Date: Sunday 20th September
Time: 8:30 -6:00 pm
Venue: AUT WG Building – 2 Governor Fitzroy Place, Auckland CBD
Schedule
9:15 AM Tsubasa Nico Nozaki representing Sketchbook Coffee/New Chapter, Wellington
9:30 AM Bill Zheng, Independent, Auckland
9:45 AM Hitoshi Araya** representing Frank’s Coffee, Wellington
10:00 AM Julie Suzuki representing Starbucks New Zealand, Auckland
10:15 AM Takashi Ueno representing Grey Roasting Co., Hamilton
10:25 AM Dennis Yu Hsin Hsueh representing DEMIS Cafe, Hamilton
10:45 AM Daniel Woodhouse representing Grey Roasting Co., Hamilton
11:00 AM Tiffany Goh representing EOS Coffee, Auckland
11:15 AM Parmveer Singh representing Dulcie Eatery, Auckland
11:30 AM Yoonhee Jeong representing Mojo Coffee, Auckland
11:45 AM Jenny Kim representing Atomic Coffee Roasters, Auckland
12:00 PM Bryan Rajeyya Grey Roasting Co., Hamilton
**Ineligible to officially rank or progress to the final round under the championship entry requirements.
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Competitor Line Up:
Yoonhee Jeong representing Mojo Coffee, Auckland
Entering my first competition to test my skills, learn from great baristas, and find out if all those extra practice pours were worth it
Bryan Rajeyya Grey Roasting Co., Hamilton
I love being be able to express myself in this creative way! The Championship is always a good challenge for me and will help me get better at my craft.
Dennis Yu Hsin Hsueh representing DEMIS Cafe, Hamilton
To share my perspective of latte art
Tiffany Goh representing EOS Coffee, Auckland
Fulfilling a dream of mine to compete on stage and share my passion for latte art!
Daniel Woodhouse representing Grey Roasting Co., Hamilton
I love competing because it is the best opportunity to learn and strive for excellence as a barista. It is a way to stay connected to the people in the industry and support each other as well.
Jenny Kim representing Atomic Coffee Roasters, Auckland
Because fun, and I love challenging myself.
Julie Suzuki representing Starbucks New Zealand, Auckland
It’s my first time competing in the Latte Art Championship, so I want to challenge myself to learn and grow. I’m excited to compare myself from the first day I did my free pour and to now.
Parmveer Singh representing Dulcie Eatery, Auckland
Latte art has been my passion since I began my journey as a barista nearly 10 years ago. Competing is an opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, refine my skills and continue growing both personally and professionally.
Tsubasa Nico Nozaki representing Sketchbook Coffee/New Chapter, Wellington
I’m here to bring joy through my performance and share the excitement of latte art. I hope my routine makes your heart race and leaves you smiling. This is my final latte art championship, so let’s make it unforgettable and enjoy every moment together!
Bill Zheng, Independent, Auckland
Learn something new and meet good people
Hitoshi Araya representing Frank’s Coffee, Wellington
Since I became a barista, I really like making latte art.
I’m excited to share my latte art with everyone again this time, and I hope you enjoy watching my performance!
Takashi Ueno representing Grey Roasting Co., Hamilton
Latte art never gets boring, and I’d love to share my passion for it.
Judges Line Up:
Judging in the Latte Art Championship is dependent on passing the calibration prior to the competition
- Thanh Nghia (Neil) Ly | Independent
WCC Certified Judge (Latte Art Visual, Barista Sensory & Technical); NZ, Singapore, HK & Vietnam Latte Art Championships 2024–2025; Vietnam, NZ, Philippines & Singapore National Barista Championships - Damon Dickons | Toasted Coffee Roasters
2024 Latte Art Champs - Ailene Ryan | Starbucks NZ
Internal Starbucks NZ & Asia Pacific Regional Judging - Ken Shi | Aoraki Coffee Roaster
Visual, Head & Support Judge, Meadow Fresh NZ Latte Art Championship 2017–2025 - Joseph Heo | Independent
Visual Judge, 2023 NZ Latte Art Championship - Kayoko Nakamura | UCC Coffee
Latte Art judge 2019, 2021, 2023–2025; Barista Comp judge 2018, 2021–2025 - Adrian Mancuso | Criteria Coffee
WBC, WBrC & WCIGS certified judge - Tomoko Harris-Aickin | Starbucks NZ
First-time judge - Evanne Impas | Starbucks NZ
First-time judge - Nelson Ik Run Soon | Starbucks NZ
NZ Latte Art Championship 2024 & 2025, NZ Brewers Cup 2026 - Gong Xuan Yeoh | Parable House
Visual Judge (Final Panel), NZ Latte Art Championship 2024 & 2025 - Masashi Tanaka | Toasted
First-time judge - Kate Ka Pik Chan | Cupping Room Coffee Roaster
Head Judge, Vietnam Barista Championship 2026 & Hong Kong Barista Championship 2025; Sensory Judge, World Barista Championship 2025 & NZ Barista Championship 2025 - David Huang | Society Coffee Roasters
NZ National Latte Art Judge since 2010; NZ National Barista Judge since 2020; WBC Certified Sensory Judge (Seoul 2017, Amsterdam 2018, Melbourne 2022, Athens 2023); World Latte Art Championship Visual Judge, Taipei 2023 - Andrew Feldon | Mouthwater Coffee Company
Judging annually since 2009 - Hoony Chae |
The Aotearoa Latte Art Championships 2026 is kindly supported by:
- Principal: Confirmed three-year 2024/25/26 Meadow Fresh
Sponsors:
- Machinery: Confirmed three-year 2024/25/26 La Marzocco NZ
- Cleaning Supplies: Confirmed three-year 2024/25/26 Cafetto
- Ceramics/Porcelain: Confirmed three-year 2024/25/26 Acme Cup Co
- Alternative Milk: Boring
- Coffee: Hummingbird
- Grinder: AMC Roastery Supply
- Sponsor: Ārepa