Now he's taking the next step, pitting himself against the best in the business to see if he's got what it takes at Huhtamaki New Zealand Barista Championships in Wellington, starting tomorrow.
People from all corners of the country will put their creative and technical expertise to the test over two days of world-class coffee making.
Entrants are asked to make the perfect espresso and cappuccino as well as whipping up a signature drink - all within 15 minutes.
Mr Huthnance had been playing to create a special savoury coffee and felt it was a chance to see where he stood against others in the same game.
"It's all very exciting and very nerve-racking, like anything in life you want to gauge where you are ... it's like a benchmark."
Last year, Espresso Workshop's Hanna Teramoto was judged best in the country and placed 17th in the World Barista Championship, Italy.
This year's national champion will travel to Seattle in April.
Other events running this weekend are the Cup Tasters Championship, where competitors need to demonstrate speed, skill and accuracy in distinguishing differences in specialty coffees, and the Meadow Fresh New Zealand Latte Art Championship.
After all being a barista was about more than serving up the right blend, Mr Huthnance said.
"For me it's the social side, I love chit-chatting, you get a lot of that in hospitality."
