Maiko Morimoto of Extraction Artisan Coffee has won the first regional Breezey Masters competition of the 2019 season, held at her workplace in Queensland on 7 May.
Kyujong Han of Ginger & Green Café placed second, with Naoto Tanabe of Bellissimo Coffee and Jake Huang of B+C Lab rounding out the final four.
Breezey Masters lets baristas showcase their latte art skills using organiser Almond Breeze’s barista blend almond milk. Competitors are required to make four different patterns – a heart, tulip, rosetta, and swan – and a free pour design. The baristas are judged on the quality of their designs, with the added pressure of completing their drinks within a set time period.
Maiko and Kyujong finished the final round with equal scores, meaning they had to produce another free pour in a one-minute tiebreaker round.
Read more:
• Australian Barista Census reveals what keeps baristas up at night
• Almond Breeze Barista Blend launches 2019 Breezey Masters latte art competition
• Vicky Chuaybamrung of Mary Street Bakery wins Breezey Masters Grand Final
Twenty-four baristas competed in this years Breezey Masters Queensland in front of a panel of industry judges.
Maiko took home $1000 in prize money and will compete in the 2019 Breezey Masters Grand Final in New South Wales in September.
The next Breezey Masters regional will take place in NSW on 21 May at Specialty Coffee Curators in Marrickville.
Breezey Masters will head to Melbourne on 4 June, Adelaide on 17 June, Darwin on 24 June, Perth on 15 July, and New Zealand on 6 August, with locations to be confirmed.
For more information, visit www.baristasforbaristas.com
