The Roasters Guild is dedicated to promoting and advancing the art of craft roasting and this happens through many different channels. The Roasters Guild (RG) Certification Program plays a large role in this mission, offering courses on craft roasting all over the world and recognizes specialty roasters who achieve a high degree of skill and excellence in roasting, across three levels: Level 1, Level 2 and Master. A number of RG courses will be taking place at SCAA’s 24th Annual Specialty Coffee Event in April and this is the perfect opportunity to work towards Certification!
The most recent series of RG courses was held in Guatemala February 6 – 10, 2012 at the Guatemalan National Coffee Association’s Headquarters in Guatemala City. Some of the classes held here included Introduction to Cupping, Basic Roasting Equipment & Operation, and Introduction to Craft Roasting.
Mr. Chris Wade from Coffee Bean International taught the courses as a representative of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), who said this about his experience: “I really enjoyed the interactions with the students in this class. There is so much interest about roasting, coffee profiles, and the U.S. coffee roasting industry.” Chris has been in the industry for eleven years, working with small and medium roasting equipment, and is a member of The Executive Council of the Roasters Guild.
If you can’t make it to Portland, but you’re interested in the RG Certification Program, the 12th Annual Roasters Guild Retreat will be taking place in August at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA. The RG Retreat is centered around education and open discussion, as well as social activities and the chance to bond with fellow roasters over an open bonfire with a cold drink in hand. More information on RG Retreat will be available shortly!
