Thursday 24 October 2013

Week beginning October 28 - London Latte Art Final and London Cafe Party

That's it now, four heats complete. The top 8 are decided to go into the final at Square Mile Coffee and with the chance to win some amazing prizes as well as the potential for fame and glory.

We had another 40 people crammed into Kaffeine to watch what was happening and the pressure was on with our own lead barista Blazej and one of our senior baristas Grace were up against four staff from Team Prufrock, with individual entries by Benjemyn from Terrone and Nerius from Artigiano.

We were very lucky to have one of the leading people of the coffee scene, Jess McDonald as one of the judges, alongside Glenn Watson and returning this week, the wonderful Lena from Union.

Ryoto from Prufrock was up first against Grace from Kaffeine, with Ryoto going through to the quarters, then Jeremy Challender from P-Rock against Benjymyn, with Jeremy winning through, Kaori from P-Rock then up against Blazej 'Blaze' Stempin and again the Prufrock team got through and finally we had Gareth repping Prufrock against Nerius and he made it four Prufrock staff members into the quarters.

You could perhaps say that the crew from the number one cafe in London were not very tactical about the competition as it was now four of them competing for the last two places, but maybe they are being tactical after all and we just don't know it yet.

Jeremy against Ryoto and Gareth against Kaori, with Jeremy and Kaori being judged as the winners of heat four.

So the top 8?
Krysty, Timothy, Catherine and Thomas from Curators
Elyse from Talkhouse
James Bailey from Workshop
Jeremy and Kaori from Prufrock

Next week it starts at 7:30 pm at SQM roastery. Be there to support your favourites, cheer and/jeer as the milk is spilled, the hands shake and the pressure mounts.

Here is the link to the photos that Glenn Watson has been taking so far.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/getnoticed/sets/

A huge, huge thank you to the sponsors of the prizes - Coffee Hit, Square Mile and Union Hand Roasted, a massive thank you to the judges Andrew Tolley from Taylor Street, Lena and Arianna from Union, James and Jess from SQM and for being here every week and taking amazing photos, Glenn Watson.

Another big thank you to all those who came to Kaffeine over the past four weeks and supported not only the baristas, but also the scene in London. We hope to see you at the final and also at the party.


Christmas Party Details.

We have sold 96 of the 250 tickets available already. Seriously, get in fast if you wish to come.
Tickets are now on sale at Kaffeine. All London cafe staff welcome.
November 9th at The Social, Little Portland Street, W1. 7 pm to 1 am.
Also available at the final at Square Mile, you can pay in person or over the phone by credit card and we will keep them here for you to pick up.
£5 per ticket, 250 tickets only, no door sales/pick ups on the night.

Prizes, glory, drinking and dancing. What more could you wish for?

Please enjoy this weeks menu, as we have enjoyed putting it together for you.

Traditional bircher muesli with rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Granola muesli with pomegranate molasses and rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Fruit salad (pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes, passion fruit) 3.70
Ciabatta roll with omelette, pancetta, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Ciabatta roll with courgette omelette, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach & plum tomatoes 4.90
Seven seed bakery bloomer toast with home made preserves 1.90
Coffee, cherry and walnut toast 2.40
Banana bread 2.40
Porridge with choices of muscovado sugar, dried fruit, chopped nuts, honey, golden syrup or compote 3.00

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissants 1.90
Pain au chocolat 2.50
Almond croissants 2.80

Baked Treats
Sweet Muffins: Ginger and Pear 2.40
Savoury Scone: Pumpkin and cheddar 2.40
Lemon and rose friands 2.40
Super moist chocolate brownies 2.40
White chocolate blondies 2.40
Portuguese tarts 2.00
ANZAC cookies 2.00
Iced Vo Vo's 2.00

Lunch:
Soup: Chicken and wild rice 4.50

French retro baguettes 5.00
Ham, gherkin, dijon, gruyere, rocket, red onion
Tuna, rouille, capers, spinach

Foccacias 5.30
Bresaola, baked plums, spiced hazelnut puree, brie, spinachRoasted aubergine, goats cheese, Thai basil, rocket, sweet chilli

Salads: 5.50/6.90
Roast beef and beetroot, hazelnuts, coffee mascarpone, watercress
Fresh kohlrabi, fennel, carrot, pickled pumpkin, mixed seeds, goats curdRunner beans and rape greens with cashew dressing

Tart: 4.40 or 7.90 with salad
Leek, mustard and gruyere

Friday 18 October 2013

Week beginning October 21st - London Latte Art Smackdown and Christmas Party

Three heats down now in the London Latte Art Smackdown and last week we had another 40 people crammed into Kaffeine to cheer and jeer the baristas. This week we had the owner of Square Mile coffee and 2007 World Barista Champion James Hoffman judging, joined by Glenn Watson and Arianna from Union Coffee.

It was the most intense week so far, with a dark horse from a farm shop outside Bath travelling down for the event, young Matt, who beat Kit from Dose in the first round, but then got knocked out by Elyse from Talkhouse in the second. Elyse was one of the two who made it through to the final.

Shaun Young, who placed 7th in the UK Champs this year and is formerly of Kaffeine was up against James Bailey from Workshop in the first round. Unfortunately, even though Shaun has made many thousands of coffees on our Synesso machine, he did not progress to round 2.

Another Talkhouse barista, Miguel, took on Barry from Dose in the first round, but he was knocked out and Barry took on James to get into the final. The judges had their hardest decision of the contest so far and finally allowed Mr Bailey to get through to represent Workshop on the 29th.

We also had a latte art free pour demonstration by the UK latte art champ, Dhan Damang, who will be judging at the final, as well as a special, secret visitor for the event, Mr Ben Kaminsky.

Here is the link to the photos that Glenn Watson has been taking so far.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/getnoticed/sets/72157636600086883/

This weeks competitors.
Ken, Jeremy, Andrew and Gareth from Prufrock
Grace and Blazej 'Blaze' Stempin from Kaffeine
Benjymin from Terrone
Westhus from Artigiano

If you want to come among and support or just watch, you are more than welcome. All the heats are now full, but if you turn up on the night and wish to compete and there are drop outs, we will get you in. We have free food and cheap beer.

Judges this week include John Gordon from Square Mile Coffee, Glenn Watson and Lena from Union. 


Christmas Party Details.

We have sold 86 of the 250 tickets available already. Seriously, get in fast if you wish to come.
Tickets are now on sale at Kaffeine. All London cafe staff welcome.
November 9th at The Social, Little Portland Street, W1. 7 pm to 1 am.
Also available at the latte art heats and the final at Square Mile, you can pay in person or over the phone by credit card and we will keep them here for you to pick up.
£5 per ticket, 250 tickets only, no door sales/pick ups on the night.

Prizes, glory, drinking and dancing. What more could you wish for?

Please enjoy this weeks menu, as we have enjoyed putting it together for you.

Traditional bircher muesli with rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Granola muesli with pomegranate molasses and rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Fruit salad (pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes, passion fruit) 3.70
Ciabatta roll with omelette, pancetta, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Ciabatta roll with courgette omelette, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach & plum tomatoes 4.90
Seven seed bakery bloomer toast with home made preserves 1.90
Coffee, cherry and walnut toast 2.40
Banana bread 2.40
Porridge with choices of muscovado sugar, dried fruit, chopped nuts, honey, golden syrup or compote 3.00

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissants 1.90
Pain au chocolat 2.50
Almond croissants 2.80

Baked Treats
Sweet Muffins: Whitebeam berries and almond 2.40
Savoury Scone: Sweet chilli and cream cheese 2.40
Lemon and rose friands 2.40
Super moist chocolate brownies 2.40
White chocolate blondies 2.40
Portuguese tarts 2.00
ANZAC cookies 2.00
Iced Vo Vo's 2.00

Lunch:
Soup: Tomato stew with rape greens and white beans 4.50

French retro baguettes 5.00
Szechuan chicken with roast pumpkin, pickled red cabbage and horseradish mayonnaise
Cooked apples and red onion, mature cheddar, Dijon mayonnaise, spinach

Foccacias 5.30
Ham, sauté mushrooms, cheese fondue, spinach
Tomato, mozarella, spicy red pepper dressing, rocket

Salads: 5.50/6.90
Ginger and cinnamon braised pork with puréed cherimoya, green lentils and garlic dressing
Poached quince with red chicory, blue vain cheese, walnuts and pennywort
Sweet potato with curried dressing and coriander

Tart: 4.40 or 7.90 with salad
Cauliflower with sea blite seeds

Saturday 12 October 2013

Week beginning October 14th - Update London Latte Art Smackdown and Christmas Party

Two heats down now in the London Latte Art Smackdown ad this week we had about 40 people crammed into Kaffeine to watch the second heat. It was a brilliant night, short, sharp and to the point. With three of the most qualified judges in industry in Andrew Tolley, Lena from Union and Glenn formerlty of SCAE, it was a hard fought and very tight contest.

Once again though, it was two of the baristas from Curators who have made it into the final, Catherine (formerly of Kaffeine) and Thomas. Congratulations to both.

Next weeks competitors.
Benjamin from Terrone
Elyse and Miguel from Talkhouse
Kit and Barry from Dose
Shaun from Beanstalk (formerly of Kaffeine and 7th in the UK championships)
Matt all the way from Bath but we are not sure which cafe!

If you want to come among and support or just watch, you are more than welcome. All the heats are now full, but if you turn up on the night and wish to compete and there are drop outs, we will get you in. We have free food and cheap beer.

Judges this week include James Hoffman from Square Mile Coffee, Glenn Watson and Arianna from Union. 


Christmas Party Details.

We have sold 50 of the 250 tickets available already. Seriously, get in fast if you wish to come.
Tickets are now on sale at Kaffeine. All London cafe staff welcome.
November 9th at The Social, Little Portland Street, W1. 7 pm to 1 am.
Also available at the latte art heats and the final at Square Mile, you can pay in person or over the phone by credit card and we will keep them here for you to pick up.
£5 per ticket, 250 tickets only, no door sales/pick ups on the night.

Prizes, glory, drinking and dancing. What more could you wish for?

Please enjoy this weeks menu, as we have enjoyed putting it together for you.

Traditional bircher muesli with rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Granola muesli with pomegranate molasses and rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Fruit salad (pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes, passion fruit) 3.70
Ciabatta roll with omelette, pancetta, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Ciabatta roll with courgette omelette, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach & plum tomatoes 4.90
Seven seed bakery bloomer toast with home made preserves 1.90
Coffee, cherry and walnut toast 2.40
Banana bread 2.40
Porridge with choices of muscovado sugar, dried fruit, chopped nuts, honey, golden syrup or compote 3.00

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissants 1.90
Pain au chocolat 2.50
Almond croissants 2.80

Baked Treats
Sweet Muffins: Apple, caraway and juniper 2.40
Savoury Scone: Broccoli and gorgonzola 2.40
Lemon and rose friands 2.40
Super moist chocolate brownies 2.40
White chocolate blondies 2.40
Portuguese tarts 2.00
ANZAC cookies 2.00
Iced Vo Vo's 2.00

Lunch:
Soup: Spiced sweet potato 4.50
French retro baguettes 5.00
Smoked salmon, lime cream cheese, cucumber, rocket, thai basil.
Roasted red peppers, courgette, red onion, spinach and pesto

Foccacias 5.30
Ham, roasted chestnuts, mature cheddar, dijon mustard and rocket
Saute mushrooms, red onion jam, camembert, spinach

Salads: 5.50/6.90
Chicken adobo with camargue red rice and coriander
Saute rainbow chard with cumin roasted potatoes and pancetta
Purple sprouting broccoli with fromaggio sauce

Tart: 4.40 or 7.90 with salad
Semi dried mixed tomatoes with oregano pasto

Friday 4 October 2013

Week beginning October 7th - London Latte Art and Christmas Party Update

Just a quick update on where we are with the Latte Art competition, as well as news on the London Christmas Party.

The first heat was Tuesday just gone and two of the baristas from Curators have made it into the final, Krysty and Timothy. Congratulations to both.

Next Tuesday's competitors.
Catherine and Thomas from Curators
Greg from Rapha
Paul and Greg from Alchemy
David Robson from Association
Paul formerly from Cup in Dublin and now at Coffee Works and
Kaffeine's own Karol.

If you want to come among and support or just watch, you are more than welcome. All the heats are now full, but if you turn up on the night and wish to compete and there are drop outs, we will get you in. We have free savoury scrolls and cheap beer.

Judges this week include Andrew Tolley from Taylor Street, Glenn Watson and Arianna from Union. 

Further news is that the current UK Latte Art champion, Dhan Tamang will be one of the judges at the final at SQM and that the original compere from the 2008 smackdowns, Ross Brown from Browns of Brockley will be hosting on the evening. Amazing. 

Christmas Party Details.
Tickets are now on sale at Kaffeine. All London cafe staff welcome.
November 9th at the Social, Little Portland Street, 7 pm to 1 am.
We will also have them at the heats and the final at Square Mile, you can pay in person or over the phone by credit card and we will keep them here for you to pick up.
£5 per ticket, 250 tickets only, no door sales/pick ups on the night.

Prizes, glory, drinking and dancing. What more could you wish for?

Please enjoy this weeks menu, as we have enjoyed putting it together for you.

Traditional bircher muesli with rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Granola muesli with pomegranate molasses and rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.60
Fruit salad (pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes, passion fruit) 3.70
Ciabatta roll with omelette, pancetta, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Ciabatta roll with courgette omelette, rocket and tomato salsa 4.90
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach & plum tomatoes 4.90
Seven seed bakery bloomer toast with home made preserves 1.90
Coffee, cherry and walnut toast 2.40
Banana bread 2.40

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissants 1.90
Pain au chocolat 2.50
Almond croissants 2.80

Baked Treats
Sweet Muffins: Pear and banana 2.40
Savoury Scone: Sweet corn, red onion and cheese 2.40
Lemon and rose friands 2.40
Super moist chocolate brownies 2.40
White chocolate blondies 2.40
Portuguese tarts 2.00
ANZAC cookies 2.00
Iced Vo Vo's 2.00

French retro baguettes 5.00
Ham, apple butter, gherkin, mature cheddar, spinach
Tomato, mozzarella, chimichurri, rocket

Foccacias 5.30
Chorizo meat loaf with rocket, tomato and gruyere
Baked pears with gorgonzola, red onion jam and spinach

Salads: 5.50/6.90
Mole cooked lamb with yellow gari, black beans, black rice and lime sour cream
Mixed heritage tomatoes, shredded fennel, olives, capers with a lemon and oregano dressing
Sweet potato roasted in parmesan, garlic, rosemary and chilli

Tart: 4.40 or 7.90 with salad
Brown fig, goats curd, basil and rowan berry jelly