KEY POINTS:
A barista from a tiny Manawatu town won the first Latte Art Championships at the national Coffee Festival in Auckland at the weekend.
Andrew Feldon, who operates a coffee cart on SH1 in Sanson, took home the $2000 first prize in a tough barista battle which included Carl Sara of Christchurch, who was third at the World Barista Championships in Tokyo this month.
Sara and Aucklander David Huang shared second place, with Scott Peppler of Auckland fourth.
The Aussie Baristaroos beat the Cafetto Black Cups in two face-offs.
The winners after a return match in Adelaide in October will share a $4000 prize.
Toasted Espresso of Auckland won the supreme award for coffee with its AA7 blend.
