The event and the competitions were organized by the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe / Finnish Chapter sponsored by Vendor as the importer of Nuova Simonelli and MAHLKÖNIG, Valio, Dansukker, Paulig and Speciality Coffee Association of Finland (SEKO ry).

The Latte Art Championship was really something special this year in Finland:
Four latest Finnish Barista Champions are working at Café Art in Turku, Finland. Before Mikko last year’s victory Jon Niemimaa, a member of Café Art’s staff, won the championship on 2007. This was after Mikko’s brother Juhani won the championship in 2006. The fi rst Finnish Latte Art Championship was held in 2008, and the winner was… Mikko Haahti! This year they also had Jenna Kaunisto to compete for Café Art, and she took the third place in Finnish Barista Championship, and the second place in Finnish Latte Art Championship.

 

“I was hungry for more after the experiences last year brought me. I wanted to win the national championships and get the opportunity to improve my rating in the international championships,” says Mikko Haahti. His performance in both competitions was technically very good and the presentation was smooth. Also sensory judges gave him credit for well balanced cups.
 
Mikko chose his espresso among the selection of his brother Juhani’s coffee roastery “Turun Kahvipaahtimo”. As a signature drink he prepared a cold drink with espresso, raspberry, pomegranate and crushed ice. In Latte Art competition he presented beautiful rosettes.
 
Mikko will present Finland at World Barista Championship from 16th – 19th April in Atlanta as well as in World Latte Art Championship during 26th – 28th June in Cologne.