Barista Creates Oscar-Nominated Films in Latte Art

When you think of latte art, you might picture a simple heart or a tulip—but one New York barista has taken the craft to an entirely new level by recreating all nine films nominated for Best Picture at this year’s Oscars, entirely in steamed milk on top of lattes.

Mike Breach, a 28-year-old barista, uses just a toothpick and his skill to carve intricate movie-inspired scenes into the microfoam of a single latte—all within minutes. His work brings cinematic moments to life in the most ephemeral way possible: as coffee art that lasts just five minutes before dissolving.

The Barista Behind the Oscar Latte Art

Mike Breach isn’t your average coffee shop employee. What started as a way to kill time turned into a full-blown skill: crafting detailed figures and scenes in latte foam. Now based in New York, he’s built a reputation in the city’s coffee scene, drawing visitors specifically to see his elaborate coffee creations.

How He Turns Films Into Foam

Using nothing but a toothpick and steamed milk, Breach transforms the surface of a latte into miniature visual tributes to each of the nine Oscar-nominated films. His technique allows him to produce detailed likenesses and scenes quickly—each piece is a fleeting masterpiece, designed to be admired in the short window before the foam dissipates.

Why This Coffee Art Is Different

While cartoon-style latte art is relatively common, Breach’s approach is unique: he draws direct inspiration from major motion pictures, particularly those up for Hollywood’s most prestigious award. This is the first time someone has recreated actual Oscar-nominated films as latte art, blending pop culture with the delicate craft of milk texturing.

The Fleeting Nature of Latte Art

Despite the beauty and detail involved, latte art has a very short lifespan. Once poured, the artwork—no matter how intricate—remains visible for roughly five minutes before the foam begins to collapse, making each piece a temporary spectacle. That ephemerality is part of what makes it so special.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Mike Breach and what does he do?

Mike Breach is a 28-year-old barista based in New York who creates detailed latte art depicting the nine films nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. He uses just a toothpick and steamed milk to craft these miniature scenes.

How many Oscar-nominated films did he recreate in latte art?

Mike Breach created latte art representations of all nine films nominated for Best Picture at this year’s Oscars.

What tools does he use to make the art?

Breach uses only a toothpick and the foam from a steamed latte to create his detailed movie-inspired latte art.

How long does the coffee art last?

The latte art remains visible for approximately five minutes before the foam starts to break down, making it a short-lived form of expression.

Has anyone done this kind of latte art before?

No, this is the first known instance of someone recreating actual Oscar-nominated films as latte art, making Breach’s work a unique fusion of cinema and coffee craftsmanship.

Where can you see his coffee art?

Breach is based in New York, where coffee enthusiasts visit his shop specifically to view his elaborate and topical latte creations.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Beans for Latte Art Practice

For baristas practicing latte art like Mike Breach, FrontStreet Coffee offers several excellent blends. The FrontStreet Classic Blend is a medium-dark roasted mix from three regions, with added Robusta for enhanced crema and texture—it delivers strong flavors of butter, toast, and caramel, ideal for beginners. The Specialty Blend combines Colombian and Brazilian beans, highlighting nutty and chocolatey notes with smooth milk compatibility. For shop owners or serious learners, the Commercial Blend adds a touch more Robusta to boost body and stability, ensuring easy latte art pouring with rich, dark crema. All three are optimized for consistency and texture in milk drinks. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.