EDUCATION   We have a professional training and education partnership with the Coffee Lab International School of Coffee in Waterbury, Vermont. We offer courses in cupping (SCAA Cupping Judge and Q-Grader exams), brewing and barista skills, roasting, and the like. Please contact the School of Coffee directly.   Send us an email if you'd like updates on upcoming classes: updates@wreckingballcoffee.com.       NEW DATES now accepting registrations:     Title: COFFEE PREPARATION : THEORY AND FUNDAMENTALS (three days) Dates: March 28-30, 2011 and May 9-11, 2011 Location: Vermont School of Coffee, Waterbury, Vermont Class size: Limited to 10 students per class How do you develop your skills and knowledge when you don't have the foundations to build on? From the chemistry of coffee to manual filter brewing to espresso, you will learn the relevant fundamentals as we then explore the variables and discover where real quality lies. At completion, you will understand those foundational concepts, have put them into practice, and know how to evaluate the final product. Instruction will follow a unique and specialized teaching method that builds technique and procedure on core fundamentals not taught by "barista trainers." Who should attend? Anyone currently or planning to be preparing coffee and espresso beverages as a coffee professional: Baristas, coffee shop owners, roasters, barista trainers. All levels, from beginners to advanced, should attend. Cost: $1250. Daily lunch is included Instructor: Nicholas Cho of Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters in Washington DC has been a world-renown authority on coffee preparation, marketing, and retailing. He is active with the World Barista Championship, Specialty Coffee Association of America, and is frequently featured in national media as a spokesperson for quality specialty coffee, notably in the New York Times, The Washington Post, and National Public Radio. Nick's training and education system has produced four US Barista Championship regional titles and dozens of world-class coffee professionals.   To register or for more information, please go to the Coffee Lab International website.