Where do you go on a Thursday night if you’re a coffee geek? To Thursday Night Throwdown of course! These are open Latte art competitions designed for fun, friendly competition, and to build community among local coffee pros and home enthusiasts.

You don’t have to know every latte art design, just a desire to learn and perfect. Larz Robison, from Electric Beanz Coffee Bar in Raleigh, NC, didn’t know what to expect when he first started as a Barista, but soon discovered there is more to being a Barista than working.

When did you start drinking coffee?
I started drinking coffee on a regular basis when I started college.
When I was younger I always loved the way it smelled but had a bad
impression that it was a “grown up” drink, like only old people drank it
so I didn’t want any part of it.  In college, it started off as a way to
stay awake all the time, and then I really started to learn about and
appreciate all the different aspects of coffee.

How did  you decide to become a Barista?

I decided to become a barista as a part time job in college.  I didn’t
really know what all to expect but a friend of mine was a barista at a
local shop in Garner, and that is where I started.  It seemed like such a
laid back job and a lot of fun at the same time, so I went for it!

How long have you been doing latte art?

I started doing latte art in November of last year.  For some reason I
never got into it while I’ve been working as a barista until recently.  I
had seen latte art before but it never really crossed my mind that, “hey,
maybe I could do that.”

Do you compete?

The latte art throwdowns (Thursday Night Throwdowns aka TNTs) are really
fun.  They are a place where you have baristas from all over the area come
out to show off their skills and hang out with baristas from other shops.
Most of the throwdowns I attend are in downtown Raleigh at Helios or Busy
Bee Cafe.  Recently we had our first throwdown at Electric Beanz, and that
was a blast.  It is really fun competing against other baristas because
you never know what to expect.  There is always a lot of talented baristas
that come out to the throwdowns and I try to learn as much as possible
from them everytime.

What does it take to learn and perfect Latte art?

After I mastered the heart, I decided to go a
throwdown in Raleigh and got my mind blown by the talent out there.  It
really takes a lot of practice to perfect it, but it all starts perfecting
every aspect of your coffee making.  You have to make sure your espresso
grind is pulling excellent shots, and your milk steaming is down before
you can really start getting into the art.  Then you just have to master
the free pour techniques for the designs and start getting creative!

Have you won any competitions?

Haha, I have not won any competitions so far.  I’m still trying to learn
some designs, and perfect the ones I know.  But I will definitely be
throwing down every month, so you will be able to find me at the next TNT!

Do you have plans to continue your new found interest?

I have really loved working in the coffee business, and I would love to continue it! I’m not sure how exactly one climbs the ladder, but I’m sure I will find out as I expand my interest in coffee and continue making it.

Ask your regional baristas if they participate and find out where the next Throwdown will be held.

Jennifer Vaaler is the no-nonsense blogger of Daily Demitasse. Her fuel is also her passion as a Barista by day and freelance copywriter by night and has been featured in trade Industry Journal, Coffee Talk. She specializes in Consulting and writing copy for the Specialty Coffee Industry. When she’s not wielding a portfilter or pen, Jennifer enjoys a great book, crafts and good movie.