Black&White4 Competizione

The name Competizione symbolizes the interplay of precision, creativity and technical perfection. These factors are crucial to excel at the Latte Art Championships. Above all, this requires a perfected coffee machine. With the new Black&White4 Competizione, Thermoplan has brought together the best of the barista and fully automatic coffee machine worlds.

At the beginning of the year, we received the good news from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) that our Black&White4 CTS had been chosen as the championship machine for the World Latte Art Championships! A lot has happened since then and we have optimized our chosen fully automatic machine to meet the needs of baristas. The first Latte Art World Championships with our Black&White4 Competizione are already scheduled for the end of this month. From June 27 to 29, 2024, the best of the best in the world will compete in Copenhagen. It is the first time that such a world championship will be held with a fully automatic machine.

But how does a latte art world championship like this work?
At this year's championship in Copenhagen, over 30 latte art champions from all over the world will compete against each other. Each championship consists of three rounds.

In the preliminary round, each participant prepares four drinks: a set of two free-pour lattes (you pour the milk however you like) and two designer lattes, where free drawing with an object (e.g. a needle) is allowed. The art motif is freely selectable during all three rounds. The more complex, the higher the probability of making it to the next round. The jury pays particular attention to ensuring that the two motifs are as identical as possible and as detailed as possible. The best twelve participants go through to the semi-final.

The semi-final is divided into two tasks: Art Bar and Stage Presentation. In the Art Bar (not on the usual stage), a design latte is prepared where you can give free rein to your creativity and create something with food coloring, for example. A total of six drinks have to be presented at the Stage Presentation: two free-pour lattes and two free-pour macchiatos. The latter are particularly challenging, as they are poured into small espresso cups and the space for the latte art is correspondingly limited. The best six latte artists go through to the final.

The final is similar to the preliminary round, with the participants again having to prepare a set of two free-pour lattes and a set of two designer lattes. Finally, one person from the final six will be named World Latte Art Champion.

The champion then bears the title "World Latte Art Champion" for one year and can look forward to prizes from the sponsors. There is also the possibility of being appointed as an ambassador for certain companies.

We're delighted that our Black&White4 Competizione will be starting soon and are excited to see who will win the race in Copenhagen! During the World Championship, we'll be taking you along on the Thermoplan Instagram channel in the stories - so follow, watch and don't miss a thing!