Week beginning September 23rd - The London Latte Art Smackdown & London Cafe Party

I have been thinking abut this for quite some time, and when I spoke to my staff about it, they were (are), very excited by the idea.

I personally feel very fortunate to remember what you may say was the early beginnings of coffee community in London, primarily driven by Square Mile, from 2006 onwards.

My current staff talk about those days because they heard about them in Poland or Australia or NZ and wished they were here. Like old crusty ravers sitting in a corner reminiscing about the 'good old days', we now talk about them with a fond 'oh, do you remember when?'

Square Mile in particular used to hold espresso tasting nights on a Wednesday at their original roastery, then came the legendary Ultimate Barista Fighter competitions. These events really brought together, influenced, encouraged and inspired a whole load of people to keep furthering their careers in the coffee industry in London and the U.K.

The harsh reality is, those days are over and are but a warm fuzzy memory. These two events are not to recreate those old events, these two events are a simple effort to bring together the coffee community of London as it is now, and to celebrate what we have all achieved so far, for the young coffee people to have a party, and for the old coffee people to sit in the corner and reminisce and do Dad dancing or pull a few latte art moves.

The simple premise is -

London Latte Art Smackdown Knockout:
Four Heats to be held at Kaffeine every Tuesday night in October from 7:30 pm
8 baristas per night can compete
£5 entry per barista, paid in advance at Kaffeine only. 

The barista can choose the night to compete, or we choose for them
Top 2 from each heat will go through to....
The final.
To be held at Square Mile Roastery on Tuesday 29th October
Prizes donated already by SQM, Union and Coffee Hit for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. 

Entry fee also goes to prize pool.
Obviously at Kaffeine we can only fit 30 or so people per night at a push, so please don't bring everyone.

We thought at the same time, we should also have a party. Not connected to the Latte Art, no real reason or concept except to just have a few drinks and a dance as an industry. But because it is close to Christmas, we thought we may as well call it a Christmas Party. So this is what we are doing.

London Cafe Christmas Party
Saturday November 9th
The Social, Little Portland Street, W1
8 pm to 1 am
250 tickets only available in advance at Kaffeine
£5 entry
House in the basement, 80's on the ground floor

It is hard enough running an independent business and not having the support or connections that other, much larger companies do. Hopefully these two events will be the beginning to bring together the independent industry of London and to start to inspire and motivate a whole new generation.

Enquiries can be directed to us via email.

In the meantime, please enjoy the menu for this week, as we have enjoyed bringing it to you.

Traditional bircher muesli with rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.50

Granola muesli with pomegranate molasses and rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.50
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 1.70
Coffee, cherry and walnut toast 2.30
Banana bread 2.40

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissants 1.80
Pain au chocolat 2.40
Almond croissants 2.80

Baked Treats
Sweet Muffins: Blueberries and oats 2.40
Savoury Scone: Smoked salmon, capers and wild chervil cheese 2.40
Blackberry friands 2.40
Super moist chocolate brownies 2.40
White chocolate blondies 2.40
Portuguese tarts 2.00
ANZAC cookies 1.80
Chocolate chip cookies 1.80

French retro baguettes 4.90
Mature cheddar, pickled vegetables, ham, rocket
Tomato, mozarella, basil, aioli and spinach

Foccacias 5.00

Speck, tomato, avocado, pickled radish mayonnaise and spinach

Roasted squash and red onions with herb ricotta and rocket

Salads: 5.50/6.50
Baby lobster, sea buckthorn berries, hedgebed, creamed pea dressing

Roasted piccolo parsnips and chantenay carrots with saute cavalo nero and wet walnuts

Brussels sprouts with rosemary, hazelnuts, russet apples and cooked in apple cider

Tart: 4.40 or 7.50 with salad
Four cheese quiche with roasted cherry tomatoes