Piyapat Lapteerawut, often known as Flook, received his third U.S. Latte Artwork Championship by drawing on his earlier expertise.

BY CHRIS RYAN
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE

Pictures courtesy of Piyapat “Flook“ Lapteerawut

Although the World Latte Artwork Championship (WLAC) has taken place since 2005, the USA didn’t participate till only a few years in the past—2022, to be precise. That yr, Piyapat Lapteerawut, a veteran latte artist who goes by the nickname Flook, received the competitors. The subsequent yr, he received once more. In 2024, nevertheless, Flook completed second, ending his streak and leaving him questioning about his future within the competitors. 

Earlier this yr, although, Flook returned to the stage of the U.S. Latte Artwork Championship, which befell Feb. 20-23 in Durham, N.C., and achieved his objective as soon as once more, besting the sphere to earn the title of 2025 U.S. Latte Artwork Champion. Flook, who works as a latte artwork teacher at roaster-retailer Espresso Undertaking NY, will now advance to the 2025 World Latte Artwork Championship in Geneva, Switzerland, this summer time. 

We talked to Flook about studying from the previous, tackling the world competitors once more, and far more. 

Chris Ryan: What was your mindset coming into the competitors this yr? How did you put together for this yr after your previous experiences?

Flook: As you already know, I received two years in a row, then I attempted to strike for a hat trick final yr, however I couldn’t, haha. Final yr I made a number of errors, however I might say an important one can be that I didn’t follow onerous sufficient. 2024 was an costly lesson to me, and essentially the most painful one was after I went to observe the World Latte Artwork Championship in Denmark. The photographer remembered me from Taiwan, and he stated, “Why are you sitting there, not right here (on stage)?” After I heard that, I advised myself, “I’ll win subsequent yr and return on the world stage in order that man goes to take my photograph once more!” So, the second I was again in New York, I used to be working towards like loopy: 200 routines in a month—three to 4 hours a day, six days a week.

I noticed that this yr you selected to do designs you’ve achieved earlier than that you just thought would rating properly. Are you able to speak about that call, and the way it performed out? 

Principally, I can reply this query in solely one sentence: “You be taught from the previous.” As I say, don’t get caught previously, however take that as a lesson and determine your future. Final yr, after I received second place, I talked to Wenbo (Joe) Yang asking how he received. (Don’t be shocked—the latte artwork group is tremendous good. We’re at all times sharing info so we can all get higher—we are all associates right here, not enemies.) 

Principally what occurred is Joe knew easy methods to rating very properly, after I largely simply targeted on pouring and design. That’s why this yr, I picked all of the designs that scored the very best in my previous competitions, including some new methods (since I already poured all these designs earlier than, I solely wanted to follow for consistency), then focusing on total efficiency. I’d truthfully say this yr may not be essentially the most spectacular designs or one thing that wows the viewers, however my total efficiency (pouring, presenting, idea, technical) may very well be my greatest one.  

How did it really feel so that you can win once more?

Actually, (it felt like) nothing, haha. I’ve (misplaced) so many occasions already—for me it’s extra like how can I take the “L.” And once more, “L” doesn’t imply “lose,” it means “be taught!” On the finish of (the) day, dropping and successful is the nature of the competitors. So the true query is, “Did you attempt your greatest?” 

How are you feeling about WLAC in Geneva this summer time?

To start with, Geneva is costly! And Geneva in July, that’s not simply costly—that’s extraordinarily costly! (Control Flook’s Instagram, the place he might be launching a crowdfunding marketing campaign subsequent month to assist cowl his Geneva journey.) Anyway, I’m tremendous excited to go to Switzerland. That is really my second time on the planet competitors—the U.S. didn’t ship the rep in 2022. 

I may or may not change the strategy. You may already know that now at WLAC, they’re utilizing a super-automatic machine (Thermoplan Black&White4 CTS), Oatly plant-based milk within the first spherical, and new cups from Membership Home. These are what folks have been battling within the final yr, and for me, these components are more difficult than the design and pouring. 

I nonetheless haven’t practiced but—I’m ready for the sponsor, who will let me borrow the super-auto machine and provide milk help.

Is competitors and latte artwork nonetheless your focus nowadays?

Latte artwork is at all times my focus, since I’ve already talked about that I achieve loads from the group, so I need to give again to the group. This yr, I’m doing a very huge mission: I’m going to journey throughout (the) nation to show latte artwork.

I received this concept since some folks reached out about lessons and so they received impressed by my story. They wished to be taught extra about latte artwork, however sadly, they couldn’t come to New York. That’s why I got here up with this concept, and I assumed it will be tremendous cool to go on a tour educating latte artwork (like all these celebrities, though I’m not that well-known). I have already got greater than 10 cities on the checklist, and hopefully I can (go to) all of them. I’m giving my subsequent Latte Artwork Grasp Class in Maryland on April 15, and I can’t wait.

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