Our Purpose
We are a community that empowers baristas and promotes their professional growth. In addition to the SCA Core Values, we believe in the following Guiding Principles:
Community Matters
The Barista Guild is a community that is inclusive, accessible, and collaborative; a community where relationships are created and nurtured.
Education for Members
We value formal and informal education and professional development for all baristas.
Quality of the Product
Baristas are responsible for the end-product in the coffee value chain and we value the quality of that product through best practices, understanding, and hospitality.
Our History
The Barista Guild (BG) was formed in 2018 as a unified guild of two heritage organizations: the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe’s Barista Guild of Europe (BGE) and the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s Barista Guild of America (BGA).
In 2016, when members of the heritage SCAE and SCAA voted to unify and create the Specialty Coffee Association, the members of the heritage barista guilds were equally enthusiastic about a unified vision for the future.
In 2017, a Unification Committee of volunteers was formed and worked with both guilds to define bylaws, positions, transition documents, and more in preparation to become one global guild. The final step of this process, approving the new leadership council, took place in December 2018.
Leadership Council
Here are the current Leadership Council (LC) members, listed with their place of work and council title:
Jessika Sosa of HIKOFI Coffee Roasters, Chair
Kathie Hilberg of Stumptown Coffee Roasters LA, Past Chair
Angelo Sportelli of MUMAC Academy, Gruppo Cimbali
Zoey Thorson an Independent Coffee Consultant and Educator
Mark Lamberton of Cafe Imports Europe
Sandra Ventura of Cabon Kopi
Miguel Olmos of Cafe Lihue
Carlos de la Torre of Cafe Avellaneda and Cafe con Jiribilla
Lukasz Galecki of Comandante and European Coffee Trip
Luisa Fernanda Santos Rivera of Coffeina Café
Committees
Committees, standing or ad-hoc, may be established by the Barista Guild Leadership Council as needed. The Leadership Council Chair will appoint the committee lead and that lead can then appoint additional members as needed. More information on our committees coming soon.
Code of Conduct
Folks like you join the SCA and the Barista Guild to have fun, learn, network and grow with fellow members. Our staff want to make that possible while providing the best possible environment for everyone involved. For all that to happen, we have a few rules that are necessary for everyone’s safety and comfort. Click below to read our Code of Conduct.
Contact Us
Questions about the Barista Guild? Get in touch! We’d love to hear from you. Just click the button below.