UNITED KINGDOM 17th June 2010

International non-profit organisation Coffee Kids will team up with Glasgow-based roaster Matthew Algie to present a Barista "Knockout" and reception in London on Thursday, June 24.

The ticketed reception, held in conjunction with the SCAE Event and Caffè Culture, takes place in The Hand and Flower pub, across from Kensington Olympia, immediately after Caffè Culture closes, from 6:00-8:00pm (18:00-20:00).

The "Knockout" will pit current and previous years' World Barista Champions against one another in a latte art competition, with the likes of Gwilym Davies and James Hoffman, among others, taking part.

Besides the "Knockout", the reception will include a showing of a short film celebrating one of Coffee Kids' partner projects, Fundación Hijos del Campo, and a brief programme by Coffee Kids Executive Director Carolyn Fairman and Matthew Algie about the organisation's work to improve the quality of life for coffee-growing families.

“Matthew Algie has supported Coffee Kids since 2001 and since that time has donated over $200,000 to Coffee Kids programmes. They set the standard for a company that recognises its connection to origin and cares about the coffee-growing families at the heart of the coffee industry,” said Carolyn Fairman, executive director of Coffee Kids.

”As long-term supporters of Coffee Kids, we continue to be impressed with their work with local partners supporting coffee communities in the widest sense. Coffee Kids’ work is particularly strong on education, health awareness and empowering women in coffee-producing communities. The Barista Knockout should be a fun way to celebrate and promote Coffee Kids’ great work”, said Gary Nicol, Chief Executive of Matthew Algie.

Tickets for the reception are in very limited supply, but can be obtained until they run out from the Coffee Kids stand (J30) at Caffè Culture; for further information contact Elisa Kelly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Tickets are free, but donations to Coffee Kids are welcome.