Some of Sydney’s best baristas came together at Paradox Coffee Roasters’ Sydney roastery to compete at the Alternative Barista Smackdown on 13 October.
The Sydney coffee community turned-up with over 100 spectators cheering on the 26 baristas who went head-to-head in a fast-paced, knock-out style latte art competition using Paradox Coffee Roasters’ specialty Penny Lane blend and Alternative plant-based milk.
The action took place at Paradox Coffee Roasters’ Sydney roastery with its state-of-the-art Brambati coffee roaster the perfect backdrop for the coffee competition.
Judging the smackdown was the 2022 Australian Latte Art Champion Amy Zhang, Paradox Coffee Roasters Training Manager Melita Ferraro, and accredited World Latte Art judge Sam Taylor.
At the start of each round the big spinning wheel was spun and baristas watched intently hoping it would land on their favourite latte art pattern and plant-based milk combination to recreate. The options on the wheel included a tulip, swan, heart and free pour using either soy, almond or oat milk by The Alternative Dairy.
Baristas put their best coffees forward, placing their latte art creation side by side on the judges table with the judges placing a pin next to the best latte art as determined by the definition and contrast between the milk and espresso, clearly defined lines and the ability of the barista to achieve the complex pattern. After some close rounds and eliminations, the final two competitors left standing were Harry Lin and Amos Sharma Chapagain.
In a head-to-head battle, the baristas each used a free pour pattern with three different Alternative milks with the best out of three the overall winner. It was a close call with the judges taking extra time to deliberate before placing a pin next to the winning creations by Harry Lin. His swan, sea horse and heart made with soy, almond and oat milk took out the top spot of the night and earned him $1000 in prize money. Amos Sharma Chapagain was runner-up with Dao Pirada Tunggbenjaphol taking out third place.
