German barista Christian Ullrich was awarded the title of 2014 World Latte Art Champion at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) in May. But the title of Sydney’s best latte artist is still up for grabs, with Breville hosting a latte art competition at the Rocks Aroma Festival.
Twenty-four (24) professional baristas will compete in the first Aroma Festival Smackdown on Sunday 27 July. Using the Breville Oracle, competitors will have five minutes to recreate a latte design which is determined by a spin of the Latte Art Wheel.
The winner of the knockout competition will receive $1,750, second place $750 and third place $500. Entries are open until Thursday 24 July and baristas can register via the ASCA website.
The competition will be MCed by Breville’s coffee guru Phil McKnight and baristas can use the Oracle’s automatic or manual mode.
“It’s a fun way of getting the barista community to experience the award-winning Oracle – as well as a chance for these competitive and passionate coffee lovers to show off their skills,” McKnight said.
At its stand on the MCA lawn, Breville will also be conducting mini latte art tutorials for the public using the Oracle. Photos of all latte art will be taken and entered in a draw to win a Breville Oracle.
And if visitor’s feel like consulting a different kind of oracle on the day, $10 will buy them a 15-minute tea leaf reading with “an expert from The Argyle Oracle.”
The festival celebrating Sydney’s coffee culture will bring together more than 60 stalls, food trucks, pop-up bars and cafes, kids’ workshops, a coffee cup sculpture, a ‘bean to cup’ exhibition and a specialty coffee lab. Workshops and events will also run throughout July in the lead up to the festival.
The Aroma Festival will take place in The Rocks Sydney, 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday 27 July 2014. Full program details are available here.