How a Former Painter Draws on Coffee Foam with Just a Spoon and Stick

Most people are used to seeing hearts, leaves, or flowers on their lattes—but what if your drink arrived with a hand-drawn portrait of your kid, your favorite boxer, or even yourself? At Bunny Baker in Manila, Philippines, that’s exactly what customers get, thanks to former painter Zach Yonzon, who sketches detailed images on coffee foam using nothing more than a spoon and a barbecue stick.

Zach Yonzon creates custom illustrations on coffee foam using just a spoon and a barbecue skewer—no stencils, no digital tools, and no extra charge to the customer.

The Artist Who Stopped Painting and Started Pouring

Zach Yonzon once worked as a painter. But after moving to Manila and opening Bunny Baker coffee shop with his wife, he channeled his artistic talent into a new medium: steamed milk and espresso foam. His signature move? Drawing a bunny—a playful nod to the café’s name—on each cup. That simple idea helped launch the shop into local fame.

How He Turns Foam Into Fine Art

Yonzon’s tools are deliberately low-tech: a regular spoon and a standard barbecue skewer. With these, he sculpts intricate designs directly onto the microfoam atop espresso-based drinks. Customers began requesting increasingly elaborate images—family portraits, cartoon characters, and even Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. “They’ve never seen patterns like this,” Yonzon says. “Most just get flowers or hearts. I want to give them something personal.”

Why It Works—and What Can Go Wrong

According to Yonzon, his technique is compatible with any coffee drink, but success depends on the drink’s thickness and the amount of foam. The biggest hurdle? Completing the drawing before the foam dissolves or the coffee cools. “You have to work fast,” he explains. “The window is small, but it’s enough if you’re precise.”

From Customer Requests to Community Workshops

Demand for his unique service grew quickly. One customer, Angie Yu, was stunned to see her child’s face illustrated in foam—“You usually just get hearts. This is actual art,” she said. Now, Yonzon runs evening classes to teach others the technique. Student Abi Radilla plans to surprise her coffee-loving parents with a custom latte at home. “I can show them something they’ve never seen before,” she said.

What’s Next? 3D Foam Art?

Yonzon isn’t stopping with flat designs. He’s actively experimenting with creating three-dimensional effects in the foam, pushing the boundaries of what coffee art can be. For now, each cup remains a fleeting masterpiece—viewed just once, then gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tools does Zach Yonzon use to draw on coffee foam?

Zach Yonzon uses only a regular spoon and a standard barbecue skewer to create detailed illustrations on coffee foam. No stencils, no digital aids, and no expensive equipment are involved.

Does Yonzon charge extra for custom coffee art?

No, Zach Yonzon does not charge extra for his custom latte art. The personalized drawings are included with the drink, no matter how complex the request.

What kinds of images can he draw on foam?

Yonzon has drawn everything from bunnies and cartoon characters to detailed portraits of Manny Pacquiao, customers’ babies, and even likenesses of the customers themselves or their loved ones.

Is his technique limited to certain types of coffee?

Yonzon says his foam art works with any kind of coffee drink, but it depends on the drink’s foam thickness and consistency. More foam allows for more detailed work.

How long does it take to make one of these coffee drawings?

While Yonzon doesn’t specify exact timing, he notes the biggest challenge is completing the artwork before the foam melts or the coffee cools, meaning he works very quickly.

Where can I learn to make coffee art like this?

Yonzon teaches evening classes at Bunny Baker in Manila, where students can learn to create similar designs using just a spoon and a skewer.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Custom Latte Art

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