MELBOURNE, Australia – From 15 – 18 May at the Melbourne Showgrounds, the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE2014) will serve as the setting for one of the world’s most prestigious coffee competitions.
Baristas from more than 30 countries, who have won at their national level, will pour their best latte art to a panel of judges. Two rounds of competition, held over the four days, will determine who is the world’s best latte artist.
Australia has historically performed better at the World Latte Art Championships than any other competition, with Scottie Callaghan winning in 2006, Jack Hanna in 2007, and Con Haralambopoulos in 2008.
With the competition taking place for the first time on Australian soil next week, the pressure will be on for our reigning Australian Latte Art Champion Rie Moustakas from Gloria Jeans to win back the title.
In addition to this spectacular competition, MICE2014 will be buzzing with activity, as Australia’s largest coffee-dedicated expo. From the latest in coffee-brewing devices, to exotic and expensive coffee beans, MICE has emerged as one of the world’s leading coffee expos, highlighting why our city has some of the best coffee in the world.
About Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE2014)
The Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) is Australia’s largest dedicated coffee event. In 2013, the event welcomed over 150 exhibitors and 10,000 visitors, featuring the latest developments in the coffee industry. MICE will take place from 15 – 18 May 2014 at the Melbourne Showgrounds.
The 2014 event will host the Australian Specialty Coffee Championships, The World Latte Art Championship, and the World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship.
About Australian Specialty Coffee Association (AASCA)
Founded in 2001 by a group of passionate coffee professionals, the Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) gives the specialty coffee industry in Australia a voice. AASCA is a not-for-profit, whole-of-industry association with Australia-wide coverage, registered under federal legislation.
The association has over 10 categories of membership and is open to anyone who is interested in specialty coffee. www.aasca.com
About World Latte Art Championship (WLAC)
The World Latte Art Championship highlights artistic expression in a competition platform that challenges the barista in an on-demand performance. Classic milk and espresso drinks are topped with designs of the barista’s creation, with emphasis on taste, replication, and creativity. www.worldlatteart.org
About World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship (WCIGS)
The World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship promotes innovative beverage recipes that showcase coffee and spirits in a competition format.
From the traditional Irish coffee to unique cocktail combinations, this competition highlights the barista’s skills to perfectly combine coffee and alcohol. www.worldcoffeeingoodspirits.org
About World Cup Tasters Championship (WCTC)
The World Cup Tasters Championship awards the professional coffee cupper who demonstrates speed, skill, and accuracy in distinguishing the taste differences in specialty coffees. Coffees of the world have many distinct taste characteristics and in this competition format the objective is for the cupper to discriminate between the different coffees. www.worldcuptasters.org.
