02-05-2025
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.'
