Raise The Bar With Me At - Level Up
As both a consumer and maker of coffee, I want to learn everything about it — not just for myself, but to share with others. So when the opportunity came to attend the first-ever Level Up Event in Minneapolis, MN, I jumped at it.
Presented by Raise The Bar and hosted at Mill City Roasters, Level Up is essentially a barista boot camp that equips participants with the fundamentals of coffee knowledge and technique, touching on areas we don't always think about. The event ran two days, with an optional (and highly recommended) third-day field trip to Cafe Imports and Espresso Services Inc.
📚 The Classes
There were more workshops than I could attend, so I prioritized the ones that best aligned with my curriculum goals:
- Sensory 101 — led by Carly Green
- The Business of the Cafe — led by Erica Escalante
- Latte Art — led by Seidy Selivanow
- Brewing for Impact — led by Kristina Jackson
Every class was thoughtfully designed and genuinely fun. All workshops and panels were led by experts in their fields, covering everything from Latte Art Fundamentals and Cupping to Introduction to Espresso Tech for Baristas.
The first day felt like a sampler — packed with activities, mandatory lectures, and panels that previewed what to expect on day two.
💬 Standout Moments
Two panels really stuck with me.
The first tackled imposter syndrome in the coffee industry, with industry leaders sharing personal testimonials about how they've worked through it. It was refreshingly honest and encouraging.
The second explored how to reconnect with producers and coffee farmers. There's a very real communication barrier between farmers and baristas, but with the technology and media available today, meaningful first steps are absolutely within reach. That conversation left me thinking.
🤝 The Best Part: The People
Honestly? The people made the weekend.
I love how everyone in the coffee industry — or aspiring to be — is so accepting and eager to share their stories. Over meals, I connected with barista competition champions and judges, aspiring and current café owners, roasters, coffee tech representatives, and even coffee farmers. Those casual conversations in a relaxed setting were some of the most energizing parts of the whole experience.
☕ What I'm Taking Home
By the end of the weekend, I had made new friends and connections, sharpened my barista skills, expanded my coffee knowledge, and walked away with a serious haul of coffee swag.
If you ever get the chance to attend a Level Up event, go. It's worth every mile.
And a special shoutout to my assigned roommate turned new friend, Madison — you made the trip extra special! 🙌