Bean Scene Kelowna Barista Jam
On the auspicious date of February 14th, Kelowna’s Bean Scene coffee house held their first open barista jam/latte art throwdown. Bean Scene’s baristas were on hand, pouring in a head to head format against each other as well as other baristas. While latte art was the draw, this event was more about fostering some community within the Okanagan’s disparate “coffee scene”. Baristas from other Kelowna shops, and even a Vernon cafe (Bean to Cup Silver Star) showed up to pour some art and enjoy a night centred on coffee geekery.
The turnout for the event surprised me, as there were many membersof the general public . It was nice to see something like this attract and hold the attention of people outside the industry, -especially in the Okanagan. The success of this night is a precursor for nights to come, and shows that there is support for such events here.
I was told that Bean Scene Kelowna is looking at holding barista jams on a frequent basis as a way to get their baristas excited about and ready to compete in the Coffee Fest Latte Art Competition, held every few months. There is some interest on the part of at least two Vernon shops to hold barista jams as well.
I had camera in hand at the jam, and was able to get a few shots while I wasn’t busy talking shop or pouring (click on thumbnails for larger picture)…
Community
My last post here detailed my attempt to put together an article about local coffee roasters of the Okanagan. At the time I was excited about the idea of putting a bunch of locally roasted coffees on one table and formally cupping them. I wanted both to promote local roasters as well as to inform readers of who was doing a standout job. I put together a small cupping team of industry professionals and arranged a date for the event. I had sent out emails to each roaster and waited for replies. I received replies from three of seven roasters, two that seemed excited to help and to provide coffee, and a third that declined flatly, for no apparent reason, and did not respond to further emails.
I sent out another email to the remaining roasters, clarifying what I thought may have been some ambiguities in the original in the hopes of getting them on board. What happened next was nothing. No more replies, no explanations, nothing at all. In the meantime two roasters that sell their coffee in local cafes but are based out of the area offered to provide some coffees. I declined, explaining that I hoped to showcase local roasters specifically.
Weeks went by with no response from the rest of the roasters, and the situation has not changed now, nearly two months later.
There’s a rich irony here in the fact that the non-local roasters offered coffee unsolicited. I’ve met representatives from these companies (Fratello and Oughtred) and they are coffee people, excited about their product and coffee in general. Likewise the local roasters that wanted to participate (Cherry Hill and Backyard Beans, though I haven’t met the people at Backyard Beans as I don’t often get out to Summerland, they did offer to have me to their roastery for a full cupping of all their coffees).
Of course I was disappointed. But maybe not surprised. The lack of response is indicative of a larger problem I think. I’ve stated before that what separates vibrant scenes (coffee or otherwise) from struggling ones is the sense of community, of solidarity with those that you share a passion or an area with. In Vancouver or in Victoria roasters and baristas and customers and other industry people cross pollinate, they talk, they get together, share ideas, get excited. In the Okanagan it seems that shops compete, they hoard “secrets”, they jealously guard all they have and consider other shops rivals, often to be regarded with disdain. They are often convinced that their way is the best, that everyone is inferior. They talk with disdain of those who’ve tried something new. There are simmering, unspoken , petty passive aggressive squables among those who can’t seem to see past their own noses. I’ve talked to people who have tried putting together events for the small coffee community here, I’ve tried it myself. There are always supporters, but they often seemed outweighed by those who simply come up with reasons why “we can’t do it”.
There are a bunch of people in coffee here who are truly community minded. They want to get together and share what they have to help create a diverse community. They know that what is good for one is often good for the rest. These people are terrific, and are real gems for the community.
What I hope is that at some point coffee businesses in the Okanagan can get past petty competition, and really try to engage one another, to foster creativity and sharing of ideas. I’d like people to recognize that they are in this together, driven by a common passion, and that there is plenty of room, and plenty of people to provide excellent coffee for.
So here’s what I ask: If you are a barista, customer, owner, manager, roaster, or anyone else involved in coffee here, go over to the nearest independent shop that isn’t yours, get a drink, and chat. See what you learn, see what you can teach. Let them know who you are and what you do. Bring on a guest barista, coordinate a barista jam or public cupping. Maybe even make a friend. Break down the barriers of competition and make yourself part of the greater community.
