The 2019 edition of the Los Angeles Coffee Festival is in the books, and what an epic scene it was! Long a staple of the London specialty coffee culture thanks to the wildly successful London Coffee Festival, this was the second LA edition of the event, and came out chockablock with epic LA energy. The music, the coffee, the fashion, all of it was on dazzling display across this remarkable festival.

Whether you took the 101 to the 405 to the 10 to make it in (or just hopped on the Expo Line), there was something for everyone at the LACF. Here’s a few of our favorite moments from the 2019 edition of the Los Angeles Coffee Festival.

Coffee Masters

This year’s winner of the Coffee Masters tournament was Carlos De La Torre of Mexico City! De La Torre works with Avellaneda Cafe and Cafe Con Jiribilla. This was his first win at Coffee Masters, but he’s a decorated barista competitor, having previously placed and won across a range of competitions in Mexico, including the Cup Tasters, Brewers Cup, and Barista competitions.

We’ll be diving in on Carlos De La Torre’s win in a spotlight feature in the days to come on Sprudge. For now, check out his epic signature drink entry video, and congratulations from all of us at Sprudge!

Of course, this year’s winner was only part of the scene at the Coffee Masters Tournament. Masters of Ceremonies Erika Vonie and Lem Butler held it down on stage, while a global spate of competitors brought the heat. In the end there was just one winner, but really we were all winners at the Coffee Masters.

The Booths

We just couldn’t get enough of the epic booths at the 2019 LA Coffee Festival. Here’s a few of our favorites:

Hario made it work with this epic pink neon.

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Slayer always brings the style, teamed up here with the folks at Equator Coffees for delicious espresso service.

Swoon? Swoon!

La Marzocco Home brought the heat!

IKAWA packed a lot of education and talent into a little sample roaster package.

Look at this beautiful new packaging from Rishi Tea!

Moo Pods. They’re pods of moo, and their cow-themed booth was a scene stealer.

Latte Art Live

New York’s own Rec Coffee brought the lively action of Latte Art Live to the 2019 LA Coffee Festival, featuring educational demos, epic throwdowns, and a Latte Art Pro/Am. The stage was packed all weekend long, anchored by Astoria, Califia, Straus Family Creamery, Mahlkönig, and Water Wise.

Alternative Milks

Maybe it’s just an LA thing, but the alternative milk scene at this year’s festival was out of control. Here’s a couple of the epic alt milk booths we checked out!

Oatly always brings it at these shows. Hi Oatly, y’all a bunch of oats!

Hometown heroes Califia were not to be outdone. Check them out!

Minor Figures in the house!

The Coffee Music Project

Befitting the LA vibes for this year’s festival, the Coffee Music Project stage featured awesome live music all weekend long. Pictured here is Daisy Chute, winners of the 2018 Coffee Music Project London. For a full list of featured artists at this year’s festival please click here.

Thanks to everyone who made this year’s festival memorable and incredible, and we’ll see you in London for the 2020 London Coffee Festival!

Photos by Josh Littlefield for Sprudge Media Network. Josh Littlefield contributed to this reporting. 

Disclosure: The 2019 New York Coffee Festival is presented by Allegra Events, and an advertising partner on the Sprudge Media Network. 

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