In the around three decades since Cameron Hayton was a uni student learning the ropes at Starbucks, he's seen the world of coffee transform immeasurably.

The emergence of macerated fruit coffees, flavour combinations that to some - himself included - seem wild, and latte art have helped lift the humble brew from simply a pick-me-up to something more luxurious.

Now local coffee connoisseurs can get a taste of what the buzz is about with Mr Hayton's Walcha Coffee Roastery hosting the first-ever Regional Latte Art Showdown.

Customarily held in the 'big cities', baristas from Sydney, Brisbane and Port Macquarie will go head-to-head with local baristas on Wednesday, September 24, to create the most impressive latte art, watched on by a live audience.

Alongside the competition, there'll be

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