Collected Thoughts on Montreal

The city of Montreal is absolutely beautiful. There is so much to see and eat and experience I am not sure how we did so much in a matter of days! I thought instead of writing some big convoluted blurb on what the experience was like I would just highlight some amazing parts for me. If you want to read a detailed coverage of the Championship, check out what Liz Claytonhas to say.

Ah Cuisine

One of the best meals out I have ever had was out at Au Pied de Cochon. This guy has got it right! I am sure that Jason would be able to give you a much more apt description of what goes on in his cooking and how he pushes the boundaries of fine cuisine but for me it was all about taste and flavour. And I mean flavour of the whole atmosphere! We got to the restaurant at 7:30 and wasted no time getting some wine and a few appetizers. This is when I had my fateful try of the fois gras. Fateful for the duck, but delicious for me! In the end, I had an amazing Fois Gras Poutine that would stop most people's hearts and I couldn't resist ordering the Creme Brulee for dessert (though it was a little over torched... does that make sense?).

Also to note about Montreal food:

- I will never look at a croissant the same way again after eating the creamy, crunchy, buttery ones there.

- The best cafe in Montreal is currently Cafe Sante Veritas right in Old Montreal. They also had the best paninis! Unfortunately though, as a whole, Calgary's coffee scene is much more present and delicious than what I saw in Montreal...

CNBC

The whole reason I even skipped class for a week to go to Montreal was, as most of you know, to watch Phil and others in the Canadian National Barista Championships. This was a lot of fun! I haven't been out other years, but the caliber of the baristas who competed was amazing! And for a nerd like me the competitions were so interesting and amazing to watch. 

Thoughts on the competitors:

Phil Robertson - I work for this guy, was trained by this guy, and seriously thought he did SO amazing. His sig drink was like drinking fine, coffeed up, unprocessed Nutella. In fact, I ate so much of his leftover drink at work one night that I made myself actually nauseous. And I think it may have been worth it.

Spencer Viehweger - It was funny because when I met Spencer I realized a funny coincidence. I had met him years ago when I worked at Java Jamboree and actually showed him the place for the first time! He looked VERY nervous throughout his presentation but really impressed the judges and finished less than 10 points behind Sammy. Very nice.

Sammy Piccolo - He's done it before, and he's done it again. I think Sammy's presentation was so smooth from start to finish, and that Beloya in his 'spro really couldn't hurt either. I tried the 49th roast of this coffee earlier in the year and was duly impressed.

Joel May - Calgary really represented at Nationals this year which may have surprised a lot of people. Joel seemed to have a lot of fun during his presentation and had a fairly smooth ride throughout. Though he, like some of the others, rushed at the end to finish up those sig drinks! Pulled out a nice 3rd finish though! 

Anthony Bender - I only met Anthony briefly at the impromptu throwdown (which is a story for another day...) and he seems like a super nice guy. And in fact, Anthony won the other contestants approval as well with a "Mr. Congeniality" award. I thought his presentation was really relaxed and the most personable of all the 6. And he did so well making it to the finals with a cafe to open the same week!

Chad Moss - Another great representation from Alberta, Chad from Transcend seemed relaxed and confident as he went through his routine. His was actually one of the few 'spros I got the opportunity to try. An interesting shot though I thought the brightness (of the fruit he described?) may have overtaken it. I wouldn't go by my unexperienced palate though, the judges placed him at a solid 4th place.

Overall the difference in points between all 6 of the competitors was so very close. Sammy kept the title in the Artigiano family but it was so close. A great show all around and I can't wait until next year in Vancouver. Should be super interesting with so many new and amazing talent popping up all over the country! The comp took awhile and I did feel a bit bad for keeping my Mom waiting around after as I cornered Stephen Morrissey to be a fan. 

Showshowshowdown

A clip of some of the pours (including mine) at the throwdown that took place while we waited for the judges. All I'm saying is, the title of Canada's latte artist champ should be mine. 

Live TV : Ustream

Polo Boots

If you were ever to splurge on a pair of boots these would be the boots. 

I bought the brown wrap boots and they are one of the most comfortable things to ever touch my feet. You can wear them as high or low just by wrapping the band differently. Amazing! I picked these bad boys up on my trip to Montreal and now I want one in every colour!

As an added bonus, TOMS donates a pair of shoes to a kid in need for every pair you purchase. So yes, you can feel good about your shoe collection again!

Girl Comes Back From Montreal Stuffed

Tons of new photos uploaded from the big trip to Montreal. And ah, so much to tell but I need to formulate something that won't come out too convoluted and run-on. Check out the photos and I'll post even more soon!

Don't Listen to This Advice

At work, Ben suggested that I could call this blog:

"single origin and looking".

Hilarious, Ben.

Montreal tomorrow. Sure to be including coffee, much cuisine, great shopping, lots of walking, and old friends.

Too True

I came across this tonight and I just may be in love. With the tamper of course.

Excitement Reaches New Level

I was just reading the daily blogs and all and seeing stuff come up about the CBC in Montreal makes me so excited!

Creme Fraiche is the New Black

The Marzocco at work with Quinn in the background.

Tidbits from the last few days:

Last time I was at Janice Beaton Fine Cheese on 17th Ave. I talked with a girl there about making my own creme fraiche. So the other night I did and it tastes amazing! I think I will play around with using different recipes for it. Hopefully soon I will also be able to make my own yogurt too!

Work at the market this weekend was hectic as always but especially so with Phil and Sebastian preparing to head to the Canadian Barista Championships. I think everyone is pretty excited to head out to Montreal, including my Mom! If you're interested in watching any of the action go down, there is live streaming here.

I've been trying to create more definition in my rosetta pours lately however, this has resulted in a completely changed style which is interesting and somewhat frustrating. I love the look of a beautifully defined crema ring around the leaves but lately I feel as though I either get the ring or the big leaves. I'm still working on making all the elements work together into the "Elyse" style of pour.

And I'm out. Big 2nd year birthday celebration at church tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to that, then off to Montreal! 

Girl Retains Battle Wounds from Busiest Day Ever; Pulls a Decent 'Spro and Pours a Mean Latte

I am going to toot my own horn for a moment (momism). While I may have a few fatal flaws (like any good character does) namely, my tendency to be 15 minutes late for everything in life (which I am well aware of and here's hoping on the way to recovery from), I have passion for whatever I do. And if I am doing something without passion, whether it be coffee, dancing, worship, photography, or writing a blog, I throw myself into it until the passion fills me.

Today, I was passionate about the coffee. I dialed in the 'spro this morning and there was this need in me to make it the best I knew how. I may not be as adept as some of the talent working behind the counters of Phil & Sebastian, but I am quite determined to join the ranks of the espresso elite. So, I tasted, and spat, and tasted and spat, and tasted some more, and spat some more, until (with a bit of help from the guys, Ben and Jason) I was ready to take on what was sure to be the busiest morning I had ever worked at the shop. (Which indeed, it was, by the way.) And the espresso? Not by any means did I pull a god-shot (what is a god-shot though, really?) but I did manage to pull a few very decent shots, and even surprise myself.

So I write tonight, even more impassioned by what coffee can be, and a little more knowledgeable, and a little more caffeine-crazy (or "clinically insane" as one barista I know would say you have to be to be a barista). 

I will take my camera along with me to work soon and try and capture the "magic" (hint of sarcasm there) of being a barista, but mostly just to snap of few of the amazing latte art that is thrown down.

Battle Wound Tally

Punctures from the chit spike: 3+

Tricep muscle cramp: 1

Hand cramp: 2

Anonymous scratches: 3

Cheese-filled jokes heard: Innumerable

–e

Girl Expands Her Horizons By Eating Bleu Cheese and Asparagus; Looks Forward to Skipping School for Montreal

I always try new recipes and make amazing home-cooked meals for friends but when you're living alone, making elaborate meals is never quite as satisfying. Tonight however, I planned myself the most delicious meal and I have to say that it was well worth the extra effort!

The Main Course (alright, there was only one)

Steamed Asparagus with Olive Oil and Crumbled Bleu Cheese

Glazed Basil Gold Potatoes with Green Onion

Braised Steak with Chutney Marinade

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It is only a week now until my whirlwind trip to Montreal with my mom. The Canadian Barista Championships will prove to be a great time with friends and the chance to see so many amazing baristas show off their skillz. Calgary will be well represented by my own boss, Phil Robertson, and Joel May of Fratello Coffee. I'll look forward to seeing some amazing talent out of Vancouver as well with Sammy Piccolo in the running and Spencer Viehweger of JJ Bean. Truly, everyone in the lineup has copious talent! As a bonus, it all goes down in Montreal, as "Europe" as we get in Canada. I don't think I can go wrong with this.

Fall Leaves

Lindsey Clinton, originally uploaded by ellywaves.

I went out last week with Lindsay Clinton on a photo shoot around the city. I think we managed upwards of 5 locations in just over 2 hours! She was absolutely marvelous to work with and I wish her all the best in her pursuit of a career in music. Thanks for a great afternoon, Lindsay!

Laughing Lindsay

Lindsey Clinton, originally uploaded by ellywaves.

Recovering Facebook Addict Finds Solace in a Delicious Guat

I was a FB addict.

I literally have woken up in the morning, rolled out of bed, started up Safari, and checking Facebook. 

Many times I have considered deleting what I knew to be an addiction but excuses always came up in my mind.

No longer. As of 10 minutes, I am no longer a Facebooker. But my recovery has just started. When I went to "permanently" delete my account, I was informed that I still had 14 days to log-in and save my profile before it would be actually deleted. I am on day 1. 14 days is the time it takes to break a habit right? So this should be no sweat right?

The only comfort I get from this is the delicious cup of Guatemalan I will make for myself in the morning with the time it took me to check Facebook.

Also, I think I am going to start a group. So if anyone else out there is considering taking the scary plunge into no-Facebookland, give me a shout and we can help each other.

–e