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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Too Many Cooks

What coffee means to Kaiti

Kaiti Blom with Revel77 is a finalist in Camp Photo Contest for the Barista Guild of America. People can see her photo titled Coffee Unites Us and the others in the competition on the Barista Guild of America Facebook page. (Courtesy of Kaiti Blom.)
Kaiti Blom with Revel77 is a finalist in Camp Photo Contest for the Barista Guild of America. People can see her photo titled Coffee Unites Us and the others in the competition on the Barista Guild of America Facebook page. (Courtesy of Kaiti Blom.)

A set of photos taken by Revel 77 barista Kaiti Blom has made her a finalist in the Barista Guild of America's contest.

Contest organizers asked baristas to share pictures that show what coffee means to them for a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to barista camp. Blom said in an email message that some of her life's pivotal moments have taken place over coffee, including her first date with fiancee Christine.

"To me, coffee is the life blood of the community. Coffee houses provide a place to meet and promote friendships and relationships," she wrote.

The couple in the top candid photo are Blom's friends Shannon and Vanessa, who were recently engaged. The bottom photos include the hands of her friends and family who came together to help her take the photos.

"I put a call out to my community to gather and be subjects in my photos and almost 20 people showed up with less than an hour's notice. This simple act solidified for me that Coffee = Community," Blom wrote.

Blom titled the photos Coffee Unites Us.

Revel77 owner Deb Nelson said another employee, Aaron Monheim, also submitted a photo to the competition. However, he has conceded defeat and is now supporting Blom's entry.

To vote for Blom's photo, Facebook users must 'like' the Barista Guild of America's page and then click the 'vote' button with her photo.

Here's the link.

The Barista Guild of America's homepage is here.



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