2013 Taichung Coffee Latte Art Creative Competition Winners Announced

In July 2013, the Taichung City Bureau of Economic Development hosted a unique challenge at the Taiwan Boulevard Municipal Building: a citywide search for the most creative and skillful latte art. Over 60 baristas and coffee enthusiasts gathered to compete in both professional and amateur divisions, pushing the boundaries of traditional latte art with original designs inspired by the city of Taichung.

Sixty competitors battled through preliminaries and finals across professional and general categories. Zhong Zhiting’s ‘Lake Heart Pavilion’ took the professional crown, while Tang Yucun’s ‘Eternal Love in the Harbor’ claimed first in the general division. Just 20 finalists made it to the afternoon showdown out of the initial 60.

What Was the 2013 Taichung Coffee Latte Art Competition?

The 2013 Taichung City Coffee Latte Art Creative Competition was organized by the Taichung City Bureau of Economic Development. It took place at the Taiwan Boulevard Municipal Building and welcomed 60 participants from across Taiwan. The event was split into two divisions—professional and general—with each category holding its own preliminary and final rounds. The top three winners were selected in both groups, judged on creativity, difficulty, and execution of latte art with a local Taichung theme.

How Did the Competition Work?

The event unfolded over a single day. Competitors first faced the preliminary round in the morning, where each participant presented a latte art-designed cup—typically a latte—to a panel of judges. Criteria included the complexity and originality of the pattern. Only one-third of the entrants advanced, meaning roughly 20 competitors (10 per division) moved on to the afternoon finals. Finalists then competed for the top three spots in their respective categories, with Taichung Mayor Hu Zhiqiang personally presenting the awards.

Who Won the Professional and General Divisions?

In the professional division, Zhong Zhiting won first place with his piece titled ‘Lake Heart Pavilion.’ His design depicted a poetic scene of swans gliding on a lake, inspired by Taichung’s iconic Lake Heart Pavilion. He earned praise for his original composition and execution. The professional division’s runners-up were Wu Zelian in second and Xu Lingwen in third. In the general division, Tang Yucun’s ‘Eternal Love in the Harbor’ secured first place. The design combined a swan with heart motifs to evoke romance and the city’s welcoming coffee culture. Lin Zixuan and Zhang Menghan took second and third places respectively.

Why Did the Judges Focus on Taichung-Themed Designs?

Judges looked for more than technical skill—they challenged participants to infuse their latte art with symbols of Taichung. This requirement added difficulty, as competitors had to merge artistic creativity with meaningful local imagery. The goal was to foster innovation while connecting coffee art with the identity of the host city, ultimately supporting Taichung’s growing reputation as a hub for coffee culture and romance.

What Did Taichung Officials Say About the Event?

Taichung Mayor Hu Zhiqiang attended the award ceremony and emphasized the relaxing and mood-enhancing benefits of coffee. He encouraged the city’s coffee scene to promote “authentic flavors,” referring to the balance of taste, aroma, and acidity—highlighting the importance of appreciating a coffee’s natural profile, including its acidity and fragrance. The event aimed to showcase Taichung’s cultural richness through coffee and build a stronger sense of community around the drink.

What Was the Bigger Goal of the Competition?

Beyond crowning champions, the 2013 Taichung Coffee Latte Art Creative Competition sought to promote Taichung’s image as a city with a vibrant coffee culture. By inviting participants to create art inspired by local landmarks and sentiments, the event encouraged creative exchange among baristas and enthusiasts. Organizers hoped these efforts would enhance the city’s atmosphere with a romantic, coffee-centric identity and contribute to a wider sense of civic pride and happiness through specialty coffee experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the 2013 Taichung Coffee Latte Art Competition take place?

The competition was held at the Taiwan Boulevard Municipal Building in Taichung City, Taiwan. It attracted 60 participants from across the island and was organized by the Taichung City Bureau of Economic Development.

How many people entered the 2013 Taichung coffee latte art contest?

A total of 60 coffee enthusiasts and professionals entered the 2013 Taichung Coffee Latte Art Creative Competition, with contestants competing in both professional and general divisions.

What were the prizes for winning the latte art competition?

The article does not specify material prizes, but the winners—Zhong Zhiting in the professional division with ‘Lake Heart Pavilion’ and Tang Yucun in the general division with ‘Eternal Love in the Harbor’—were awarded first place in their categories and received their trophies from Taichung Mayor Hu Zhiqiang.

What was the creative theme for the latte art competition?

Competitors were tasked with incorporating Taichung-inspired imagery into their latte art. This meant that alongside technical skill, entries were judged on how well they represented local landmarks or cultural elements, such as the Lake Heart Pavilion or themes of love and happiness.

Who were the winners in the professional and general divisions?

Zhong Zhiting won the professional division with his artwork ‘Lake Heart Pavilion,’ depicting swans on a lake. Tang Yucun won the general division with ‘Eternal Love in the Harbor,’ featuring a swan and heart design. Wu Zelian and Xu Lingwen were the professional runners-up, while Lin Zixuan and Zhang Menghan placed second and third in the general division.

How were finalists chosen in the 2013 Taichung latte art event?

In the morning preliminary round, only one-third of the 60 competitors advanced, meaning approximately 20 participants (10 per division) qualified for the finals. Final judging then determined the top three in both the professional and general categories during the afternoon session.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Beans for Practicing Latte Art

For perfecting your latte art at home, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend—an Italian-style medium-dark roast combining beans from three origins with a touch of Robusta for extra crema and stability. It offers bold flavors of butter, toast, and caramel with a thick, velvety microfoam. Alternatively, the Specialty Blend blends Colombian and Brazilian beans for nutty, chocolatey notes ideal for lattes and cappuccinos. Both are expertly roasted to support smooth pours and stable patterns. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.