Coffee culture is a vibrant and ever-evolving global phenomenon, celebrated for its artistry, innovation, and community spirit. From the warmly toasted beans, intricate designs of latte art to the rich traditions of espresso preparation, coffee has become more than just a beverage—it’s a form of creative expression and cultural exchange. Events like the first-ever SIGEP Asia, alongside the longstanding summit of 5 years, Restaurant Asia by Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS) play a crucial role in this culture, bringing together professionals from around the world to showcase their skills, explore new trends, and celebrate the diverse facets of coffee craftsmanship.
At the heart of SIGEP Asia is the Singapore National Coffee Championship (SNCC), a competition that highlights the pinnacle of coffee artistry. This event not only draws good baristas and coffee professionals from across the globe but also sets industry standards and fosters a spirit of innovation. The championship is a platform for showcasing exceptional talent in coffee preparation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and sharing unique coffee experiences.
In the midst of this vibrant celebration of coffee culture, we have the pleasure of speaking with Tan Jia Min, the newly crowned Singapore National Latte Art Champion, one of the four competitions held at SNCC. Her recent victory at the SNCC, held during SIGEP Asia, showcases her skills and dedication to the craft. As she prepares to represent Singapore on the world stage in Geneva in June 2025, Tan Jia Min shares insights into her journey in the coffee industry, the inspiration behind her winning designs and how she balances technical skill with creativity in her latte art.
Popspoken: Congratulations on your win. How does it feel to be crowned the Singapore National Latte Art Champion?
I feel really honoured and lucky to be crowned SLAC Champion at the Singapore National Coffee Championship (SNCC), amongst all the other strong competitors. Many coffee enthusiasts and supporters gathered to watch the SNCC, which was held at the Speciality Coffee & Tea Asia trade event as part of the first-ever SIGEP Asia last month, and I was thrilled and, at the same time, a little nervous. However, I did my best to apply what I’ve learnt and practised, and I am excited to be representing Singapore on the world stage in June 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Popspoken: Can you share your journey in the coffee industry and how you became interested in latte art?
I’ve had my first exposure to specialty coffee back when I was 16 years old, and with a stroke of luck, I had the chance to learn and see what goes on behind a cup of coffee; and in no time, I found myself behind the espresso machine, exploring the world of specialty coffee. Competitions are a big part of my career, and I find them especially meaningful as they build camaraderie amongst the cafe industry and also give us a goal to work towards.
Popspoken: What inspired your winning design at the Singapore National Latte Art Championship?
Cartoons! I’ve always been a big fan of Disney. So naturally, these played a big part in my creative process.
Popspoken: Latte art requires both technical skill and creativity. How do you balance these elements in your work? What are the differences between a good barista and an excellent barista?
On my usual day of work, I will always strive to practise and hone my skills with the everyday coffee orders that I get. This can help sharpen my speed and precision and also provide our customers with a beautiful cup of coffee. During work, we also discuss and study latte art designs and how we can improve further, so my colleagues play a really big part in my success today!
It’s really hard to differentiate, but, for me personally, I will always try to understand what a customer is looking for in a cup, and provide it to him/her as accurately as I can, putting a smile on every customer’s face.
Popspoken: Which are your favourite coffee joints around the world, and in particular which is the first coffee joint you will head to in Geneva?
My favourite coffee joint has to be Glitch Coffee in Tokyo, Japan. The coffee is amazing, and provides you with a great experience. Looking forward to having brunch with my team at Utopia Cafe in Geneva before taking on the World Stage.
Editor’s note (26 July 2024): SIGEP Asia is not organized by Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS), it is held alongside. This has been amended.
