Salvador, Aleli and Ileana at the party.
Every good barista competition has to have a barista party. It's de rigeur and CMB hosts Arturo Hernandez and Cleofas Arreola know how to have a good time. They've set us up in a the beautiful home of their friend and caterer who produced a tasty Japanese-inspired buffet and open bar (read: tequila abuse).
Unlike some barista parties I've attended, the CMB is small and by invitation only. Only barista competitors, their friends and judges are invited - and you must bring the printed invite because there's a doorman. While it makes for a more intimate gathering, it's so much easier to sit down, chat with new friends and talk story and drink tequila all evening. Other, more lavish (and larger) affairs are so huge that the competitors are lost in the crowd and it's just a big party and you spend half the night just searching for the person you'd like to chat with. Then, by the time you've found each other, it's so loud that you can't talk - not to mention that the food is gone in the first 45 minutes because they've opened the doors and allowed the entire city into the party.
Jesus and Laura.
With Samantha Espinosa from Cordoba, Veracruz.
The Pancake Maker: Alvaro Carrasco and his esposa.
Diana Sanchez and Brenda Hernandez from The Lord of Coffee.
With fellow judge, Chef Hugo.
My buffet plate. Nice.
Alejandro Ortiz from Xalapa, Veracruz.
His sister, Ileana...
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