Seattle WA- After 15 competitions, dating back five years to 2002, the Millrock Free Pour Latte Art Championships at Coffee Fest has become an institution; but is not sitting on its laurels.  Now with new sponsorship in place, the competition is poised to unveil some amazing changes beginning with Coffee Fest Seattle, November 9-11, 2007, at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.  

Now the richest competition in the World, first place has been raised from $1,000 to $5,000.  Second place is now $1,000, up from $500, and third place, moves to $500 from $250.  Each of the ten finalists will also receive a certificate of accomplishment for making the finals.  The top three will receive the Certificate, a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal, and, of course, the check.  On top of that, the first place winner will receive a beautiful new Millrock Free Pour Latte Art Championship Trophy.  In addition to all the above, a new “perpetual trophy” will appear at each Coffee Fest Millrock Latte Art Championship, with all previous champion’s names, winning competition city, and year engraved on the base.

But wait!  There’s more…

More Competitors.  In the past, 20 competitors battled for ten spots in the finals with the finals on Sunday morning.  Now with a second barista station in place, you will see 40 competitors vying for the ten finalist spots.  Historically, the top five competitors from Friday and the top five from Saturday advanced to Sunday’s final round.  Now the overall top ten scores will determine the finalists.  At the completion of competition on Friday, the leader board will show the top ten competitors.  As preliminary round number two proceeds on Saturday, some of those Friday finalists may get bumped from the finals.  

The Finals will be Saturday evening at 5:45pm and will be followed immediately (at the same location) with the Coffee Fest Seattle Reception.  The Reception/Latte Art Championship Celebration will feature complimentary appetizers, no host bars and Live Music to inspire dancing into the wee hours.

If that’s not already enough look for Blind Judging.  Imagine a barista competition where competitor’s looks, personality, and relationships do not factor into the judges scoring.  At the new improved Millrock Latte Art Championships, the three judges will not be able to see or hear the competitors.  Only the drink placed in front of the judges is what will be scored.  The score will be based exclusively on the pour.

Immediate Scoring: The final piece of the renovations, and perhaps the most substantial, is immediate scoring.  Similar to “kiss and cry” at Olympic Ice Skating events, contestants and the audience will view scores for each competitor immediately following the competitors pours.  Each contestant, and the audience, will now know before a competitor starts what is needed to take the lead.  Once finished with their pours, the contestant, and the audience, will see immediately how they rank against those who have gone before them.  

Mark your calendar and don’t miss the richest barista competition on the planet.  Millrock Free Pour Latte Art Championships presented by Barista Magazine, Nuova Simonelli and Dillanos Coffee Roasters at Coffee Fest Seattle, November 9-11, 2007.

For more information, contact:
David Heilbrunn at 425.283.5058, ext. 113