KY vs. TN Latte Art Throwdown Continues Grand Tradition

The Kentucky vs. Tennessee latte art throwdown has become one of the region’s most looked-forward-to events of the year, and 2015’s installment was no exception

BY JUSTIN SHEPHERD

SPECIAL TO BARISTA MAGAZINE

Forty-eight baristas competing for bragging rights and killer prizes hustled their way into the roster of the annual Kentucky vs. Tennessee Latte Art Throwdown that took place at Spencer’s Coffee in Bowling Green, Ky. in late 2015 as soon as it was open for sign-ups. When the eagerly anticipated day of the event finally arrived, roasters drove from a 300-mile radius, sampling some of their finest beans and giving guests tips on how to brew their best coffee at home. Picture-perfect lattes were poured, purchased, and enjoyed by a packed

house. Best of all, well over $1,000 was raised in a single evening to benefit an amazing local nonprofit. It was the Kentucky vs. Tennessee Latte Art Throwdown & Caffeination Celebration—there’s just really nothing else quite like it.

Baristas and roasters traveled from as many as 300 miles away to join in the fun at the 4th annual KYTN Latte Art Throwdown held at Spencer’s Coffee in Bowling Green, Ky. Photo by Loren Gifford.

Now in its fourth year, the KYTN Throwdown—sponsored by La Marzocco USA and Pantechnicon Design of Seattle, the event drew baristas from all over Kentucky and Tennessee (and even Houston and New York City) for a raucous latte art competition that was as competitive as any other. The 48-person bracket included baristas from Sunergos Coffee and Quills Coffee of Louisville; Barista Parlor, Steadfast Coffee, and Crema of Nashville; just to name a few of the awesome coffeehouses represented, and were judged by the power trio of Emily Sill (formerly of Quills Coffee and Barista Parlor, now with Revelator Coffee), La Marzocco’s David LaMont, and past Coffee Fest Latte Art Champ Ryan Soeder.

The poker-faced judges. Photo by Loren Gifford.

The baristas competed for prizes from sponsors including Saint Anthony Industries, Baratza, Prima Coffee, Acaia, Brew Global, MistoBox, Barista Magazine, Ancap USA, Caffe Werks, Able Brewing, Sunergos Coffee and Sprudge. Audience members were treated not only to the competition, but also to pastries and craft beer, and could pre-purchase the lattes being poured during the competition—and all proceeds from purchases and competition buy-ins went to the Center for Courageous Kids, a donor-supported nonprofit camp in nearby Scottsville, Ky. that serves families of children with special needs. Steadfast & Sunergos also brewed up their finest coffees via Chemex and GS/3 for sampling during the event.

Baristas competed on a brand new, three-group La Marzocco Linea PB, customized with white powder coat and walnut accessories by Jacob Ellul-Blake at Pantechnicon Design. Photo by Loren Gifford.

A new wrinkle for KYTN4 was the addition of a Dice Round, in which baristas were forced to pour a specific design into a specifically-sized cup. This led to at least one epic swan-off, and provided a more challenging test of overall barista skills. And for the first time, the KYTN host came away with the win, as Spencer’s lead barista Nathaniel Settle took first over second-place Lydia Huested of Sunergos Coffee, and third-place John Quinn of High Brow of Franklin, Tenn.

Kenny Smith of Sunergos, deep in competition mode. Photo by Loren Gifford.

All told, it was a night of great coffee, great community and great compassion. The miles between Louisville and Nashville (not to mention a dozen other cities) were made miniscule; the barriers that can separate customers and cashiers were broken down over steamed milk and shared laughs. And $1,350 was raised for the Center for Courageous Kids, a facility whose amazing work I have seen firsthand, as my two sons are both on the autism spectrum.

Forty-eight baristas competed for amazing prizes and bragging rights at the 4th annual KYTN Latte Art Throwdown. Photo by Loren Gifford.

For more information on participating in and/or sponsoring the 2016 KYTN Throwdown, email justin@spencerscoffee.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Justin Shepherd is owner/operator/aficionado of Spencer’s Coffee, and the creator of the KY/TN Latte Art Throwdown. For tips on creating your own charitable coffee event, or to volunteer as a sponsor for next year’s event, email justin@spencerscoffee.com. And be sure to check out Justin’s blog on coffee brewing, retail and education at medium.com/irregular-coffee.

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