Piyapat Lapteerawut, also referred to as Flook, received his third U.S. Latte Artwork Championship by drawing on his earlier expertise.
BY CHRIS RYAN
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Photographs courtesy of Piyapat “Flook“ Lapteerawut
Although the World Latte Artwork Championship (WLAC) has taken place since 2005, the US didn’t participate till only a few years in the past—2022, to be actual. That yr, Piyapat Lapteerawut, a veteran latte artist who goes by the nickname Flook, received the competitors. The subsequent yr, he received once more. In 2024, nonetheless, Flook completed second, ending his streak and leaving him questioning about his future within the competitors.
Earlier this yr, although, Flook returned to the stage of the U.S. Latte Artwork Championship, which passed off Feb. 20-23 in Durham, N.C., and achieved his aim as soon as once more, besting the sector to earn the title of 2025 U.S. Latte Artwork Champion. Flook, who works as a latte artwork teacher at roaster-retailer Espresso Venture NY, will now advance to the 2025 World Latte Artwork Championship in Geneva, Switzerland, this summer season.
We talked to Flook about studying from the previous, tackling the world competitors once more, and rather more.
Chris Ryan: What was your mindset coming into the competitors this yr? How did you put together for this yr after your previous experiences?
Flook: As , I received two years in a row, then I attempted to strike for a hat trick final yr, however I couldn’t, haha. Final yr I made a number of errors, however I’d say crucial one can be that I didn’t follow laborious sufficient. 2024 was an costly lesson to me, and probably the most painful one was once I went to observe the World Latte Artwork Championship in Denmark. The photographer remembered me from Taiwan, and he stated, “Why are you sitting there, not right here (on stage)?” After I heard that, I instructed myself, “I’ll win subsequent yr and return on the world stage in order that man goes to take my photograph once more!” So, the second I was again in New York, I used to be practising like loopy: 200 routines in a month—three to 4 hours a day, six days a week.
I noticed that this yr you selected to do designs you’ve finished earlier than that you just thought would rating effectively. Are you able to speak about that call, and the way it performed out?
Mainly, I can reply this query in solely one sentence: “You be taught from the previous.” As I say, don’t get caught prior to now, however take that as a lesson and determine your future. Final yr, once I acquired second place, I talked to Wenbo (Joe) Yang asking how he received. (Don’t be shocked—the latte artwork group is tremendous good. We’re at all times sharing data so we can all get higher—we are all associates right here, not enemies.)
Mainly what occurred is Joe knew the right way to rating very effectively, once I principally simply targeted on pouring and design. That’s why this yr, I picked all of the designs that scored the very best in my previous competitions, including some new strategies (since I already poured all these designs earlier than, I solely wanted to follow for consistency), then focusing on total efficiency. I’d truthfully say this yr may not be probably the most spectacular designs or one thing that wows the viewers, however my total efficiency (pouring, presenting, idea, technical) may very well be my finest one.
How did it really feel so that you can win once more?
Actually, (it felt like) nothing, haha. I’ve (misplaced) so many occasions already—for me it’s extra like how can I take the “L.” And once more, “L” doesn’t imply “lose,” it means “be taught!” On the finish of (the) day, shedding and profitable is the nature of the competitors. So the true query is, “Did you strive your finest?”
How are you feeling about WLAC in Geneva this summer season?
To begin with, Geneva is costly! And Geneva in July, that’s not simply costly—that’s extraordinarily costly! (Control Flook’s Instagram, the place he will probably be launching a crowdfunding marketing campaign subsequent month to assist cowl his Geneva journey.) Anyway, I’m tremendous excited to go to Switzerland. That is really my second time on the earth competitors—the U.S. didn’t ship the rep in 2022.
I would possibly or may not change the method. You would possibly already know that now at WLAC, they’re utilizing a super-automatic machine (Thermoplan Black&White4 CTS), Oatly plant-based milk within the first spherical, and new cups from Membership Home. These are what folks have been battling within the final yr, and for me, these elements are tougher than the design and pouring.
I nonetheless haven’t practiced but—I’m ready for the sponsor, who will let me borrow the super-auto machine and provide milk assist.
Is competitors and latte artwork nonetheless your focus nowadays?
Latte artwork is at all times my focus, since I’ve already talked about that I achieve lots from the group, so I wish to give again to the group. This yr, I’m doing a very large challenge: I’m going to journey throughout (the) nation to show latte artwork.
I acquired this concept since some folks reached out about lessons they usually acquired impressed by my story. They needed to be taught extra about latte artwork, however sadly, they couldn’t come to New York. That’s why I got here up with this concept, and I believed it could be tremendous cool to go on a tour instructing latte artwork (like all these celebrities, regardless that I’m not that well-known). I have already got greater than 10 cities on the listing, and hopefully I can (go to) all of them. I’m giving my subsequent Latte Artwork Grasp Class in Maryland on April 15, and I can’t wait.
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