Nicky Voon remains the only female National Latte Art Champion in Malaysia, and continues the six-year winning streak for 103 Coffee since The Z List alumnus Irvine Quek’s maiden victory in 2018.
There are two kinds of coffee lovers — one who would appreciate coffee by smell and taste, and another that enjoys seeing the beautiful art on a cup of latte. A simple heart or smiley face would make someone’s day. And that’s the power of coffee beyond its caffeinated kick in the morning.
For the folks at 103 Coffee, latte art is serious business. This year, at the recently concluded National Latte Art Championship, 103 Coffee remains the undefeated victor for the sixth consecutive year when its barista Nicky Voon bagged the crown. The National Latte Art Championship that started in 2016 has been a great platform for many new and young talents in the coffee industry to gain exposure, make connections and level up.
Nicky’s winning latte art creations — ‘Face of the Mountain Goat’, ‘Rooster’, and ‘Elephant’ — have certainly impressed the judges with their precision, creativity and artistry. She adds: “Skills nowadays are so insane — any barista can pour super complex and good latte arts. But to be ahead of everyone else, your pours need to be perfect with almost zero mistakes with creativity to create new and novel patterns.”
103 Coffee first made its name felt when The Z List 2021 alumnus Irvine Quek won the national title in 2018. He proceeded to clinch the World Latte Art Champion title when he represented the country that same year in Brazil. Since then, 103 Coffee ensures a lineage of national champions. On top of that, the Malaysian representatives excelled on the world stage with stellar performances — 8th place in Berlin (2019); 4th place in Milan (2020) and 4th place in Taiwan (2022).
Reigning national champion Nicky represented Malaysia for the 2020 and 2022 editions, finishing impressive fourth finishes on both attempts. And her eyes are now set on bettering her placing at the World Latte Art Championship in Jakarta next year.
Eight years of competing and six national champions later, 103 Coffee maintains its stand to inspire and nurture baristas in Malaysia.
The 2018 World Champion, Irvine adds: “Just give it a try — that’s what brought me to where I am now with just a simple thought of ‘why not?’. To me, baristas are like musicians. We craft experiences and bring joy to peoples’ lives with coffee. It’s fun and fulfilling.
A true mentor at heart, Irvine harbours aspirations to mentor passionate baristas to one day be a world champion like he did. “It’s amazing and life-changing, to say the least. I will give my best to lead and help them stand out on the world stage and hopefully bring back the world champion title to Malaysia again.”
(All images from 103 Coffee)
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Written by
Martin Teo
Editor-in-Chief
Martin has a soft spot for art and architecture, fashion and food history. When embracing his spirit-ual side, he finds himself switching between a Negroni and an Old Fashioned, especially after a long week. His day is never complete without time at the gym and three cups of coffee — flat white with oat milk, no less.
