Welcome to the Coffee Fest Latte Art World Championship Open
Welcome to the Coffee Fest Latte Art World Championship Open
SPONSORS
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This exciting 64-competitor, bracket-style, sudden-death format features head-to-head competition as "a match" between the competitors.
The competitor receiving the highest score from the three judges advances to the next round and the loser is eliminated. Competitors produce one free-pour drink for the judges (no etching, tool, powders, etc. - just milk and espresso), which is then scored against the competitor at the facing machine.
COMPETITION DETAILS
When applications go live, they will be shared via email and across Coffee Fest social platforms.
For those applying to compete, a $60 entry fee is required for competitors. You will need to provide five latte art examples with at least three being varying designs. Allowed file types are jpeg, png, and pdf. The maximum file size is 5MB and 1600 pixels by 1600 pixels per image. Please no duplicates, pictures need to be well lit, and we do not accept any etching.
LATTE ART WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OPEN - SELECTION PROCESS
Please watch the video below regarding the selection process for the LAWCO competitor bracket.
For subtitles, please click the CC button in the video.
As noted in the video, the selection process outlines:
Onsite Competitor Meeting and Alternate process:
COFFEE FEST LATTE ART WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OPEN
Rules, Regulations, and Code of Conduct - last updated February 8, 2023
The Set-Up:Each of the two stations are equipped with:
*Competitors are encouraged to bring their own tamper, milk pitcher, and cups
The Espresso Machine Will Be Pre-Calibrated to the Following Profile:
On Deck:
At The Start
Finish
1 Point per Category:
Suspension or Disqualification:
Coffee Fest Latte Art World Championship Open takes competitor disqualification and or suspension very seriously and will not arrive upon a disqualification and or suspension decision lightly. Any disqualification will be agreed upon by all three judges and the show director. Please see the Code of Conduct tab for information regarding causes for disqualification.
Alternate:
Should a competitor fail to show up, an alternate will be permitted to take their place. Alternates must arrive at the competition venue at the designated time to receive their raffle ticket. Alternates will be selected at random by their raffle ticket number. Previous champions may not compete as alternates.
No-Show/Pulling From Bracket:
If a competitor is to pull from the competition after the bracket has been set or is not present for their match on-site, a "no-show" will be set against their record and may impact future competing opportunities.
Prize Money:
*Prize money has changed for the 2023 competition year.*
LATTE ART WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OPEN - JUDGING CRITERIA
Each of the judges compares the drink presented by the two competitors in each match and award 1 point to the competitor with the best presentation in each of the seven categories. The competitor receiving the most points on each of the judge's scorecard will be the winner. The competitor will advance by virtue of the judge's scores of 3 to 0 sweep or 2 to 1.
Judging is Based on Seven Categories:**While Coffee Fest will provide some cups, we recommend that competitors provide their own steaming pitcher, tamper and cup(s) to achieve their best result.
Code of Conduct - last updated February 8, 2023
Suspension or Disqualification:
Coffee Fest Latte Art World Championship Open takes competitor disqualification and or suspension very seriously and will not arrive upon a disqualification and or suspension decision lightly. Any disqualification will be agreed upon by all three judges and the show director.
Code of Conduct & Causes For Disqualification:
Clarion Events (Coffee Fest) provides equal opportunities to all competitors and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, or genetics. We have zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind and we aim to provide a supportive environment for our competitors where everyone is treated fairly and with respect.
We will not tolerate:
Chris Deferio, Keys to the Shop Podcast
Head Judge
Chris Deferio is an 18 year veteran of the specialty coffee industry. Over the years working in the trenches of some of the nation's best shops Chris has taken on many roles - from award-winning barista work, bar training, and competition - to management, business development, and consultation. His focus and passion is helping cafes develop the foundational elements for success in caring for their staff, customer, and coffee quality. He now runs Keys to the Shop, a leading industry podcast and consultation business based in Louisville, KY, where he lives with his wife, son, and probably too many coffee mugs.
Terika Raak currently works for Caffe Vita. She has been in the industry for more than ten years and continues to get excited about learning new things each day. Over the past few years, Terika has enjoyed judging at barista competitions and competing in whatever latte art throwdown she can find.
Each event will also have a Guest Judge from the local specialty coffee community.
NYC - Aliyyah Baylor, I Like It Black & Make My Cake
LOU - Guest Judge, TBA
ANA - Guest Judge, TBA
ORD - Guest Judge, TBA
PREVIOUS COMPETITION WINNERS
Anaheim 2023
1. Lane Tanaka - Sugar Land, Texas
2. Walter "Proph" Alarcon - Brooklyn, New York
3. Geo Navarrete - Nashville, Tennessee
Louisville 2023
1. Matty Bolchi - Rochester Hills, Michigan
2. Mitchell Gibson - Loxahatchee, Florida
3. Lane Tanaka - Sugar Land, Texas
New York 2023
1. Matty Bolchi - Rochester Hills, Michigan
2. Queena Feng - New York, New York
3. Lane Tanaka - Sugar Land, Texas
PNW 2022
1. Matty Bolchi - Rochester Hills, Michigan
2. Mason Marth - Kissimmee, Florida
3. Lane Tanaka - Sugar Land, Texas
LA 2022
1. Nicolas Tanaka - Sugar Land, Texas
2. Lane Tanaka - Sugar Land, Texas
3. Weian Lang - San Leandro, California
Chicago 2022
1. Lane Tanaka - Sugar Land, Texas
2. Walter "Proph" Alarcon - Brooklyn, New York
3. Emilee Bryant - New York, New York
New York 2022
1. Sean Ben-Zvi – Brooklyn, New York
2. Matty Bolchi - Rochester Hills, Michigan
3. Ujae Lee - New York, New York
PNW/Portland 2021
1. Walter "Proph" Alarcon - Brooklyn, New York
2. Matty Bolchi - Rochester Hills, Michigan
3. Gerald Roldan - San Juan, Puerto Rico
Anaheim 2021
1. Nicolas Tanaka - Sugar Land, Texas
2. Proph - Brooklyn, New York
3. Emilee Bryant - New York, New York
Atlanta 2021
1. "Flook" Piyapat Lateerwut - New York, New York
2. Donald Perdermo - Mt. Vernon, New York
3. Emilee Bryant - New York, New York
San Antonio 2021
1. Proph - Brooklyn, New York
2. Matthew Bolchi - Rochester Hills, Michigan
3. Ujae Lee - New York, New York
New York 2020
1. Henry Berrios - Puerto Rico
2. Daisuke Tanaka - Japan
3. Zhong Hu - New York
PNW 2019
1. Emilee Bryant – New York
2. Proph – New York
3. Sean Ben-Zvi – New York
Los Angeles 2019
1. Umpaul – South Korea
2. Zhong Yi Hu – Oakland Gardens, New York
3. Lance Hedrick – Onyx Coffee Lab; Springdale, Arkansas
Indianapolis 2019
1. Mehdi Chung – San Francisco, California
2. Umpaul – South Korea
3. Zhong Yi Hu – Oakland Gardens, New York
New York 2019
1. Emilee Bryant – Greenway Coffee Company; Houston, Texas
2. Daisuke Tanaka – Turner Style; Osaka, Japan
3. Umpaul – South Korea
Los Angeles 2018
1. Ujae Lee – Plantshed; New York, NY
2. Daisuke Tanaka – Turner Style; Osaka, Japan
3. Mason Marth – Lineage Coffee Roasting; Kissimmee, Florida
Denver 2018
1. Mason Marth – Lineage Coffee Roasting; Kissimmee, Florida
2. Matthew Bolchi – Commonwealth; Rochester Hills, MI
3. Takehiro Okudaira - CAFERISTA; Nagareyama, Japan
Baltimore 2018
1. Lance Hedrick – Onyx Coffee Lab; Springdale, Arkansas
2. Ujae Lee – Plant Shed; New York, New York
3. Ryan Lim - Cafein; Burke, Virginia
Portland 2017
1. Antoine Franklin – Greenway Coffee; Houston, TX
2. Chris Lin – Milkglider; Taipei City, Taiwan
3. Daisuke Tanaka - Mondial Kaffee 328; Osaka, Japan
Chicago 2017
1. Lance Hedrick – Dr. Bean’s Coffee and Tea Emporium; Memphis, TN
2. Takashi Ueno – Cafe Agora; Hamilton, New Zealand
3. Ryan Soeder – Sunergos Coffee; Louisville, KY
Nashville 2017
1. Robert Kim - Bambina NewMarket; Auckland, New Zealand
2. Lance Hedrick - Dr. Bean's Coffee and Tea Emporium; Memphis, TN
3. Daisuke Tanaka - Mondial Kaffee 328; Osaka, Japan
Anaheim 2016
1. Nobumasa Shimoyama – Superrandom; Melbourne, Australia
2. Woodentamper Kim – Café Woodentamper; Seoul, South Korea
3. Supachai Swangumpi – Bangkok, Thailand
Dallas 2016
1. Shinsaku Fukayama – Sensory Lab; Washington D.C.
2. Antoine Franklin – Phoenix Coffee Co.; Cleveland, OH
3. Nobumasa Shimoyama – Superrandom; Brighton, Australia
New York 2016
1. Kwok Ying Lai - Sensory Zero; Hong Kong
2. Nobumasa Shimoyama - Superrandom; Brighton, Australia
3. Steven Lim - S&D Coffee and Tea; Concord, NC
Portland 2015
1. Steven Lim - S&D Coffee and Tea; Concord, NC
2. Bethany Hargrove - BARISTA; Portland, OR
3. Kunie Inaba - Platform7; Vancouver, B.C.
Osaka 2015
1. Hirokazu Azuma - Bar Zumaccino; Japan
2. Shu Konishi - % Arabica Kyoto; Japan
3. Kazuma Ozaki - The Cups; Japan
Chicago 2015
1. Daisuke Tanaka - Mondial Kaffee 328; Japan
2. Kenny Smith - Sunergos Coffee; Louisville, KY
3. Ryan Soeder - Intelligentsia Coffee; Chicago, IL
Atlanta 2015
1. Kenny Smith - Sunergos Coffee; Louisville, KY
2. John Letoto - Blacksmith; Houston, TX
3. Nicely Abel - Menotti's Coffee Stop; Venice, CA
Portland 2014
1. Yusuke Ota - Downstairs Coffee; Japan
2. Kenta Tamura - Double Tall Cafe; Japan
3. Daisuke Tanaka - Bondi Cafe; Japan
St. Louis 2014
1. Cole McBride - Public US; Las Vegas, NV
2. Simeon Briker - The Roasterie; Kansas City, MO
3. Kuzuma Ozaki - Air Cafe; Japan
Tokyo 2014
1. Junichi Yamaguchi - Arabica Kyoto
2. Takahiro Ando - Town Square Coffee Roasters
3. Nobu Shimoyama - OLiE & aRI
New York 2014
1. Cabell Tice - The Thinking Cup; Boston, MA
2. Lee Kam Wo
3. Junichi Yamaguchi - The Theatre Coffee; Yokohama
Seattle 2013
1. Cabell Tice - The Thinking Cup; Boston, MA
2. Nobu Shimoyama - South Yara; Austrailia
3. Junichi Yamaguchi - The Theatre Coffee; Yokohama
Chicago 2013
1. Jennifer Hyesung Chun - Buena Park, CA
2. Junichi Yamaguchi - Yokohama
3. Kenny Smith - Sunergos Coffee; Louisville, KY
This award will be given at the Latte Art World Championship Open at live Coffee Fest events to the latte artist who best embodies gentleness and kindness to others as voted by fellow latte art competitors.
The award honors Daniel Lee, a beloved competitor in the diverse latte art community who sadly passed away at a relatively young age in December 2021. His presence at Coffee Fest was evident and his kindness to all is his legacy. This award is meant to honor Daniel and his commitment to kindness for all people. It will be awarded during one of the final rounds at the Latte Art World Championship Open.
Recipients:
Coffee Fest Anaheim 2023 - Emilee Bryant
Coffee Fest Louisville 2023 - Lane Tanaka
Coffee Fest New York March 2023 - Marc Chuisano
Coffee Fest PNW/Seattle September 2022 - Alex Sciarrotta
Coffee Fest Los Angeles August 2022 - Joseph Gonzalez
Coffee Fest Chicago June 2022 - Donald Perdomo
Coffee Fest New York March 2022 - Walter "Proph" Alarcon
Looking for LAWCO photos?
Slow Pour Supply has graciously provided photography for the Latte Art Competition!
SLOW POUR SUPPLY ® is a specialty coffee tools company providing cafés, baristas, and coffee enthusiasts the most innovative coffee equipments that are currently available on the market. They specialize in latte art milk pitchers and pour-over equipments. You can find their milk pitchers in world-level latte art and barista competitions, or at your local specialty coffee shop. For more information, check out their website: slowpoursupply.co for retail/wholesale opportunities.