Roast Magazine is pleased to release the full program details for Roast Summit 2024, a two-day experience taking place in the coffee hub of Portland, Oregon, Feb 22-23.
The event promises a deep exploration of roasting theory and practical skills, as well as the opportunity to connect with fellow roasters.
Day 1 – Thursday, Feb. 22
The historic McMenamins Kennedy School will provide the stage for the first day of Roast Summit 2024. Attendees will be welcomed at 9 a.m. for a day packed with insights from coffee professionals at the forefront of the industry.
The first session, “Devil in the Details: The Small Stuff of Coffee Roasting,” will be led by Rob Hoos, coffee roasting consultant and owner of Iteration.Coffee. Hoos will delve into the complexity of coffee roasting, emphasizing the significance of understanding and controlling small variables to guide roasts towards desired flavors and consistency.
CQI Quality Evaluation Assistant Instructor Camila Khalifé will then take the stage for “Tasting the Standards: A Comprehensive View of Green Coffee Defects.” This session will explore the current SCA standards for green coffee, sorting processes at origin and the impact of defects on the cup. The following day, a hands-on workshop will allow attendees to apply their knowledge to sorting green coffee samples.
Christopher H. Hendon, an associate professor of computational material chemistry at the University of Oregon, will present “Electrochemical Assessment of Coffee Qualities.” Dr. Hendon will detail the development of an innovative electrochemical method to assess solvated coffee compounds, providing a scientific perspective on coffee chemistry.
The day continues with “Partnering With Your Green Coffee Suppliers,” presented by Shauna Alexander, vice president of coffee at Stumptown Coffee Roasters. Drawing from Stumptown’s extensive experience in direct trade sourcing, Alexander will share insights on building strong partnerships with green coffee suppliers.
Laudia Anokye Bempah, a Ph.D. Student at the UC Davis, will conclude the day with “The Impact of Roast Profile on a Coffee’s Physical and Chemical Properties.” The session will present preliminary results from a study investigating the effects of roast profiles on titratable acidity and bean color, contributing to a new “coffee roasting control chart.”
The day wraps up with closing remarks at 3:30 p.m., followed by a happy hour from 4-5 p.m., providing a perfect setting for networking and relaxation.
Day 2 – Friday, Feb. 23
On the second day of the event, attendees will head over to Buckman Coffee Factory to be assigned to one of four groups for workshops on roasting, green coffee and cupping, well as a Portland Coffee Tour.
The roasting workshop, led by Mark Michaelson, Paris Kennedy and Alex Munoz of The San Fransiscan Roaster Co., will offer practical insights into roasting theory.
The cupping workshop, presented by Alex Pond and Scott Merle, will provide a unique opportunity to explore award-winning coffees from the fall 2023 Cup of Excellence season.
In the green coffee workshop, led by Todd Arnette and Camila Khalifé, attendees will engage in hands-on activities, sorting green coffee samples and understanding the correlation between defects and cup quality.
Additionally, a Portland Coffee Tour, led by Lora Woodruff of Third Wave Coffee Tours, will guide participants through the city, visiting some of Portland’s most notable coffee companies.
Roast Summit 2024 promises an enriching and hands-on experience for all attendees, showcasing the latest research, knowledge and trends in coffee. Secure your spot now for two days of immersion in the world of coffee roasting.
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