Slow Pour Supply teams with Rancilio to host Let’s Pour, a workshop-competition series launching at this weekend’s Nashville Qualifier that will generate interest for a 2021 U.S. LAC.
BY KATRINA YENTCH
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Photos courtesy of Gerardo Velasquez for Slow Pour Supply
This year, Slow Pour Supply, Rancilio, and the U.S. Coffee Championships are aiming to bring back the U.S. Latte Art Championship by hosting a workshop-competition series called Let’s Pour, which will gauge interest for a 2021 championship. Let’s Pour takes place over the course of three major coffee events this year— the USCC Qualifier in Nashville, Tenn., the USCC Qualifiers in Orange County, Calif., in February, and at SCA/USCC Championships in Portland, Ore., in April.
During this time, Rancilio and Slow Pour Supply will have an “exploration booth” set up at each event featuring pouring competitions, along with workshops on latte art taught by former champions. To prepare for a potential world latte art competition, the challenges consist of pouring designs as close to those used in the World Latte Art Championship. Winners will walk away with high-stakes prizes like a home espresso machine from Rancilio and goodie bags from Slow Pour Supply.
“The goal of the activation is to generate interest and encourage baristas to come compete in the following year, by hosting workshops and providing them with information about the competition.” says Anita Tam, owner of Slow Pour Supply, who also serves as the lead technical judge for the U.S. Barista Championship.
“If we can get enough competitors to commit to competing in 2021, then we will have the support we need to host the U.S. Latte Art Championship in the following year,” adds Rancilio marketing manager Andrew Bettis.
The first exploration booth kicks off in Nashville, Tenn. this Friday, January 10, with a workshop at Humphreys Street Coffee, in addition to a booth at the Qualifier. Co-sponsored by us at Barista Magazine, the workshop will be led by Hong Kong Latte Art Head Judge/WLAC Finalist/Coffee Fest Latte Art Champion Ivy Lky. You can sign up here, where limited spots are available.
This is the full list of booth activations during the season:
January 11-12 at Track One in Nashville, Tenn., Booth 19 & 20
February 21-23 at OC Fair and Event Center, Costa Mesa Building in Orange County, Calif., Booth 22 & 23
April 24-26 at Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Ore., in the competition area
