Here’s a more casual approach to a Latte Art throwdown from the NZ Barista Guild… There may also be a wheel of art thrown in for fun here!
22nd July
Coffee Embassy
107 Fitzgerald Ave, Christchurch
5:30pm
28th July
Peoples Coffee Cafe
12 Constable street, Newtown, Wellington
6:00pm
Winner takes all! One Jug & One Shot
Latte Art Throw Down Rules
This is a more casual throw down that can take place no matter how many baristas are present. Its fun and fast paced
Each competitor must pour 1 drink; 1 Jug 1 Shot
A. Competitor Signup
• No limit on competitors.
• $5 in the jug to enter, winner takes all.
B. Competition time/Competitor requirements
• Competitor will have 3 minutes total behind the machine. It is not necessary to fill the whole 3 minutes.
• Competitors do not have to pull their own shots, they will be poured for them.
• Each competitor will get one pitcher/jug of milk, and only one opportunity to steam.
• Espresso and milk are provided, and those are the only choices.
• The latte art be must free pour, no etching or sauces allowed.
• Once the drink is poured the competitor will place it on the designated space to be judged.
C. Judging
• The drinks will be judged in 4 categories.
Balance & Symmetry
Dividing lines are clean, even, and show no signs of hesitation.
Individual elements work well with and compliment each other.
Colour Infusion & Definition
The contrast between the whiteness of the foam, and the darkness of the crema
How infused or intertwined the brownness of the crema is with the whiteness of the foam
The intention of the design is obvious and clear
Use of Space
The design fills the cup with in an appropriate and pleasant way
The design neither crowds the cup, nor leaves it feeling empty or unfinished
There is a harmony between the size of the cup and size of the design
Overall Impression
Drink is free of spill marks and cup is appropriately full of liquid
General aesthetic appeal
Types of Judging:
There are two different approaches that may be used in judging:
There may be 3 judges, and on the count of 3 they point to the cup they feel best suits the design called for and/or the criteria as stated above the winner moving to the next round or pairing, knockout style!
Or
There will be 2 judges and after the coffee is presented on the judges bench/space, the judges will write down a score for each category and add to a total score. The scores will be kept private till every competitor has competed. Then the top 6, 4 or even the top two scores will be announced. And a final playoff using the same scoring will commence. Scores at this stage can be openly called. Winner takes all!
Each of the 2 judges can award up to 6 points in each category, giving the possibility of a perfect score in a category being 12, and in perfect score in all categories 48.
• Judges can award 1 to 6 points. 0’s are not allowed.
• The scale works as follows:
One point = Acceptable
Two points = Average
Three points = Good
Four points = Very Good
Five points = Excellent
Six points = Extraordinary
Wherever possible there should be no conflict of interest between competitors and judges, i.e. partners, business partners, co-workers or friends.