Katie Carguilo, the winner of the 2012 U.S. Barista Championship, is making a special appearance at Smith Canteen tomorrow. Carguilo will be our guest barista from 3 to 5 p.m.  She will be crafting expertly pulled espresso drinks and two specialty drinks of her own creation. First, her winning submission from the barista competition, a mix of naturally processed Ethiopian espresso from Counter Culture Coffee, jasmine green tea, lemon juice, nectarine mash, simple syrup, vinegar and soda water. The second is a macchiato of sorts—Ethiopian espresso with goat’s milk that has been infused with roasted beets and sugar then steamed.

Our Pastry Chef Stephanie Alexander will create complimentary pastries for each drink. There will be a mini pain au chocolat, with jasmine chocolate, to complement the jasmine fruit espresso and a lemon Shaker tart to go with the beet macchiato.

At 5 p.m., Carguilo will sit down with coffee journalist and author Oliver Strand to talk about her championship win, how to make the perfect cup, East Coast versus West Coast coffee and more. The Q&A and reception that follows will be open to the public.

Carguilo lives in Brooklyn and works for Counter Culture Coffee in Manhattan as a customer service representative. Earlier this year, she competed against 54 baristas at the national championships held in Portland, Ore., with a routine involving Ethiopian coffees. She is the first New Yorker to win the championship. Carguilo went on to represent the United States at the international competition in Vienna. Strand writes the Ristretto coffee column for The New York Times and is writing a book for HarperCollins about the state of coffee today.

Hope to see you tomorrow!