Things are starting to simmer around the office as we put the final touches on the fall barista jam, which will run next Friday and Saturday, November 7-8. Sessions are starting to fill up, so please register soon. You can do so at our homesite, or by filling out the registration form here.

If you have any questions about the jam, feel free to call us at 314.727.9991 or send an email to mikem@kaldiscoffee.com

...from Tricia

This past Saturday, the “Kaldi’s Coffee Crusaders” stepped out at Creve Coeur Park to walk for a cure to diabetes. This is the first year that we participated and it won’t be our last. Our little sister, Tori, was diagnosed with Type I diabetes about 2 months ago. On behalf of our sister and the millions of people with diabetes, we are proud to say that we raised almost $2000 in less than a week for this important cause. The funds we raised from our walk will be used to support research, information and advocacy efforts to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. WE really believe there will be a cure soon for this disease!

We had a great time walking the 3.7 mile path around the lake had a lot of support from family and friends and we can’t thank everyone enough. Evidently the St. Louis Step Out for Diabetes Walk is one the most attended diabetes walks out of 200 cities in the nation. Thanks to Josh and Tyler for brewing over 40 gallons of Kaldi’s coffee at 4:30a.m. for 900 diabetes volunteers and walkers. You guys are amazing.

Visit our team page if you are interested in walking with us next year.

above left, "Kaldi's Coffee Crusaders"
above right, Sampson Meyerott - team MVD
left, Tricia and Lesley

Just a few updates on the barista jam.

First, we are excited to announce two very special guests! Jon Lewis of Long Story Short Coffee will be presenting at the Jam on how to combine customer service, quality, and passion at the retail level. Pete Licata, the reigning midwest regional barista champion, will be guiding first-time-barista competitors through the rigors of how to practice and prepare.

Second, we will be screening the documentary "The Perfect Cappuccino" on Friday evening for the very first time in St. Louis.

Third, registration forms and the jam schedule are now available. You can also link to them from our homepage.

Sign up quick! Space is quite limited.

above right, Jon Lewis.

left, Pete Licata.

We're excited to announce the 2008 Fall Barista Jam. The event will take place at our roastery on November 7 and 8 and will focus on raising quality at the retail level and preparing for barista competitions. We have some very special guests who will be presenting along with our talented staff of baristas. Check back here, at our homesite or on our events calendar for more details in the week to come regarding registration and schedule.

The jam will include the following:

• "Love Your Brewer and It Will Love You" presentation
• "Understanding Co-ops, Microlots, Cultivation, and Quality" presentation
• "Barista Competition for Dummies" workshop
• "Cupping Challenge" workshop
• "Competition Demonstration"
• "Quality, passion, and service at retail" presentation
• Latte Art Competition
• Brewing Methods demonstration and instruction
• Open espresso machine time and coaching
  
• and more to be announced soon

Contact Mike with questions or comments about the jam.

Check out our new calendar>>>

At Kaldi's, we're doing our best to share the coffee love. One way we do this is through public educational events such as cuppings, espresso tastings and barista jams. Now, we've created the Kaldi's Educational Calendar to help keep you updated and informed about these events around the region. Just click on any event or date on the calendar to find out more information about the location and registration for the event.