2026 FNQ LATTE ART SMACKDOWN Host by White Whale Coffee Roaster x Cairns Coffee Community

2026 FNQ LATTE ART SMACKDOWN

Thursday 29 October 2026 | 4:30–7pm

Hosted by White Whale Coffee Roasters in collaboration with Cairns Coffee

Community.

FNQ baristas, it’s time to put your pouring skills to the test.

The FNQ Latte Art Smackdown brings together 16 baristas from across Far

North Queensland for a head-to-head knockout competition, working their way through

increasingly challenging rounds — working through increasingly

challenging rounds — from the classics to mystery pours, free pours and the final

showdown.

Four rounds. Head-to-head competition. One FNQ Latte Art Champion.

Doors open from 4pm at the White Whale Barista School, located at Shed 21, 4–16

Tingira Street, Portsmith (behind White Whale Portsmith Roastery).

Please park on Tingira Street and walk down the driveway next to Blackwoods.

The event is also open to spectators! Come watch the competition, grab a drink, and enjoy the atmosphere. ☕️🔥

First pour from 4:30 pm.

See you there!

THE SMACKDOWN FORMAT

ROUND 1 — THE CLASSIC

16 competitors | Head-to-head

We’re starting with the fundamentals.

Before each battle, a coin toss determines who gets to roll the big fluffy dice,

deciding which classic pattern both baristas must pour:

• Heart

• Tulip

• Rosetta

Variations (i.e., stacks) are welcome.

Eight winners progress to Round 2.

ROUND 2 — THE MYSTERY ROUND

8 competitors | Head-to-head

Time to make things interesting. The big fluffy mystery dice make another

appearance. Expect alternative milks, takeaway cups, specified designs + a few

other surprises.

Four winners progress to the semi-finals.

ROUND 3 — FREE POUR

4 competitors | Head-to-head

No prescribed pattern. No limitations.

Each competitor gets one cup to produce their best free-pour design. Creativity,

technique, and difficulty all come into play.

Two competitors progress to the final.

ROUND 4 — THE FINAL SHOWDOWN

2 competitors | Best of 3

The final two baristas go head-to-head across three possible pours:

1. Alternative Milk — Free Pour

2. Dairy Milk — Free Pour

3. The Decider — Mystery Dice

The winner of each pour takes the round. The first competitor to win two rounds

will be crowned the FNQ Latte Art Smackdown Champion.

The first to two wins is crowned the FNQ Latte Art Smackdown Champion.

JUDGING

A three-person judging panel will score each pour using a 3–2–1 point system,

considering:

• Contrast & definition

• Symmetry

• Centring & use of the cup

• Technical difficulty

• Overall visual impression

PRIZES

🥇 1st Place — $500 cash + sponsor merch & prizes

🥈 2nd Place — $250 cash + sponsor merch & prizes

Competitor entry — $20.

Limited to 16 spots. First in, best dressed.

Spectator entry — $10
Limited to 50 tickets and includes a welcome drink on arrival, plus the chance to get your hands on some sponsor giveaways.

When: Thursday 29 October | 4:30–7pm | Doors from 4pm

Where: White Whale Barista School, Shed 21 — behind our Portsmith Roastery

Come down and enjoy a fun night of good company and great competition.

EVENT PARTNERS

Hosted by: White Whale Coffee Roasters, in collaboration with Cairns Coffee Community

Merch + Goodie Bag Prizes: No Ordinary + La Marzocco + Upstream

Coffee + Cash Prizes: White Whale Coffee Roasters
Alternative Milk: No Ordinary
Dairy Milk: Dairy Farmers