Global beverage solutions brand DaVinci Gourmet has launched the inaugural DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship 2024, which spans the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
The three-stage competition is said to provide a “unique platform for the global coffee community to showcase artistry, talent, and craftsmanship while building connections”.
Under the theme United Through Coffee, the winning baristas from participating countries are set to compete at the global finals at hospitality trade show FHA HoReCa 2024 in Singapore.
The global finals feature a Winners’ Showcase on 23 October 2024, followed by the finals on 24 October 2024, where one barista will be crowned champion.
Up to AU$9000 (US$6000) in cash and other prizes will be awarded to the top three winners, with the champion also receiving a full-sponsored coffee experience trip.
Since its launch in August 2024, this worldwide competition has crowned 15 baristas from 30 participating countries that include the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Turkey, and more.
These champions will compete for the title of DaVinci Gourmet’s Barista Craft Champion 2024, showcasing their expertise through practical tests, latte art, and signature coffee presentations.
“At DaVinci Gourmet, the Barista Craft Championship celebrates coffee as a universal language, uniting baristas from participating countries under the theme United Through Coffee,” says Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager, Foodservice Brands, Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.
“It’s our way of honouring the unique flavours, techniques, and traditions that make coffee such a powerful connector while showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of baristas worldwide.”
The DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship 2024 attracted over 780 online submissions globally, with more than 110 competitors in the national finals. Singapore featured seven finalists, while the Middle East contributed 136 entries, narrowing down to 10 finalists from Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
The competition began with national preliminary rounds in August 2024, requiring participants to submit a digital entry that included a recipe, preparation method, and a photo of their creation using at least 10 millilitres of DaVinci Gourmet syrups. All entries were based on espresso and limited to three products from the brand with a maximum of eight ingredients.
For further details on the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship, take a look here.
