Nanjing Hosts 2014 Latte Art Charity Event

In the heart of Nanjing’s bustling commercial district, dozens of skilled baristas gathered not for competition alone—but to share their craft. On October 12, 2014, the city’s high-traffic G-Mall saw an unusual scene: a crowd of curious onlookers circling barista stations, watching intricate latte art designs emerge from steamed milk and espresso, many for the very first time.

The event brought together four national-level latte art champions and coaches, giving the public hands-on experience with expert guidance—and letting attendees pour their very first latte art patterns under professional supervision.

A Star-Studded Latte Art Demonstration

Leading the charge were some of China’s most accomplished latte artists: Chen Zijing, coach of the 2013 Seattle Coffee Festival Latte Art silver medalist; Li Jianfei, 2013 WLAC World Latte Art Championship China champion; Liu Minhui, founder of the Latte Art Forum; and Xu Xiaoping, 2014 CLAC China third-place finisher. These experts took turns at a “latte art wheel” interactive station, demonstrating techniques and creating stunning designs. Their live pours introduced the audience to the finer points of milk texturing and pouring angles, with attendees watching in amazement as hearts, tulips and rosettas materialized in cups.

Public Participation and Learning

More than just a demonstration, the event featured an open-invitation station where members of the public could try their hand at pouring latte art. With one-on-one coaching from the masters, many first-timers created their own personalized latte designs. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as newcomers experienced the challenge and satisfaction of crafting café-quality art, guided by professionals who shared tips on milk temperature, pour height and pattern control.

A Corporate Backer with Coffee Passion

This landmark Nanjing event was a key stop on the 2014 Latte Art Forum’s nationwide street art tour. The local host, Jiangsu Qianwang Intelligent Systems Co., Ltd., is primarily an internet technology firm—but its internal team of passionate baristas helped drive the initiative. Qianwang, which runs subsidiaries like Qianbao Network and has offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Xiamen, used the event to promote both coffee culture and its brand identity. "Qianwang Coffee embodies the spirit of internet geeks—we pursue perfection," said chairman Zhang Xiaolei, emphasizing the company’s commitment to precision and excellence.

Charity Pour: Raising Funds and Awareness

Beyond skill-sharing, the Nanjing event included a charity component. Partnering with Qianbao Youpiao and local cafes, organizers launched the “Coffee of Love” initiative, raising donations and supplies for the Nanjing Phoenix Disabled Persons’ Center and the Free Lunch charity. Zhang Xiaolei presented a 5,000 RMB donation to Free Lunch and distributed movie vouchers from Qianbao Youpiao to representatives of the disabled center, commenting that "a simple movie ticket can deliver love and positive energy." The event aimed to unite the coffee community in support of social causes while celebrating latte art.

Showcasing Skills and Picking a Winner

Local baristas competed on-site, each presenting their best latte art pieces to an expert panel. Following the event, all submissions were displayed on the Latte Art Forum for public voting, with audiences selecting Nanjing’s champion, first runner-up and second runner-up based on creativity, technique and presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who were the featured latte art experts at the Nanjing event?

The 2014 Latte Art Forum Nanjing event featured Chen Zijing (coach of a 2013 Seattle Coffee Festival silver medalist), Li Jianfei (2013 WLAC China champion), Liu Minhui (Latte Art Forum founder), and Xu Xiaoping (2014 CLAC China third-place finisher). They demonstrated techniques and interacted with the public at a latte art wheel station.

What was the main goal of the 2014 Latte Art Forum street tour?

The nationwide tour aimed to promote latte art skills among the public, improve coffee culture awareness, and provide a platform for baristas to share knowledge and refine their techniques through public interaction and competition.

How did the public participate in the event?

Attendees could try latte art pouring themselves with guidance from top baristas, create their own designs, and watch live demonstrations of various patterns including hearts, tulips and rosettas.

Was there a competitive element to the Nanjing event?

Yes, local baristas competed by presenting their best latte art, with all entries later posted on the Latte Art Forum for public voting to determine Nanjing’s champion, first and second runners-up.

What charity initiatives were part of the event?

The event included a “Coffee of Love” campaign in partnership with Qianbao Youpiao and local cafes, raising funds and supplies for the Nanjing Phoenix Disabled Persons’ Center and the Free Lunch charity, with a 5,000 RMB donation and movie vouchers given out.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Blends for Latte Art Practice

For those inspired to practice latte art at home after seeing the Nanjing event, FrontStreet Coffee offers three excellent blends. The Classic Blend is a medium-dark roasted mix from three regions, designed for a rich, stable crema with hints of toast and caramel—perfect for beginners. The Specialty Blend combines Colombian and Brazilian beans for a nutty, chocolatey profile with smooth milk affinity. The Commercial Blend adds a touch of Robusta to the Specialty base, boosting crema and texture for easy latte art with bold flavor. All three are ideal for developing pour control and mastering classic patterns. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.