Klatch Wins Best Coffeehouse Competition at Seattle’s Coffee Fest

Southern California’s specialty coffee roaster Klatch Coffee Inc. is riding the wave of success. After winning four gold medals at this year’s Ultimate Barista Challenge, the Klatch team, composed of Heather Perry, Holly Perry and Jenette Green, won the title of Best Coffeehouse in America at Coffee Fest in Seattle.

The competition began in July when coffeehouses submitted videos about why they should be granted the opportunity to compete. Twenty of the top coffeehouses were then visited by secret shoppers, whose scores, combined with customer votes, narrowed the competition down to the eight semi-finalists.

The semis and finals took place in Seattle where the three-member teams were given the opportunity to run a mock café as if it was their own coffeehouse. Teams were required to serve popular drinks, including espressos, cappuccinos and lattes, as well as daily specials and a manually brewed coffee option.

The Klatch team brewed two award-winning coffees: Panama Esmeralda Leon and Ethiopian Gedeo Worka, in addition to its daily special, the Naked Verbena.

“The Naked Verbena is the drink I used to win the 2003 United States Barista Championship. It is also a customer favorite in our stores,” said Heather Perry. 

The barista competition judging was based on a combination of drink quality, customer service, adaptability, teamwork and overall experience. Holly Perry said: “It was the combination of our award-winning coffees and our team’s ability to create an unforgettable experience that put us over the top.”

Coffee Fest has been celebrating coffee since 1992. After several years of hosting thriving events, Coffee Fest turned its focus toward the specialty coffee, gourmet tea and alternative beverage industry, and brought retailers, distributors and manufacturers together for its first retail trade show in 1998.

Klatch Coffee is a nationally recognized coffee roaster and retailer in Southern California since 1993. Klatch has been honored as the 2009 Micro Roaster of the Year and its espresso was named “World’s Best Espresso” at the 2007 World Barista Championships.