MilkLab has announced it will host a latte art smack down at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo on 31 March.
“The Blind Barista Battle” will see some of Australia’s top baristas produce their best latte art under pressure for the chance to win $1000.
Competing in pairs over a number of knockout rounds, 16 baristas will go head to head over a number of knockout rounds.
Each pair will be randomly assigned a pattern and an alternative milk variant (MilkLab Almond, MilkLab Soy, MilkLab Coconut or MilkLab Lactose Free) to produce the best latte art, as decided by a judging panel. The winning barista will take home $1000.
Each competitor will have one minute to set up and familiarise themselves with the machine, dial the grinder, and pour a practise shot.
Once the set up time is complete, both competitors are to step back from the strata coffee machine and e10 Compak grinder until the competition time starts.
When the emcee starts the stopwatch, the competitors will have three minutes to complete their predetermined latte art pattern, which could be a heart, rosetta, tulip or free pour design (etching tools allowed for free pour).
Coffee, milk, eight-ounce Casterway cups, and a variety of jugs will be provided. However, competitors will be allowed to bring their own jugs, garnishes, and etching tools if they desire.
The winner of each round will move forward to the second heat, the semi-final and then the finals, leaving one barista to collect the first prize of $1000.
Registrations will open from 27 February until maximum entries are reached.
To enter, send your name, email, contact number and place of employment to milklab@ffgl.com.au. There is no cost to register
Visit milklabco.com and watch the action unfold on MilkLab’s stand #142 on Friday 31 March at 3pm.
