Meet the man hoping to become the world's best latte artist - even though his wife doesn't like coffee.

Shyam Lama, 37, from Reading, Berks., started making steamed milk drawings back in 2017 after getting a job at his brothers-in-law's café and finding himself fascinated by the art.

Loving the smiles on customers' faces, he started teaching himself through online videos, and entered his first competition in early 2022 at London Coffee Festival - where he was a runner up.

Most recently, he came fourth in the UK Latte Art Championship in London and now has set his sights on competing at the World Latte Art Championship.

Shyam says his favourite shapes to make are butterflies, dragons, monkeys, and lions, but he also enjoys art that highlights his roots in Nepal.

The dad-of-one said: "When I started, I didn't know what I was doing. I saw a guy put something on top of the coffee and I thought it was amazing, so I asked him how to do it. "

"Latte art is a mixture of science and details. I have a history in science and in art from school, so I think those things drew me towards latte art. "

"I just wanted to make customers happy. If I did something on the cup it would bring them joy as well. The best part about it is the reaction from the customer. "

"When you hand the cup over and they say ‘oh wow' it makes you feel good about what you are doing."

Despite his success at competition, the dad says he still feels like a beginner and is always learning from those around him.

However, he has big ambitions to be the best in the world and one day open his own coffee shop.

He added: "There are loads of competitions for coffee. I am competing with the best now. It makes me happy. Recently I was fourth in the UK. "

"I am in the hunt of a UK first, then on to the world. Of course, the goal is to go global and make the UK well known in terms of latte art."

"I always feel like I am a beginner barista just trying to learn. At the competitions I get inspired by all the amazing competitors, and some get inspired by me, but I still feel like a newbie. "

"Now, I can say that I am good, but I can't tell myself the best."

Shyam now works as the head Barista at Stables Roastery, where he tries to do as much latte art as the busy rush will allow.

He says that many of his family members adore his coffee, but that his wife hates the drink, so never has any of his art.

He said: "Advance latte art patterns are quite hard to do in a busy café. It takes at least 45 seconds. But simple patterns like hearts, tulips, roses, simple butterflies, and swans we do in the café regularly"

"Unfortunately, my wife doesn't like coffee, but my brothers and in-laws love it."