London Latte Art Smackdown - #smackdown13 - Round Three
Three heats down now in the London Latte Art Smackdown and last week we had another 40 people crammed into Kaffeine to cheer and jeer the baristas. This week we had the owner of Square Mile coffee and 2007 World Barista Champion James Hoffman judging, joined by Glenn Watson and Arianna from Union Coffee.
It was the most intense week so far, with a dark horse from a farm shop outside Bath travelling down for the event, young Matt, who beat Kit from Dose in the first round, but then got knocked out by Elyse from Talkhouse in the second. Elyse was one of the two who made it through to the final.
Shaun Young, who placed 7th in the UK Champs this year and is formerly of Kaffeine was up against James Bailey from Workshop in the first round.
Unfortunately, even though Shaun has made many thousands of coffees on our Synesso machine, he did not progress to round 2.
Another Talkhouse barista, Miguel, took on Barry from Dose in the first round, but he was knocked out and Barry took on James to get into the final. The judges had their hardest decision of the contest so far and finally allowed Mr Bailey to get through to represent Workshop on the 29th.
We also had a latte art free pour demonstration by the UK latte art champ, Dhan Damang, who will be judging at the final, as well as a special, secret visitor for the event, Mr Ben Kaminsky.
Here is the link to the photos that Glenn Watson has been taking so far.
This weeks competitors.
1. Ken, Jeremy, Andrew and Gareth from Prufrock
2. Grace and Blazej ‘Blaze’ Stempin from Kaffeine
3. Benjamin from Terrone
4. Westhus from Artigiano
1. Ken, Jeremy, Andrew and Gareth from Prufrock
2. Grace and Blazej ‘Blaze’ Stempin from Kaffeine
3. Benjamin from Terrone
4. Westhus from Artigiano
If you want to come among and support or just watch, you are more than welcome. All the heats are now full, but if you turn up on the night and wish to compete and there are drop outs, we will get you in. We have free food and cheap beer.
Judges this week include John Gordon from Square Mile Coffee, Glenn Watson and Lena from Union.
Christmas Party Details.
We have sold 86 of the 250 tickets available already. Seriously, get in fast if you wish to come.
Tickets are now on sale at Kaffeine. All London cafe staff welcome.
November 9th at The Social, Little Portland Street, W1. 7 pm to 1 am.
November 9th at The Social, Little Portland Street, W1. 7 pm to 1 am.
Also available at the latte art heats and the final at Square Mile, you can pay in person or over the phone by credit card and we will keep them here for you to pick up.
£5 per ticket, 250 tickets only, no door sales/pick ups on the night.
£5 per ticket, 250 tickets only, no door sales/pick ups on the night.
Prizes, glory, drinking and dancing. What more could you wish for?
Peter Dore-Smith
Director
Kaffeine Ltd
66 Great Titchfield st.
15 Eastcastle st.
Director
Kaffeine Ltd
66 Great Titchfield st.
15 Eastcastle st.
