Congratulations are in order. The final 16 baristas have made their way to the last week of the London Latte Art Smackdown and will be competing on Tuesday night at Square Mile Roastery in front of a mad, up for it crowd with some of the complete legends of the London Coffee scene as judges in the search for prizes, cash and glory and hopefully a pay rise from their employers (ha ha).
The four heats have seen some fantastic techniques and very high standards with some very close calls from the judges, so the final will be even closer with even more pressure, especially when you consider the prizes and we may even be trying to increase the pressure with an as yet unannounced extra test for all baristas.
£840 cash
Victoria Arduino ‘Oscar’ Single group espresso machine
Baratza Grinder
2 x Rhino grinders
Trophies courtesy of Square Mile and Victoria Arduino
Cases Minor Figures Cold Brew Coffee
Case of Kernel Brewery Beer
Edgar – Attendant
Zain – Harris and Hoole
Phil – Artisan
Helen – Lantana
So Yan – Attendant
Chloe – Kaffeine
Nico – Noble
Dean – Artisan
Laura – Curators
Heidi – Prufrock
Sam – Freelance barista
Piotr – Peanut Vendor
Jack – Origin
Will – Origin
Dhan – Caracoli
Alex – Origin
Judges on the night include: Oli Bradshaw, Jeremy Challender, James (I won the 1st year) Bailey, Andrew Tolley, Ben Townsend, Phil Wain, Tim Williams, Claire Brice and David (I won last year) Urbinati with lead judge Glenn Watson.
Check out the photos from Glenn Watson of the last four heats to get an idea.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/getnoticed/albums/72157656043480153
I hope we get to see you there, please do say hello if you do. Doors open at 7 pm and we will try to get the heats started as close to 7:30 pm as possible.
Peter Dore-Smith
Director
Kaffeine Ltd
66 Great Titchfield st.
15 Eastcastle st.