Emily Jackson, of Enrico's Tazza D'Oro in Pittsburgh, pours espresso during the 2009 Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Regional Barista Competitions on Feb. 6, 2009, hosted by Kiva Han Coffee at Marriott in Cranberry Township. Butler Eagle File Photo

To prepare for the 2009 Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Regional Barista Competitions, a handful of local baristas assembled for two consecutive weekends in January at Kiva Han on Thomson Park Drive.

Gathered around a two-port commercial espresso machine, members of the group took tips from Luke Shaffer, of 21st Street Coffee in Pittsburgh's Strip District, before practicing techniques to create the perfect espresso drink.

“Making the coffee taste good consistently is very important,” said Shaffer, who added that coffee beans lose quality 10 days after roasting and only minutes after grinding.

The annual competitions were set for Feb. 6 through 8 at the Pittsburgh Marriott North, the first time the event took place in Western Pennsylvania.