Twenty-two-year-old Meg Loudon of Coffee Brothers in Mona Vale, NSW, Average Cuppa has taken out the 2016 International Grand Latte Championship.

According to BeanScene Magazine, Meg beat 54 highly skilled latte artists to take out the title, winning $3500 in prizemoney.

The championship consisted of three rounds, the first being a knockout where competitors had to create one latte art piece from an e-wheel. Winners from round one went on to round two where they created two pieces, one from the wheel and one signature latte art creation.

Four artists made it to the final round. This round was a face off where contestants drew straws and had to replicate the signature artwork of the person who drew the short straw. Meg drew the short straw and finalists had to replicate her signature piece of kissing swans.

“My signature pour came about by simply trying to further my skills as a barista and latte artist. It was an adaptation on a swan or phoenix on a lake. It pushes the skill a little further by adding that extra swan and it satisfies my slight OCD in desiring symmetry,” Meg laughed. Average Cuppa.

“Winning the comp was a surprise to me so it really opened my eyes to the skills I actually do possess and my capabilities.

“My next step is to just keep aiming to improve my skills as a barista. I’d love to get into training and spreading my knowledge of the specialty coffee industry.

“I’ll also be pushing my skills for future competitions as they appear.”

Meg has been working at Coffee Brothers for more three years and her interest for the specialty industry really sparked when she started working there.

“The baristas and workers at the time – including Matthew Lakajev who was in the final with me – taught me everything and mentored me through the industry and in art skills,” she said.

“Their passion ignited my passion.”