Open Eye Café.
Community Cinema Screening Series Brings Local Perspective to National Issues with Feature Films on Racial Injustice, Gang Warfare, America's National Debt and the Military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy, Among Others.
The Independent Television Service (ITVS), co-presenter of the Emmy Award–winning PBS series Independent Lens, today announced a fourth consecutive season of its groundbreaking Community Cinema program.
A free monthly screening series engaging communities through film, Community Cinema connects people with local resources and organizations, such as Open Eye Café, on important social issues in more than 50 cities across the country.
Once a month from September through May, Community Cinema presents preview screenings of nine Independent Lens episodes in key cultural and civic spaces across the country.

The Community Cinema screenings in Chapel Hill / Carrboro take place at Open Eye Café in Downtown Carrboro. Each screening is followed by a lively panel discussion or other presentation that showcases local community organizations, resources and opportunities to get involved.

Screenings take place about one month prior to the national television broadcast of each film on PBS. The Film Series will be shown at Open Eye Café every 2nd Thursday of the month Panel discussion to follow. More info

The Learning Series: Coffee Classes & more at Open Eye Cafe

The Open Eye Café & Carrboro Coffee Company Present: The Learning Series Coffee Classes & More at Open Eye Café Every 3rd Thursday of the month @ 7pm An Hour or so of Facts & Fun! Open to Our Community, Free of Charge Topics will cycle thru the months with offerings such as:
Coffee Tasting 101
Coffee Equipment & Home Use
Coffee Cupping
Espresso 101 at Home & in the Café
Tea Tasting 101

Please RSVP to coffeescott@gmail.com as space is limited.

Back Patio Now Open !!!

Come enjoy the new outdoor space provided for the community by the Open Eye Café. The Patio is open during normal Cafe business hours. It is located out "back" along Roberson street (entrance from inside the Cafe only). Simply follow the hallway (and signs) as it curves to the left.