Last night’s latte art throwdown with Not Just Coffee
The local coffee scene got competitive last night when 34 baristas were pitted against each other to create the best latte art they could muster. They were judged for symmetry, contrast, complexity of design, overall use of space and impression.
The judges were Matthew McDaniel of Counter Culture, Joel Tracey of Culture Initiative and Rusty Angell of Bunn.
James Yoder of Not Just Coffee said a #TNT (Thursday Night Throwdown) like this is a widespread phenomenon. Recent throwdowns took place in Asheville and Greenville.
Throwdowns had actually been a monthly part of Charlotte’s coffee scene until about six months ago. So why the sudden resurgence?
“Our business is growing — and just coffee culture in general,” Yoder said.
A (pleasantly) rowdy crowd surged into Not Just Coffee at Atherton Mill in South End with beer and wine and climbed on tables to catch the competition. It was kind of like a rock concert, Chris Sirico of Not Just Coffee said.
Rodney Nava, another barista at Not Just Coffee, said a primary purpose of latte art is “making customers happy.”
But these competitive rounds were all about style: tulip art design, barista’s choice, a speed round, the behind-the-back-or-under-the-leg-pours, and the final round: free pour.
(Overheard: “I don’t even know what’s happening, but it looks rad.”)
In between the shouts and cheers and the mad rush of milk pouring, audience member Sydney Cummings shared her impression of Charlotte’s coffee culture: “I think it’s more artistic than any place I’ve ever lived.”
“They keep it as more of a lifestyle,” said audience member Tara Bedard of local coffee companies. “It’s a fashion vibe, but with coffee.”
The room was filled with baristas from all over the area including The Daily Press, Rush Espresso and Not Just Coffee of Charlotte, as well as Ally of Greenville, SC.
“I love the fact that we get people from different shops and different communities working together,” said Brady Butler of Stockton Graham and Co., who helped coordinate the event.
Again, this was like more of a rock concert with random band members collaborating to entertain. But someone still had to win.
In the first-ever three-person final round, Micah Sherer of Ally joined Devin Forbes and Taylor Williams, both formerly of Not Just Coffee, behind the counter. Sherer slammed down a phoenix design (right), Forbes swirled up a tulip (center) and Williams came flying in with a swan (left) — for the win.
As for all of those lattes — they got passed through the crowd. Art never tasted so good.
This story was originally published October 1, 2015 at 11:15 PM with the headline "Last night’s latte art throwdown with Not Just Coffee."