In celebration of the one-year anniversary of its opening, Know Where Coffee, located at 1226 W. University Ave., invited local baristas to compete in its first latte art competition Monday night.
Sponsored by Zeal Coffee Roasters, the competition had three rounds before the final two competitors faced off. In the first round, competitors had to use latte cups, in the second, cappuccino cups, in the third, cortado cups and in the final round, the competitors were allowed to choose.
People gathered in the crowded coffee shop to watch as competitors poured steamed milk into coffee to create designs. Three judges selected the winner of each round based on texture, color, symmetry and difficulty.
In the end, Alfonso Guerrero, the owner of Know Where Coffee, won first place.
“The goal is for the baristas to practice, and the people get to drink those lattes for free,” Guerrero said.
Over-all, Guerrero was happy to finally host the first latte art event in Gainesville and is looking forward to hosting another competition in the fall. He hopes to hold two per year.
“It’s been an idea that’s been brewing for at least four months, and we agreed our one-year anniversary was the right time to do it,” Guerrero said.
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Caroline Hament, a UF forestry senior, steams milk during her practice before the competition. Hament works at Pascal's Coffeehouse. Cecilia Mazanec // WUFT News
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A steam wand shoots steam into milk to make it thicker before pouring it into the coffee. Cecilia Mazanec // WUFT News
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One contestant displays their finished latte. The judges based their decisions on texture, color, symmetry and difficulty. Cecilia Mazanec // WUFT News
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Alfonso Guerrero, the owner of Know Where Coffee, creates a bracket for the competition after the order of contestants was selected. Cecilia Mazanec // WUFT News
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Jay Solorzano, a UF advertising and marketing sophomore, pours steamed milk into coffee to create a design. Cecilia Mazanec // WUFT News
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The owner of Know Where Coffee, Alfonso Guerrero, pours coffee into cortado cups for the third round. Cecilia Mazanec // WUFT News
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Justin Hall, 31, slowly pours steamed milk into a cup creating ringlets of white against the brown coffee. Cecilia Mazanec // WUFT News
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John Boback, 34, and Violeta Leon, 22, compete for third place in the competition. Cecilia Mazanec // WUFT News
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The judges (from left) Bret Larson, Zane Bezesky and Jason Barnett debate in the final round over the winning latte. Cecilia Mazanec // WUFT News
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The winners (from left) Justin Hall, Alfonso Guerrero and John Boback pose with their prizes. Cecilia Mazanec // WUFT News
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John Boback, 34, steams his milk before adding it to the coffee. Cecilia Mazanec // WUFT News
