Ben Morrow of Melbourne’s Sensory Lab is the 2016 Australian Pura Latte Champion. The St Ali Family proudly took first and second place in the competition, with Shinsaku ‘Shin’ Fukayama of Sensory Lab winning runner up, and Jibbi Little of Skittle Lane winning third place.
The competition, hosted by the Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA), attracted hundreds of supporters, tourists, and passersby at Queensbridge Square along Southbank, Melbourne from 4 – 5 March. The open air event was held in collaboration with the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
“I’m so shocked to have finally won the event,” Ben said. “I saw the silver trophy in the corner of my eye and thought: ‘I bet I’m going to win second place again.’ Another silver trophy wouldn’t look so bad in my collection, but this time I got the gold so I’m very happy.”
Ben has been competing in the latte art coffee championships for the past six years. He has twice placed runner up at the national level, including last year to Cafenatics barista Caleb Cha, who went on to win the World Latte Art Championship (WLAC).
For his routine, Ben pushed his skill and technique using a combination of free pour and etching. He produced three patterns identical to the images he displayed in front of the sensory judges, including a Hungry Hummingbird, a Beautiful Fox design, and a Busting Heart design, which he produced in a 10-minute routine.
Caleb is the reigning WLAC, but only for a few months longer. The question now, is can Australia win the WLAC back to back?
“Of course,” Ben said. “Every country is working hard and pushing their designs to the limit, especially Korea, Japan and China. Since baristas have global access to imagery, people are learning techniques and patterns everywhere and anywhere.
We’re living in a golden era of coffee in terms of techniques, technology, coffee processing, and access to quality beans.
It’s no surprise to anyone that our barista talent is at an all time high. We have lifted our game again after having Caleb win the WLAC, and the exciting thing for Australia is that any of our finalists could have represented the country on the world stage.”
Ben will compete in the WLAC in Shanghai, China from 29 March – 1 April.
Thursday 10 March marks the beginning of Melbourne Coffee Week (MCW), an entire week of coffee fuelled events celebrating Melbourne’s coffee culture. To kick-start the festivities, Panama Dining Room will host the MCW official launch party and the ASCA Australian Coffee in Good Spirits Championship.
From 11 – 12 March, Veneziano Coffee Roasters in Richmond will host the ASCA Australian Brewers Cup Championship, and Australian Huhtamaki Cup Tasters Championship on 12 March.
The Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) will host the ASCA Australian Barista Championship from 17 – 19 March.
About Melbourne Coffee Week
Melbourne Coffee Week is making its debut in 2016 from 10 – 17 March 2016. The week will see venues around Melbourne host special coffee events to grow the city’s awareness of the richness of its coffee industry. All events will be listed on www.melbournecoffeeweek.com.au
About Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE2016)
The Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) is the largest dedicated coffee show in the Southern Hemisphere. MICE2016 will welcome more than 120 exhibitors, featuring the latest in espresso equipment, coffee brewing devices, exotic and expensive coffee beans, roasting equipment, and more. The event will take place from 17 – 19 March 2016 at the Melbourne Showgrounds. For more information visit www.internationalcoffeeexpo.com
Follow MICE on Twitter @MelbCoffeeExpo #MICE2016, on Facebook www.facebook.com/MelbCoffeeExpo or Instagram instagram.com/melbournecoffeeexpo
