Onyx Coffee Lab co-owner Andrea Allen (third from right) is the new United States Barista Champion
Photo by Jennifer Hall / Courtsey USCoffeeChampionships.org
Onyx Coffee Lab co-owner Andrea Allen and manager Elika Liftee each won major categories at the 2020 United States Coffee Championships. Allen took first place in the Barista Competition, and Liftee placed first in the Brewers Cup.
It’s the first time in history that two people from the same company have won in two categories at the event, which is considered the most prestigious coffee competition in the nation. The two will compete May 4-7 at the World Coffee Championships in Melbourne, Australia.
Onyx Coffee Lab manager Elika Liftee (third from right) is the 2020 U.S. Brewers Cup Champion
Photo by Jennifer Hall / Courtsey USCoffeeChampionships.org
Lance Hedrick of Onyx came in second place in the Brewers Cup, according to the event’s website.
Barista Competition competitors are given 15 minutes to prepare and serve espressos, cappuccinos, and a personally designed signature beverage for four sensory judges. They are then assessed on their preparation abilities by two technical judges.
In the Brewers Cup, competitors brew and present the same coffee on their own chosen manual devices. They are then judged by skilled coffee tasters, including a blind tasting, before being scored.
Onyx Coffee Lab was founded in 2012 and has locations in Fayetteville, Rogers and Bentonville.
