Walcha is set to put itself firmly on the coffee map this month, with the town preparing to host the first-ever Regional Latte Art Smackdown on Tuesday, 24 September, from 2.30 pm.
Usually the domain of capital cities, the high-energy competition is coming to the New England thanks to Walcha Coffee and the support of local businesses and national sponsors. The event will bring together baristas from across the region and beyond, with competitors from as far as Sydney and Brisbane already throwing their hats in the ring to compete head-to-head to craft the most impressive latte art in front of a live audience.
Owner of Walcha Coffee, Cameron Hayton, said the idea came to him after a conversation with Caleb Holstein from Alternative Dairy at a Golden Bean event.
“We got to chatting and I asked what he thought the chances of holding an event like this in a regional community would be, and they said that they actually had the budget to organise something rural and we got planning from there,” said Mr Hayton.
In what has been an absolute whirlwind few months, Mr Hayton has managed to pull together an absolutely stellar lineup for the day, not only in the competition itself, but also in its adjacent presentations and workshops.
“Latte Art competitions have been a thing in the cities for quite a while now. They’re a lot of fun, but people don’t actually realise how hard it is. When you make a good coffee and have a well-textured milk, with the right skill, you can freehand all these amazing designs, and it is absolutely fascinating to watch,” said Mr Hayton.
The smackdown is more than just a competition – it’s a celebration of coffee culture and community spirit. A prize pool of over $1,000 will be up for grabs, including awards for best overall, runner-up, best local entrant, and a dedicated junior category for budding baristas aged 15 and under.
The Junior Latte Art Competition is a unique addition, designed to inspire young people to see coffee-making as more than just casual work. With a $200 prize and low entry fee, the category hopes to spark interest in hospitality and encourage the next generation of baristas.
“The Junior Competition is really about encouraging youth to have a crack and to see that working in the coffee industry can be so much more than just a filler job – there are lots of very rewarding careers in coffee,” said Mr Hayton.
“My 8-year-old and 13-year-old are definitely going to have a crack – they’re not experts, but they’re keen to have a go!”
Alongside the competition, coffee lovers will have the chance to participate in a cupping session with international guest Daniel Vergnano from List + Beisler, attend a sensory class with Sharon Jan and Paul Asquith, sample smoked meat dinners on-site (bookings required), and enjoy Walcha’s signature warm hospitality. Local accommodation providers are also offering discounted rates for visitors making the trip.
On Wednesday, there will also be a coffee skills training day, allowing those keen to enter the industry an opportunity to learn vital skills like customer interaction and workflow management. The curriculum is still being finalised, but Mr Hayton encourages anyone interested to get in touch.
“I also see this as a real opportunity to showcase the region – Walcha has had a tough 12 months, particularly with the severe weather we’ve experienced, so first and foremost, this is an event that is downright fun and brings people together, but also it has a practical side that puts people in motels and eateries,” said Mr Hayton.
When asked what hosting an event such as this means to him personally, Mr Hayton said, “On a surface level, it’s definitely an opportunity to show what the region, and us as a regional producer, are capable of.
“But I’m also really inspired by the Golden Bean’s work – there used to be a lot of infighting in the industry, but the events they hold have made people see that there’s a lot of beauty in collaboration.”
“I’d like to see the same happen in our region – for example, the second The Alternative Root in Uralla saw our event, they were on the phone to us asking how they could help.”
“I personally don’t see other roasters and coffee businesses in the region as competitors; I see them as allies, and I’d love for us to all work together more to raise the industry up and make something beautiful for our region.”
The event has been made possible thanks to the backing of key sponsors, including Alternative Dairy Co., Pentair, ECM Coffee Machines, List + Beisler, Known Designs, and Uralla’s The Alternative Root.
Competitor entries and tickets are now available through Eventbrite.
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