Ms. Lancaster will compete alongside 60 other baristas from across the country in the  two day event.  This is the first appearance on the National Stage, for Axum Coffee and The Orlando Cat Café.  Abby will serve a single origin coffee which will be hand selected and hand roasted by Neal Faul, Axum’s roaster from Winter Garden.

Barrister Competitions are a  great way to gain an insider’s look into what it takes to prepare great coffee. Competitors train for months in advance of performance taking great care in selecting their coffees, perfecting their technique and creating their signature beverage to wow the judges.

Competitions are highly stylized with variations in competitor dress, presentation and music selection. Competitors are required to prepare 4 espressos, 4 cappuccinos and a signature beverage of their design and are judged by a panel of four sensory judges, two technical judges and one head judge. A signature beverage is a highly innovative, freestyle espresso-based beverage created by the barista for the competition. As they ready their beverages, contestants engage the audience, explaining their actions and selections, while seven judges watch and evaluate their every move – all in pursuit of espresso perfection

 “I couldn’t be more excited” said Ms. Lancaster when asked about the event.  “I will be proud to represent the Orlando Cat Café and to explain the concept of pairing delicious coffee with adoptable kitties”.  

Good luck Abby!