Australia’s Shinsaku Fukayama of St Ali is hoping to add to his winning streak when he competes in London Coffee Masters at The London Coffee Festival this week.
‘Shin’ was crowned the Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) 2018 Australian Latte Art Champion at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo in March. He will aim to match the winning experience of former St Ali colleague Ben Morrow, 2016 ASCA Australian Barista Champion, and 2016 London Coffee Masters winner.
Shin is one of 24 baristas named in the Coffee Masters competition, taking place from 12 to 15 April.
Shin impressed an expert panel with his submission video, featuring his Samurai Shake signature drink. This includes Japanese ume fruit liqueur, chocolate liqueur, strawberry liqueur, yuzu, espresso, egg white, vanilla syrup, mixed, shaken and served on ice with freezed dried strawberry to garnish. See Shinsaku’s signature video here.
Other competitors include seven representatives from the United Kingdom, two each from the United States and Czech Republic, and one each from Denmark, Hungary, The Netherlands, Russia, Poland, Germany, Latvia, Romania, Canada, Germany, Italy and Ireland.
Coffee Masters is a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary global barista tournament, featuring seven disciplines and one winner.
During the competition, baristas undertake different challenges that emulated the busy working environment of a professional barista. The different category rounds include cupping, brewing, latte art, the order challenge, the signature drink, the espresso blend and the origin.
These disciplines are designed to test a barista’s skill, knowledge, creativity, professionalism and presentation in a head-to-head, fast-paced battle. The Coffee Masters contestants will use a Faema E71 coffee machine and either a Mahlkönig EK43, K30 Vario Air or Peak.
Competitors have the chance to win more than £5000 (more than A$8000) cash prize.
This year, Coffee Masters will welcome back Anne Lunell as Head Judge. Tim Wendelboe, Freda Yuan, Kris Schackman, Mikaela Wallgren, Sonja Zweidick and David Donde will also take on judging roles.
Stepping up to the mic this year as emcees will be Gwilym Davies, Founder of Prufrock Coffee; Jordan Michelman, Co-founder of Sprudge.com; and Lem Butler, United States champion barista.
The London Coffee Masters Festival will feature La Marzocco’s True Artisan Cafe, workshops, pop-up cafes, cocktails, art, food pairings and more.
La Marzocco has been involved with the London Coffee Festival since its inception and is a sponsor of the United Kingdom Barista Championship, the La Marzocco Kitchen, the True Artisan Café, the La Marzocco Roasters Village and VIP Hospitality Suite.
La Marzocco will also present the UK launch of the latest La Marzocco Leva machine, home and Modbar equipment, as well as the exclusive panel discussion Becoming a World Barista Champion, available to view through LiveStream.
For more information, click here. To view all the contestant’s signature videos, click here www.londoncoffeefestival.com/WhatsOn/CoffeeMasters
