Hong Kong’s Coffee Power Championship 2023 Returns

This December, coffee professionals and enthusiasts gather in Hong Kong not just to compete, but to connect. The third edition of the city’s energizing coffee competition—formerly known as Coffee Olympics—returns under a new, IOC-friendly name: the Coffee Power Championship. Running December 4–6 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event blends high-stakes contests with approachable games, aiming to showcase skill, foster community, and support global coffee initiatives.

In short: the Coffee Power Championship features three main events—a competitive latte art showdown, a new team-based café skills relay, and a lighthearted street latte game—with over $20 entry fees going entirely to Coffee Kids, a charity supporting coffee-farming communities worldwide.

Coffee Power Latte Art Championship: More Than Just Pretty Patterns

The headline latte art event has been revamped for greater excitement and fairness. Competitors first face the "Wheel of Art" in the preliminary round, where random spins determine whether they must pour an Espresso Macchiato, Latte, or OddCup design. The top 12 scorers move to the finals.

In the finals, participants choose one of five pre-set combinations—each specifying a vessel and latte art pattern—and have eight minutes to produce up to four drinks. Only their best single cup is judged. A smart tip: scores carry over between rounds, so if you’re within 30 points of the leader, opting for a 40-point combo could secure a comeback victory.

New for 2023: Coffee Power Ranger Championship Team Event

This brand-new team contest simulates the full coffee shop workflow—from roast to serve. Teams must demonstrate coordination across multiple roles: roaster, barista, and service staff. It’s a first-of-its-kind event highlighting how each café role contributes to the final customer experience.

Judging criteria and competition rules were developed by Emma Markland Webster, the Chief Judge at the 2014 World Barista Championship. The structured format offers competitors a professional yet collaborative environment to refine their craft and understanding of café operations.

King of Lattefighter: Fun, Fast, and for a Cause

Not your usual pro circuit event, the King of Lattefighter is a public-friendly street latte game. Using the compact home latte machine WPM KD210S2, players aim to pour the most solid hearts ("") in their milk designs—tulips or layered patterns don’t count. It’s simple, fast, and open to everyone: pros, students, or curious passerby.

Each game costs just $20, with unlimited entries and a professional judge overseeing the action. All proceeds go directly to Coffee Kids. The top street players plus the overall champions may advance to One Shot esPRESENT—an intense 30-second prize-grab challenge held on December 5 from 3:30–5:00pm and December 6 from 4:00–5:00pm.

Try Before You Compete: WPM KD210S2 Test Station

Before jumping into King of Lattefighter, players are encouraged to test their pour on the official machine, the WPM KD210S2, at Booth H26 during the concurrent Hong Kong Bakery and Pastry Exhibition. The test window runs December 4–6, giving competitors a chance to dial in their technique using the same gear they’ll face in the game.

Frequently Asked Questions

What dates is the Coffee Power Championship taking place?

The Coffee Power Championship runs from December 4 to 6, 2023, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

How does the latte art competition scoring work?

The Latte Art Championship consists of a preliminary "Wheel of Art" round (selecting random drink types like Espresso Macchiato or Latte) and a finals round where finalists choose one of five pre-set drink-and-pattern combos. Scores from both rounds accumulate, and competitors can choose higher-value combos in the finals to overcome point gaps.

What is the Coffee Power Ranger Championship?

The Coffee Power Ranger Championship is a new team-based event simulating a real café’s operation, with roles including roaster, barista, and server. Judging criteria were created by 2014 World Barista Championship Chief Judge Emma Markland Webster to encourage professional collaboration.

How does the King of Lattefighter game work?

King of Lattefighter is a public street game where players use the WPM KD210S2 home machine to pour the most solid hearts on milk designs. Each game costs $20, is open to anyone, and supports Coffee Kids. Top players may qualify for the 30-second One Shot esPRESENT prize dash.

Where can I try the WPM KD210S2 machine before competing?

You can test the WPM KD210S2 at Booth H26 during the show dates (December 4–6). It’s recommended for players to try their pours in advance of the King of Lattefighter challenge.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Latte Art

For competitors in the Coffee Power Latte Art Championship, FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera offers bright citrus and floral tones ideal for showcasing latte art contrast, while the Yirgacheffe delivers juicy berry notes and a silky crema. Both beans are single origins with clean profiles that highlight pour control and foam stability. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.