La Marzocco 'Out of the Box' 2014, Part Two
La Marzocco ‘Out of the Box’ 2014, Part Two
In the midst of all the panel discussions and pastry-eating, another big coffee event was unfolding at Out of the Box – the UK Latte Art Championships. Across the room a pair of Linea PBs shone expectantly, awaiting the efforts of nineteen pitcher-toting competitors, while a big screen projected prize-winning pours around the room. The competition was won by Dan Tamang of Caracoli, with Kunha Hwang (of Poilâne) and Luke Evans (of Roasted) coming in second and third place, respectively. Tamang will go on to represent the UK in the World Latte Art Championships in Gothenburg in June.
Over at the Modbar – which made for a fascinating sight in the flesh – I got to catch up with Brian Williams of Brian’s Coffee Spot, who I last encountered at the London Coffee Festival in April. It was great to hear what he’s been up to and where he’s been of late, and of course I picked his brain for some recommendations. I picked a particularly good time to hang about by the Modbar, as David Robson (formerly of Association Coffee, now with the Soho House Group, and Scottish Aeropress Champion 2014 to boot) just happened to be manning it. He presented me with one of the best flat whites I’ve had in a while and, within moments, he too had a queue on his hands.
After a detour to Fitzrovia for coffee and a catch-up with a friend and former colleague named Naomi – who is now commis pastry chef at Hakkasan Hanway Place – I returned to Out of the Box as the space was segueing from day into night mode. Outside, a burger van kept baristas’ hunger at bay, while kegs full of mulled wine and cider helped to combat the chill. Inside, a band was playing reinterpreted Christmas classics, people were dancing, and the free cocktails were clearly going down a storm. (And, judging by the state of one or two attendees the next day, said cocktails were evidently quite potent…)
This piece was originally published on blackcoffeeandotherstories.wordpress.com in December 2014.