Lead HTA Barista Instructor Missy Mayhugh doesn’t know what she would do without coffee.  She started working in cafes more than 20 years ago, and has advanced her career in the industry as a barista, manager, consultant and Specialty Coffee Association-certified trainer. An award-winning coffee mixologist and latte artist, Missy now serves as a Head Judge for the U.S. Barista Championships, “the U.S. Open for barista competitions,” and contributes to the Competitions Working Group, advancing training and standards for the industry.

Stepping away from the judges table, what is your specialty drink as a competitor? 
“I’m most proud of my smoothie-like creation I based on a Blackstrap Betty cookie – using a single origin Brazil espresso with fresh apricots, molasses and a touch of brown sugar.”

What are the most fun days to teach in the HTA barista lab? 
“Latte art, mock café drills and kitchen days when our students bake pastries and make sandwiches.  I love helping our students learn time management, teamwork and good customer interaction, and how to parse flavors of coffee, like a sommelier identifies the back notes of wine.”

What are you excited about in leading the Barista/Latte Art Apprenticeship Program? 
“Beyond teaching every day in our barista lab, I’m looking forward to visiting the graduates of our first cohort in the workplace, and seeing our students thrive in coffee houses around Los Angeles.”

What is your best tip for brewing coffee at home? 
“Get a grinder.  Always grind your coffee fresh, it makes a huge difference in the taste.”

What’s your coffee drink of choice?
‘When I’m at a coffee house, I’ll go for a mocha or cappuccino. But at home, it’s black coffee made with my French press, because a pour-over is tough on the open water.  Yes – I live on the Mayflower, an actual pirate ship docked in the Newport Harbor.  So maybe call me Pirate Ship Barista!”