Meet Nicky Voon Pei Xin — a home-grown champion barista, with a string of wins to her name. Beyond just a skilled barista, Voon is a force to be reckoned with in the brewing-verse, painstakingly earning her stripes through sheer perseverance and hard work.
She emerged as champion at the Malaysia Latte Art Championship consecutively in 2019 and 2020, and achieved impressive rankings at the World Latte Art Championships, securing the eighth spot in Berlin (2019) and fourth in Italy (2022). In 2023, she clinched second place in Korea’s World Latte Art Battle.
Doubling as Head Barista and Head Trainer while rotating her time among the 103 Coffee’s Kuala Lumpur outlets in Desa ParkCity, Sri Petaling, Chow Kit and APW Bangsar, Voon reflects that her exhilarating “10 minutes on stage” during competitions culminates a decade of dedicated practice.
Interestingly, Voon confesses that coffee was not always her first love, but it has become her true calling thanks to 103 Coffee.
Parklife: How did you start your journey in coffee artistry?
Voon: At 17, I was captivated by the character “A Bu-si” played by Megan Lai in the 2014 Taiwanese film Café. Waiting. Love. Her ability to make any coffee to order inspired me deeply, leading me to become a part-time barista. It was her cool demeanour and skill in the movie that initially sparked my passion.
Then, at end-2016, at the age of 19 and right after college, I joined 103 Coffee, eager to pursue a full-time barista career. I had varied interests in music then — from playing drums and piano to guitar and ukulele — but nothing quite captured my attention like coffee. I’m thankful for the opportunity and guidance provided by 103 Coffee’s founder, Ken Wong and his wife, Jewel Ting, as well as my head coach and the cafe’s co-founder Irvine Quek.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a barista?
Mastering coffee knowledge is crucial; understanding which beans yield the best brew is essential; and maintaining consistency is another challenging aspect.
Have you always been talented in art?
Hardly! It took me two years to perfect my poodle latte design. In truth, it’s not about having good drawing skills but all about practice.
How do you stay innovative and creative with your latte art designs?
Creativity in latte art is a continuous journey. I draw inspiration from everything around me, namely nature and animals.
Do you get nervous during competitions, especially at international events where you compete with baristas worldwide?
My focus intensifies during competitions. I’m so absorbed in perfecting my craft that there’s no room for nerves.
I notice the word “Effort” tattooed on your right arm and “Humble” on your left arm — how did that come about?
I got them following my 2019 victory — to serve as personal reminders. “Effort” symbolises the years of practice it took to excel, and “Humble” keeps me grounded amidst my achievements. I believe that success should not lead to arrogance or a big ego.
What are your future aspirations?
I plan to open my own cafe through a partnership with 103 Coffee, preferably in South Korea, as I’m a huge fan of Korean culture and K-pop.
Can you describe a day in your work life?
I usually work 10 hours a day with a one-hour break, rotating among the various outlets, though I most enjoy the pet-friendly environment at the outlet in Desa ParkCity. Daily coffee tasting is a must and I usually have more than two cups a day. Thankfully, it doesn’t disrupt my sleep!
What advice would you offer to aspiring baristas?
I believe the main challenge young trainees face is impatience. My younger self was like that too. Discouraged by the lack of immediate progress, some fall by the wayside, forcing them to search for different career paths. For those who want to succeed as baristas, the road to success calls for effort, patience and persistence.
And lastly, what’s your favourite brew at 103 Coffee?
I’m not a fan of milk-heavy drinks, so lattes and cappuccinos don’t top the list. Instead, I prefer Long Black and Americano for their strong flavours. I also love the fruity notes of Ethiopian beans.
103 Coffee
FF03A-5, The Waterfront
5, Persiaran Residen, Desa ParkCity
52200 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 012-6502688
Opening hours: 8am to 9pm daily
