Blendin Coffee Club Throwdown with the Champion

Article by Marlen Mendoza @Cafesitahtx

As part of the coffee community repertoire, throwdowns are seen as quality time spent outside work for coffee professionals to meet up with old friends and make new ones. At Houston’s last throwdown, Blendin Coffee Club had the opportunity to invite and showcase their new shop.

As the community gathered on a tuesday night, baristas signed up left and right to compete amongst one another at a shot at one of three prizes including the grand prize of $500. With Arnon Thitiprasert, renowned World Latte Art Champion as one of the judges, the stakes were high and the critique was anything short of easy.

The competition had begun and while still competitive, the friendly reminder that you are competing against your coffee family made the overall event that much more intimate and fun. As the night rolled out, more lattes were poured and soon the top 4 competitors were left.

Antoine from Blacksmith, Mark from Southside Espresso, Ben from Boomtown, and Megan from A 2nd cup were up to compete. As a challenge, following the design and style to mimic by Arnon, the soon four became a final two with Antoine at third and Ben and Mark left to go against.

With a pour of their choice the two friends went against each in their comfortable pouring ritual. In the end Ben won and was chosen as grand prize winner and Mark as runner up.

The night ended at Blendin Coffee Club with new memories and new friendships. All connected by the love and passion behind coffee.