Latest news with #LatteArtChampionship
The Hindu
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Latte Art Champion 2025 hails from Roastery Coffee House
Mohammed Afsar, winner of the National Latte Art Championship 2025 at the India International Coffee Festival (in its third year), is on cloud nine, and for good reason. Not only did he clinch the top title, but all the other four winners were also from his team. Afsar, who currently serves as the National Coffee Mentor for Roastery Coffee House India, will now shift his focus to the World Latte Art Championship to be held in Zurich, Switzerland, in June. What goes into a Latte Art Championship? Think of it like a cooking competition. Your work is not just about the final dish. 'Similarly, in the Latte Art Championship, we're judged on everything — from the setup of our workstation, cleanliness, and organisation to explaining the drink, the brewing method, temperature, technique, and finally, the latte itself,' explains Afsar. 'For this round, I chose designs that reflect the current state of the world.' Baristas from different cities participate in this competition that involves three to four rounds before one reaches the final round. Apart from latte art, the barista is also questioned on his or her understanding of coffee. This is not Afsar's first brush with the spotlight. Representing Roastery since the festival's inception in 2023, he won the championship that year and was the first runner-up in 2024. From server to champion His journey began as a server at Café Coffee Day (CCD) in 2017. 'I was just looking for a job at the time, and CCD hired me,' says Afsar. 'While working, I began learning about service, coffee brews, and customer experience. It sparked my curiosity.' Afsar eventually moved on to a specialty coffee brand, where his understanding of coffee deepened. In 2022, he joined Roastery Coffee House in Delhi as a barista. With no formal training in coffee, he relied on hands-on learning and relentless practice, especially when it came to mastering latte art. 'Everyone wants to jump straight into latte art when they start working at a coffee shop. But it is much more than just making swans and roses in a cup.' Once he felt confident in his latte art skills, he began focusing on the broader nuances of brewing. He credits much of his growth to the mentorship of Nishant Sinha at Roastery. 'Encouragement at work matters. I was supported, and now I want to do the same for my team. Teamwork is a core value at Roastery, and as the coffee mentor, it's something I actively uphold.' With passion, persistence, and a strong work ethic, Afsar's journey from server to national champion is proof that brewing excellence takes more than just good beans — it takes heart. As he prepares for the world championship, Afsar says his focus will be on refining both his art and presentation. 'I'll be representing the country, and I want the world to take notice of India's evolving coffee culture.'
Hans India
28-04-2025
- Business
- Hans India
India International Coffee Festival concludes
Bengaluru: The three-day India International Coffee Festival (IICF) 2025, which began on April 24 at Chamara Vajra, Jayamahal Main Road, concluded on Sunday. The event was organised by the Speciality Coffee Association of India (SCAI) under the Coffee Board's directive. DM Purnesh, President of SCAI, highlighted the overwhelming response from coffee stakeholders, with over 100 stalls expected at the festival. These stalls will feature coffee companies, roasters, growers, equipment vendors, and food stalls. Notably, the festival will also feature prestigious championships such as the Barista Championship, Latte Art Championship, Brewer's Cup Championship, Coffee in Good Spirits, and Filter Coffee Championship, with the finals taking place at the IICF. SCAI has been given permission by the Coffee Board to organise the festival for the next 10 years. The association, which has over 60 members, has broadened its scope beyond coffee growers to include roasters, machinery importers, traders, curers, and cafe owners. India is the world's seventh-largest coffee producer and the fifth-largest exporter, with over two-thirds of its 3.5 lakh tonnes of annual production being exported. Domestic coffee consumption in India is estimated at 95,000 tonnes, as per Crisil estimates. Additionally, India had hosted the World Coffee Conference in September 2023.
Zawya
13-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
World of Coffee Dubai 20205 attracts 17,000 visitors with 30% YOY Growth
Mondrick Alpas from Goldbox x Heirloom wins Latte Art Championship Raha Shahsavar named Roaster of the Year Bluewater win Best New Product Dubai, UAE: World of Coffee Dubai 2025 saw attendance figures break 17,000, up on the 13,000 specialized visitors in 2024. The three-day even concluded Wednesday having returned for its fourth edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The record-breaking event welcomed almost 2,000 participating companies including over 130 new ones. The exhibition space increased by a third to accommodate over 250 international exhibiting companies and trade visitors from 78 countries, including 10 national pavilions, with Morocco and Mexico make debut appearances. Khalid Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President at DXB Live, commented: 'This huge year-on-year increase is testament to the ever-growing importance of World of Coffee Dubai, which is now one of the most influential events in the global coffee industry. The event has provided an unparalleled platform for more brands and countries than ever to showcase products, exchange insights, and build lasting partnerships that drive the specialty coffee sector forward.' A range of awards were also handed out on the final day celebrating the best, brightest and most innovative in the industry. At the UAE National Barista Championships, Aldy Nugroho from The Espresso Lab was named barista of the year, with Lablilell Bajarias from Heirloom in second place and Hootan Salemi from The QC coming third. The UAE National Barista Championship showcased the art and skill of coffee craftsmanship, highlighting excellence in the profession. Each competitor had 15 minutes to prepare and present four espressos, four milk-based drinks, and four unique signature drinks, all set to music. Judges assessed their performances based on flavor, creativity, technical precision, cleanliness, and overall presentation. Mondrick Alpas from Goldbox x Heirloom won the UAE National Latte Art Championship. Second was Jhomar Moralas from Benchmark and Kerwin Alcoriza from Univest National Food placed third. Latte art is the practice of creating intricate designs and patterns on the surface of a latte by skillfully pouring steamed milk into espresso. It requires a combination of technical precision, artistic creativity, and an understanding of milk texture and espresso extraction. Baristas must master the microfoam technique, ensuring the milk has a smooth, velvety consistency that allows for detailed designs. Common techniques include free pouring, where the barista manipulates the milk flow to form patterns and etching, which involves using tools such as toothpicks or stencils to draw more intricate images. The inaugural UAE National Roasting Championship saw Raha Shahsavar win the first competition of its kind in the MENA region. The championship celebrated the skill and precision of coffee roasting, bringing roasters from across the UAE together to compete on a national stage. Recognizing outstanding examples of innovation and creativity, shaping the future of the coffee industry, the Coffee Design Awards went to Rahul Reddy in the packaging category for Subko, and Ana Marquez in the branding category for El Boske. Best New Product was received by Maximillian Lundin from Bluewater Group for its water purification system. Khalid Al Mulla CEO of SCA UAE Chapter said, 'The Coffee Design Award and Best New Product Award highlight the exceptional talent and innovation shaping the future of the coffee industry. These awards not only celebrate creativity but also foster collaboration between industry leaders and emerging innovators. We are proud to recognize the groundbreaking contributions of this year's winners, whose work will undoubtedly influence the next chapter of specialty coffee.' About World of Coffee Dubai World of Coffee Dubai (WOC Dubai) is the premier coffee trade show for exhibitors and visitors looking to break into the Middle East's burgeoning coffee industry. The event showcases popular features like the Roaster Village, engaging lectures, the Cupping Room, the SCA UAE National Championships, the Coffee Design Awards, the Best New Display Product Competition, Brew Bar, and the SCA Community Lounge, where buyers and sellers come together to reconnect and establish new business relationships. The exhibition welcomes local, regional, and global professionals in the coffee industry including producers, manufacturers, traders, farmers, international experts, distributors, small and medium companies, coffee shops, roasters, hotels, and coffee enthusiasts from around the world. About DXB LIVE DXB LIVE, the premier event management and experiential agency of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) offers a comprehensive range of services, providing innovative solutions for all types of events and experiences both within the UAE and internationally. Over the years, DXB LIVE has successfully created a fully integrated and globally recognized experiential environment, driven by its state-of-the-art in-house production facilities and advanced technical expertise. The team covers strategic concept planning, design, and marketing that blends perfectly into a holistic experience for businesses and consumers from around the globe. DXB LIVE, with its global vision, has emerged as a transformative force in Dubai's event landscape.
