Pouring For The Gold
The Millrock Free Pour Latte Art Championship is a type of Barista competition held a few times a year at Coffee Fest, a Specialty Coffee trade show. As hinted in the name, this is a competition in art only. Taste doesn't matter, participants are judged only on the swirling patterns in their foam. Only forty baristas are allowed to participate, and competitors can enter from all over the world. Last weekend Coffee Fest was held in New Jersey. Being so close to home, a few brave Gimme Baristas could not resist the urge to strut their stuff.
James Neidhart and Brett Barker, who regularly serve up delightful drinks at our state street store, were our baristas who rose to the challenge. The key to this event is well textured milk and steady hands. James and I carpooled and unfortunately underestimated the sprawl of Jersey City. It is not helpful to arrive frazzled to an event where all eyes are upon you.
James pulled it off; pouring beautiful tulips for the judges. Brett stayed traditional and offered up some lovely rosettas.The competitors have five minutes to pour up to three drinks. The drinks entered in the competition are judged on symmetry, how the design sits in the cup, contrast in color and whether or not the drink is pleasing to look at. Both James and Brett poured well under pressure, but neither one supplied exactly what the judges were looking for. The most important thing is that they both had fun, and look forward to competing again. Which means lots of practicing, on you! Thanks for letting them work their magic on your lattes and cappuccinos, I hope you don't mind the beautiful art.
James pulled it off; pouring beautiful tulips for the judges. Brett stayed traditional and offered up some lovely rosettas.The competitors have five minutes to pour up to three drinks. The drinks entered in the competition are judged on symmetry, how the design sits in the cup, contrast in color and whether or not the drink is pleasing to look at. Both James and Brett poured well under pressure, but neither one supplied exactly what the judges were looking for. The most important thing is that they both had fun, and look forward to competing again. Which means lots of practicing, on you! Thanks for letting them work their magic on your lattes and cappuccinos, I hope you don't mind the beautiful art. c
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