Latte Art
Dave Koch | Friday, March 20, 2009 at 8:06AM 
photo by Dave Koch
Sorry to all those barista who procrastinated but registration for the Milrock Free Pour Latte Art Championship is closed. Held at the trade show Coffee Fest, the event is considered the Super Bowl for over achieving barista everywhere. This year Coffee Fest will be in Las Vegas and, appropriately enough, in Seattle.
Seattle of course topping the 2008 Caffeinated Cities Survey for coffee consumption in the US, with 59% of respondent consuming it daily.
OK I was only trying to scare you, registration for Las Vegas is still open, but Seattle really is closed. So start taking pictures of your latte art because you need to submit two photo examples with your entry form.
There is a lot at stake here with the $5,000 grand prize, bragging rights, and glory. You may even end up on the Food Network with Guy Fieri or on the cover of Barista Magazine. So get practicing.
From Coffee Fest, the rules of engagement are as follows:
"Contestants will be given five minutes to prepare the work area, adjust grind etc. Following the five minute preperation [sic] time, contestants will be given five minutes to produce as many as three different free-pour lattes.
At the completion of the five minutes or three free pour lattes, the drinks will be judged based upon : esthetic beauty & balance > 1-25pts., color infusion > 1-25pts., definition > 1 25pts., and creativity > 1-15pts.
No additives other than the espresso and milk may be used in this competition. The drink receiving the highest score from the judges will be used as the contestants submission."
Here are some great examples of what these artists can do with steamed milk and espresso...
photo by jonas_l
photo by ~ggvic~
photo by thebrady
photo by strikeseason
photo by lorisrandom
photo by tavallai
photo by ChrisB_in_SEA
photo by tonx
photo by amanky
I think the one that says, "U Suc" is my favorite.
Which one is yours?
Reader Comments (5)
"The event is considered the Super Bowl for over achieving barista everywhere"?!? That's a ridiculous statement, really.
While I certainly enjoy and appreciate latte art, it is eye candy. It is no more the hallmark of a technically great barista than a plating competition would be for a competitive chef.
So what? The statement "You may even end up on the Food Network with Guy Fieri or on the cover of Barista Magazine" is ridiculous too.
That fact remains.
Strikeseason by a whiff in front of ChrisB_in_Sea
LOL
Robert-Gilles
I like the one above the "U Suc" - I think its an image of a cub? Anyway, I want to pinch that cup of coffee's cheeks.
How's that for a ridiculous statement?
well i heard from many people that late art is not easy to do do but i think they were wrong because you expalin so nicely that i understand everything .