This means latte war! Thursday Night Throwdowns take hold in Philly

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This means latte war! Thursday Night Throwdowns take hold in Philly

POSTED: Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 6:00 PM

Filed Under: Coffee | Contests | Food Events

Photo | Anthony Sica

Philadelphias coffee cognoscenti held its monthly Thursday Night Throwdown (TNT), a fast-paced latte art competition, on July 22 at Spruce Street Espresso (1101 Spruce St.), and Meal Ticket was there to take in the event in all of its pulled, pressed and caffeinated glory. This latest Throwdown brought together 28 competitors to try their hands at winning the monthly title and championship medal. Lovers and Madmen, Ultimo Coffee, Milkboy, Bodhi, 1 Shot, Gryphon Café, Café Clon and the host café were among the shops that tasked their top baristas with representing. TNTs started in Atlanta and have quickly spread up the East Coast, bringing together local, regional and national coffee communities. The Throwdown itself is a tournament bracket-style contest where one barista is pitted against another behind the espresso machine they each get 3 minutes to prep their espresso and milk, and one free-hand pour to demonstrate their loftiest interpretation of latte art. The meticulous judging criteria includes:

Balance and symmetry: dividing lines are clean and even Color infusion and definition: the contrast between the whiteness of foam and the darkness of the crema. and the intention of the design is obvious and clear Use of space: the design fills the cup in an appropriate and pleasant way. The design neither crowds the cup, nor leaves it feeling empty or unfinished. there is harmony between the size of the cup and the size of the design. Overall impression: drink is free of spill marks and cup is appropriately full of liquid. General aesthetic appeal and subjective appreciation.

Courtesy of Betty Ortiz

"Mid-Atlantic Barista Mom" Betty Ortiz of Spruce Street was a perfect host for the floating contest, which was sponsored by roasters Counter Culture and presided over by judge Aaron Ultimo of Ultimo Coffee (top pic, light blue shirt); he ultimately decided whose cups moved on from round to round. This time, Jonathon Amos of Bodhi Coffee (410 S. Second St.) won top honors. It's serious stuff the winner walks away with cash and coffee swag in addition to bragging rights. Above all else, though, it serves as an opportunity to hang with some of the most passionate, friendly food/drink people in the city. Augusts Thursday Night Throwdown will be held at Ultimo Coffee at 15th and Mifflin; keep an eye on TNT's site for more info. Check out video of the latest TNT below, via ComplexEspresso:

Tonight: Thursday Night Throwdown at Chestnut Hill Coffee :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-09-23 17:14:52

[...] Chestnut Hill Coffee Company at 8620 Germantown Avenue (previously installments have been held at Spruce Street Espresso and Newbold’s Ultimo Coffee). Competitors will sign up at 7 p.m. ($5 entry fee) and pouring [...]

danya

Posted 2010-07-27 14:13:04

Nice! Jonathan currently makes the best espressos in the city. Self-proclaimed coffee geek (sorry, Todd Carmichael), looking forward to the next TNT.

Tweets that mention This means latte war! Thursday Night Throwdowns take hold in Philly :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-07-27 20:42:17

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Faith Ortiz, John Genzano. John Genzano said: Photo | Anthony Sica http://bit.ly/cg9kQ3 [...]

Lori

Posted 2010-07-27 21:19:53

Such a good time.

Skip

Posted 2010-07-29 12:27:33

This was a fun event. However, I couldn't help but cringe when I saw how shakey the camera work was.

Philly TNT on Meal Ticket! « PHILLY TNT – A MONTHLY LATTE ART THROWDOWN IN THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE

Posted 2010-07-28 20:03:52

[...] TNT on Meal Ticket!  Check out the feature about our monthly barista party on Meal Ticket, the City Paper food and drink blog. The post has [...]

Phil Proteau

Posted 2010-07-28 20:25:04

I've been to TNT's in Washington DC, Raleigh NC, and NYC, and this was the biggest crowd I've seen at one these events!

Latte Art Throwdown @ Spruce St Espresso « Spruce Street Espresso

Posted 2010-07-29 19:59:29

[...] success!!!… also check out the article  Meal Ticket (City Paper)wrote about the event!! http://citypaper.net/blogs/mealticket/2010/07/27/thursday-night-throwdown/        Explore posts in the same categories: [...]

EAT THIS IMMEDIATELY: Caprese sandwich at Ultimo Coffee :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-07-30 10:49:24

[...] the menu,” says owner and coffee swami Aaron Ultimo, who served as judge at the most recent Thursday Night Throwdown barista competition. Pairing tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and basil is nothing new, but layering it on a split Four [...]

Moving and Preparing for the Brewdown | Americano to go Project

Posted 2010-08-02 13:13:48

[...] This is somewhat old news, but the most recent Philadelphia TNT was such a smash hit that it attracted some attention from CityPaper's food blog, Meal Ticket. Check out the coverage here. [...]

Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, July 26-30 :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-08-02 11:38:56

[...] Meal Ticket checks out the most reent Thursday Night Throwdown, a monthly barista competition here i... [...]

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