This Five Questions post features someone I admire. It's someone I work with at Batdorf & Bronson, but it's someone I've respected in the coffee industry for years. We've worked together on the SCAA's (former) Training Committee (now Professional Development Committee), and she's always been a huge supporter of the Barista Guild, as well as baristas everywhere. Heather Ringwood is an amazing mind in coffee, and we're glad to have her in our industry as a champion for the Barista Guild. Enjoy. -j.dominy.1. You've seen coffee change a lot over the past 10 years. What has been the best change you've seen happen?
I think the best change that I have seen happen is the growth of the barista community. Yes, there are more people involved in the SCAA events but it also seems like the BGA and local barista gatherings are more frequent. Folks are dedicated to their craft - pushing the job as barista further and we are well on our way to transition the role of the barista into a profession. Plus, the coffee tastes better in more places we go now!
2. You've judged barista competitions for a number of years. What is one thing you notice that baristas consistently could improve on in barista competitions?
That’s a difficult question because I think the barista’s who compete push their skills and their interpretation of the rules and regulations all the time! I think its key for folks to fully understand what those rules are that they are evaluated against and be prepared for new environments and mishaps that may come your way.
3. Drip brewed coffee or espresso?
Depends on the day! Often both.
4. What is your favorite charity and what do they do?
I have been a longtime supporter of an organization called Garden Raised Bounty or GRuB. They do a number of amazing things all working with at-risk youth in the local community. They are dedicated to securing good food for all people and have a goal to have Thurston County to be hunger-free. They build gardens for low-income people at their homes and apartments giving them the opportunity to grow and share their own food. They have a 1 acre garden in the city of Olympia where they employ teens to grow food while supporting the youth to get on track to graduate from high school and grow, personally, through working on the farm, with the crew and interacting in their community. There are several organizations like GRuB around the country – you should check in your community. (www.goodgrub.org)
5. Folks don't know, but you're a great dog trainer, and even compete in competitions with your dogs. What's that like?
That’s true J – it’s what I do for fun and in “my spare time”. I offer training classes based in 100% positive reinforcement and science based methods. It’s fascinating to see the affect this kind of training can have on the dog and owner. It not only creates desirable behaviors but a long lasting relationship with your pet. I also compete in dog agility with one of my dogs, Rowan. The time I spend training and competing is the only time when I don’t think about work! There’s no room to do both and be good at what I need to do in that moment. But, believe it or not, there are a lot of cross-overs between my job in coffee and my dog training life.
To celebrate the new World Barista Champion of El Salvador, Alejandro Mendez, Cafe Imports will host a COE cupping 
