MONIN Creativity Cup 2025 - Rules

Monin Creativity Cup 2025 – Rules

Open to participants 18 years and older (no maximum age limit).
Must be employed (full-time or part-time) in an active organisation, café, bar, or restaurant.
Competitors must hold a valid passport if travelling for the competition.
A maximum of two (2) competitors per organisation/chain may enter.
Local organisers have the right to reject any contestant, recipe, or individual that they consider unacceptable, inappropriate, or inconsistent with the competition rules.

All participants must submit their registration, recipes, and relevant details before the deadline set by the event organisers.
Event organisers must provide participants with at least one (1) month to submit applications and recipes.
Once submitted, recipes will be reviewed based on the rules, theme, and recipe criteria.
Competitors must follow the exact recipe submitted—changes may result in penalties or disqualification.

Pre-Stage Area (30 minutes): Competitors prepare their gear, accessories, and ingredients. Garnishes can be pre-prepared.
Setup Time (15 minutes): Competitors arrange their competition station.
Presentation Time (10 minutes): Competitors prepare and present their beverage to the judges, explaining its inspiration and connection to the theme.
- Must prepare four (4) identical drinks:
  - Three (3) for the judges
  - One (1) for display or photography
Clean-Up Time (5 minutes): Competitors must return all equipment and ingredients to their original places.
Penalties:
- 1 point deducted per second over the 10-minute presentation time.
- Competitors exceeding 11 minutes will be disqualified.
- Failure to clean up after the presentation may result in penalties.

Must use a minimum of 10ml of MONIN products (excluding MONINfusion).
Must include at least one (1) shot of espresso (30ml ± 5ml) extracted during the presentation.
Espresso must be:
- Extracted from the provided espresso machine and grinder.
- A double portafilter extraction in one continuous shot.
- Served hot or cold, depending on the recipe.
MONIN products used must be from the Asia Pacific & EMEA ranges (Le Sirop de MONIN, Le Fruit de MONIN, Le Frappe de MONIN, Le Sauce de MONIN).
Sugar substitutes (e.g., MONIN Agave, Honey, or Pure Cane Sugar Syrups) must be paired with another MONIN product/flavour.
Homemade ingredients are permitted but must not directly compete with MONIN’s available flavours or products.
Strictly no alcohol is permitted in any competition round.
Ingredients must be safe to consume, and competitors must observe cultural sensitivities in their recipes and garnishes.

The event organisers will provide:
- Espresso Machine (2-Group) with 58mm basket & double spout portafilter.
- Espresso Grinder.
- Coffee Beans (optional, if the participant does not bring their own).
- MONIN products.
Competitors must bring their own:
- Glassware, barista gear, and bar tools.
- Any additional ingredients beyond MONIN products.
- Up to two (2) additional electronic devices (must be declared 48 hours before the event).
Competitors are encouraged to bring their own coffee beans for better synergy with their recipes.

Competitors must present in English.
Judges will assess:
- Creativity of the recipe.
- Presentation and storytelling.
- Taste and balance of flavours.
- Technical skills (e.g., extraction process, workflow, cleanliness).
Judging Panel:
- 1 Technical Judge – assesses technical skills and barista execution.
- 3 Sensory Judges – evaluate taste, creativity, and presentation.
Judges must remain unbiased and avoid conflicts of interest.

Competitors may submit background music for their presentation in .mp3 or .mp4 format.
Music files must be submitted at least 1 month before the competition.
If no music is provided, the organiser reserves the right to play background music of their choice.

Competitors may be penalised or disqualified if they:

Alter their submitted recipe without notifying the organisers.
Arrive late to their station or cannot be located at the venue.
Exceed 10 minutes of presentation time (with disqualification at 11 minutes).
Fail to clean up after their presentation.
Show disrespect towards other competitors, judges, organisers, staff, or audience members.
Provide false information in their application or registration.

Competitors are expected to behave professionally and respectfully throughout the competition.
By entering, competitors grant MONIN full rights to use their recipes and presentations for marketing and promotional purposes.
MONIN reserves the right to photograph and record the event, and competitors must sign a media release agreement before competing.