The Australian coffee scene is set to descend on Toby’s Estate’s Melbourne flagship in Fitzroy on 21 May as six selected finalists take part in the MONIN Coffee Cup 2025 Australian Finals.
Anthony Leung (Toby’s Estate, QLD), Juliette Robin (The Coffee Commune, QLD), Louis Xu (Code Black Coffee, VIC), Natasha Nell (Stories, WA), Rinzin Norbu (TW Crown, WA), and Vlatislav Bartoska (Ona Coffee, NSW) will compete in the event, the winner of which will represent Australia on the world stage in the finals in Kuala Lumpur in September.
The six finalists have been selected from a deep entry pool of hopefuls following a string of workshops held by MONIN around the country.
MONIN Ambassador Danni Choy says a coffee cupping-like experience was set up at workshops in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane to try and inspire the participants to utilise the products in new and innovative ways.
“We really wanted to create a strong entry pool for this year’s competition. All our syrups were set up, almost like a coffee cupping. They were all diluted in water, and we gave everyone a cupping spoon so they could taste the syrups as they are and then start thinking about what flavour combinations they enjoy,” Danni says.
“We were looking for people who were pushing the creative boundaries of coffee creations, which can sometimes be a bit difficult in a non-alcoholic setting. Essentially, we wanted to find people that had a really good idea, and we wanted to show them off.
“Entrants were asked to submit a photo of their drink, the recipe, and the inspiration. We looked through them all and selected the innovations that really excited us and were staying true to the MONIN brand of innovation and being creative, while pushing those boundaries.”
Although the ability to push the boundaries of the existing signature drinks space was crucial in the selection of the six finalists, those boundaries are set to be pushed even further in the final according to Choy.
The finalists will be assessed under the watchful eye of former champions and industry experts, all while crafting multiple drinks across the competition.
“The competitors have to make four drinks, three of which will be given to sensory judges,” Danni says.
“That’s the Brand Manager, Danielle Maher; Danny Wilson, who won the Australian MONIN Coffee Cup in 2023 and then came second in the world finals; and Jonathan Nati, who won the Australian MONIN Cup in 2024 and came first in the Asia Finals.”
The building of anticipation around this year’s finals has fallen in step with the continuing popularity of signature drinks and unique coffee creations.
No longer is it enough to serve only espresso and cappuccinos, with maybe the addition of a piccolo of Melbourne magic on the menu. Cafés are quickly becoming known for their ability to provide a new type of coffee experience for customers – and it’s offering a key point of difference in the hyper-competitive café industry.
Danni says there is a desire to support those who show the knack for progressing the signature drink movement, regardless of who is named Australian champion.
“We really want people to feel energised in the coffee space, because it’s a very exciting time where signature drinks and unique creations can be a big hit,” she says. “In cafés, how do we encourage people to go beyond just flavoured cream on cola brew? How do we show people it is easy to do something that is really creative and unique?
“Everyone in the top six, we want to encourage them, help them grow, and grow with them. Yes, the winner will get some pretty good street cred and get flown over the Kuala Lumpur to represent Australia, but we want to help them keep pushing those boundaries.”
The MONIN Coffee Cup 2025 Australian Finals are set to be held at Toby’s Estate, Fitzroy, Melbourne on 21 May from 6pm.
“We want it to be a big party,” Danni says. “We’ve got a great DJ coming in named MJK. who does some really cool stuff.
“We’re going to have sensory games and experiences to really test the people who want to test their skills, and we’re going to have canapés and bespoke cocktails, including a MONIN x Toby’s Estate cocktail for the evening.
“I think this is going to be a really great example for people who come into this event wanting to be inspired. Hopefully they’ll be inspired when they leave.”
