Monks Coffee Shop celebrated its 10th birthday Saturday by hosting competitions for baristas called a “coffee kumite.”

Named for a Japanese form of sparring, the four events included coffee cupping, an aeropress competition, a cold brew bout and a latte art throwdown.

The coffee shop was crowded with people of all ages, sitting on the comfy couches or on the floor, to watch who could make the best latte art.

Allison Carroll, owner of Monks for over a year, said taking over the business is the best thing she ever has done.

“I worked as a barista in the coffee world for about ten years, so when this opportunity came up I jumped on it,” Carroll said. “I decided years ago that I wanted to own my own shop, It has been crazy but wonderful.”

The main goal for the 10th year birthday party was to bring people to learn from each other and grow together.

“You can do so many fun things,” Carrol said. “There’s innovative ways to make coffee and we just wanted to showcase that, to be bring people together who love coffee.”

Mary Kate Kohl, junior communications major from Dallas, sat with her friends to watch the latte art throwdown.

“I think my favorite thing is the atmosphere,” said Kohl. “I really just like being able to come here and be somewhere else that’s homey and to have a comfortable environment to study and talk.”

Carroll said she’s had a wonderful experience in the Abilene coffee community and she hopes to bring back the coffee kumite as a regular event at Monks.

“The coffee culture and the community that surrounds it, just makes this job worthwhile,” said Carroll. “We’re excited to see the growth of our industry, we are really excited that we have been able to bring people together.”