London Latte Art Smackdown - #smackdown13 - The Finals
Nervous anticipation last Tuesday night as we rolled up to Square Mile roastery for the final of the London Latte Art challenge. We knew we had arrived at the right place as stereotypically, there were quite a number of fixed wheel bikes, tattoos and bearded men hanging around. Square Mile’s new events room was ready, the two group Synesso was set up in the corner, and importantly, the free beer stand was just as you entered the room.
When you are talking about the legends of coffee in London, you could not get many more in the room at one time. We had the 2007 and 2009 World Barista Champions James Hoffman and Gwilym Davies, 2011/12/13 Dutch Latte Art Champion Esther Maasdam, 2010/11/13 UK Barista and 2009 Latte Art Champion John Gordon, 2013 UK Latte Art Champion Dhan Damang, 2012 UK Aeropress Champion Shaun Young and 2009/10/11 US Cup tasters Champion Ben Kaminsky amongst the crowd, and probably other champions in their field that I cannot remember or had the chance to say hello to.
Importantly, we had over 100 industry people packed into the room ready to rumble. Technical difficulties stopped us from projecting the first heats onto the white walls, but Ben and John got this going in time for the finals.
I can’t remember who was up against who in the heats, but, in what is now known as ‘etchgate’, the man from Prufrock, Jeremy Challender pulled out an etching into his latte art against Elyse from Talkhouse that won him though to the finals. The crowd and the judges were unsure if this was allowed, as throughout the comp we did not allow etching or animals, but as the finals were judged on ‘being awesome’, the judges let it through.
Timothy from Curators was against Ryoto from Prufrock for 3rd and 4th places and in a fantastic achievement, young Timothy won third place on the podium, then for the final it was Jeremy from Prufrock against James Bailey from Workshop.
All heats so far had been one against one, but the final was the best of three throw down and it was James Bailey from Workshop who pushed Jeremy out of the way and said ‘move aside, this prize is mine’, beating him on the first two pours and taking the cash, the prizes, the trophies and the glory.
A huge, huge thank you to the sponsors of the prizes – Coffee Hit, Square Mile and Union Hand Roasted, a massive thank you to the judges Andrew Tolley from Taylor Street, Lena and Arianna from Union, James and Jess from SQM and for being here every week judging and taking amazing photos, Glenn Watson.
Another big thank you to all those who came to Kaffeine and Square Mile over the past five weeks and supported not only the baristas, but also the scene in London.
Now for some drinking and dancing!
Peter Dore-Smith
Director
Kaffeine Ltd
66 Great Titchfield st.
15 Eastcastle st.
We have sold 106 of the 150 tickets available. Seriously, get in fast if you wish to come.
Tickets are now on sale at Kaffeine and on the door on the night. All London cafe staff welcome.
November 9th at The Social, Little Portland Street, W1. 7 pm to 1 am.
You can pay in person or over the phone by credit card & we will keep them here for you to pick up.
£5 per ticket, 150 tickets only.
Peter Dore-Smith
Director
Kaffeine
