Tag: Barista Championship

African Fine Coffees Conference 2026 Ends with Strong Market Signals

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Addis Ababa  – Qahwa World × Buna Kurs

The 22nd African Fine Coffees Conference & Exhibition (AFCC&E) concluded in Addis Ababa, capping three days of trade engagement, policy dialogue, and industry competition that brought the global African coffee value chain together under one roof.

Held at the Addis International Convention Center (AICC) alongside the 3rd African Coffee Week, the conference drew a strong international turnout, reinforcing AFCC&E’s role as the central meeting point for the continent’s coffee sector.

The final day focused on concluding business discussions, announcing competition outcomes, and consolidating the policy and market signals that shaped the week’s conversations. Across the exhibition floor, exporters, roasters, and traders used the final hours to finalize cupping sessions and advance logistics discussions. Activity remained high in the B2B Cupping Pavilion, where verified seller sessions offered buyers access to late-stage samples and origin briefings.

The Africa Barista Championship concluded with the crowning of the 2026 Champion, following a closely contested finale that highlighted the growing professionalism of Africa’s coffee service sector. In the Regional Taste of Harvest competition, top honors were awarded to leading producers, reflecting the momentum for African specialty coffees in premium markets.

The Burundi Taste of Harvest Auction also closed on the final day, with winning lots achieving premium prices, underlining sustained buyer appetite for traceable, high-quality African coffees.

Beyond competitions, discussions highlighted producer preparedness for the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Exhibitors showcased geolocation mapping and traceability systems aimed at securing continued access to European markets. The UNIDO-led ACT Coffee Programme was also referenced as a framework for strengthening competitive value chains through industrial development at origin.

International roasters noted that logistics, financing, and risk management remain the primary constraints to scaling sourcing from Africa. The conference formally concluded with the official handover ceremony, where the African Fine Coffees Association announced the host for the 23rd AFCC&E in 2027.

The event closed with a gala dinner and awards ceremony at Friendship Park, bringing together delegates and partners to mark the end of the African Coffee Week programme.

World of Coffee Dubai 2026 concludes its fifth edition with a record 20,000 visits

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  • 50% of the exhibition space for the sixth edition next year has already been booked
  • Brazil and other countries have announced an increase in their national pavilion spaces for the next edition
  • Results of the three live auctions announced
  • Winners honoured in the four championship categories, Best New Product, and Best Design Award
  • Jean Espanti from the United Arab Emirates crowned champion of the Cezve/Ibrik World Championship
  • Adam Rubin from Benchmark Coffee named Best Barista in the UAE
  • Jomar Morales from Benchmark Coffee takes first place in the Latte Art Championship
  • Nizam Basha Luwang from Espressi named Roaster of the Year
  • Sage wins the Best New Product Award
  • Coffee Market Innovations (CMI) wins the Best Design Award

Dubai – Qahwa World

World of Coffee Dubai 2026 concluded yesterday at the Dubai World Trade Centre, announcing the winners of the local and international championships and competitions, as well as the results of the auctions held on the first and third days. The fifth edition of the exhibition was a remarkable success, recording over 20,000 visits from specialty coffee professionals across more than 80 countries., reflecting the continued growth of international attendance and global participation, and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading hub for the specialty coffee industry.

The fifth edition also witnessed the signing of a three-year partnership agreement to organise the Bahrain Coffee Festival between DXB LIVE, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), and Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB). The festival’s inaugural edition achieved strong success, positioning it as a platform that combines trade and consumer-focused activities, including workshops, live coffee preparation, championships, and interactive experiences, with the aim of engaging a wider community of coffee enthusiasts, families, and the general public. The opening day also saw the signing of a five-year partnership agreement between World of Coffee Dubai and the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), extending the collaboration through 2031.

As the 2026 edition ended yesterday evening, DXB LIVE, the integrated event management and experiential agency of the Dubai World Trade Centre and organiser of the event, confirmed strong demand for exhibition space in the next edition. 50% of the exhibition space for the sixth edition of World of Coffee Dubai 2027 has already been booked. The next edition is scheduled to take place from 26–28 January 2027 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The final day marked the conclusion of four championship competitions, including three UAE national titles and the World Cezve/Ibrik Championship, recognising technical excellence, consistency, and performance under internationally recognised standards.

In the UAE National Barista Championship, Adam Ruben (Benchmark Coffee) was crowned National Champion, with Nooran Albannay (Coffee Architecture) securing second place and Serkan Sagsoz (Julith Coffee) placing third, following assessments across espresso, milk-based beverages, and signature drinks.

The UAE National Latte Art Championship recognised excellence in creativity, control, and technical precision, with Jhomar Morales (Benchmark) taking first place, followed by Mark Lyster Gimeno (Heaf) and Win Min Htike (Jebena Specialty Coffee) in second and third positions respectively.

The UAE National Roasting Championship concluded with Nizam Pasha Lolowang (Espressi) awarded first place, with Ajeyudu Pathuri (Brewing Gadgets) securing second place and Raha Shahsavar (Crack Coffee Roastery)placing third, recognising excellence in roast development, flavour profiling, and consistency.

At the international level, the World Cezve/Ibrik Championship crowned Jane Espante (United Arab Emirates) as the 2026 champion, followed by Angel Kotsifakis (Greece) in second place and Waël Hachem (France) in third. The championship celebrates one of the world’s oldest coffee brewing traditions through contemporary specialty coffee standards.

Innovation and creativity were celebrated through the event’s awards programme. The Best New Product Award was presented to Sage for The Oracle Dual Boiler, recognising innovation in coffee equipment and brewing technology. The Coffee Design Award was awarded to Coffee Market Innovations (CMI), celebrating excellence in stand design, creativity, and brand presentation on the exhibition floor.

Key commercial results were confirmed through the Dubai Coffee Auction programme, with the Dubai Coffee Equipment Auction on Day One and the Exhibitors’ Coffee Auction on Day Three, organised by DXB LIVE with DMCC, delivering major milestones including a Bolivian coffee reaching USD 386 per kilogram (the origin’s second highest price on record), the first ever continental U.S. coffee offered at auction setting a new price benchmark, and a record diversity of 13 origins represented in a single auction, reinforcing World of Coffee Dubai’s role as a transparent, trade driven marketplace for global buyers and producers.

Commenting on the fifth edition, Khalid Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President of DXB LIVE, said: “World of Coffee Dubai has firmly established itself as a platform where the specialty coffee industry comes together to celebrate excellence, exchange knowledge, and conduct meaningful business. The remarkable growth in visitor numbers, along with the strong early demand for exhibition space for the 2027 edition, reflects the role of both Dubai and the event as a hub connecting markets, talent, and opportunities.”

Over the course of three days, World of Coffee Dubai 2026 brought together more than 2,100 exhibiting companies and brands from 78 countries, serving as a key meeting point for producers, roasters, manufacturers, buyers, and decision-makers across all stages of the specialty coffee value chain. The final day shifted the focus from engagement to recognition, with a formal celebration of professional excellence, innovation, and achievements within the sector.

As World of Coffee Dubai 2026 concludes, the fifth edition stands as its largest and most internationally diverse to date, underscoring Dubai’s growing influence as a global hub for specialty coffee trade, professional excellence, and innovation.

About World of Coffee Dubai

World of Coffee Dubai (WOC Dubai) is the premier coffee trade show for exhibitors and visitors looking to break into the Middle East’s burgeoning coffee industry. The event showcases popular features like the Roaster Village, engaging lectures, the Cupping Room, the SCA UAE National Championships, the Coffee Design Awards, the Best New Display Product Competition, Brew Bar, and the SCA Community Lounge, where buyers and sellers come together to reconnect and establish new business relationships. The exhibition welcomes local, regional, and global professionals in the coffee industry including producers, manufacturers, traders, farmers, international experts, distributors, small and medium companies, coffee shops, roasters, hotels, and coffee enthusiasts from around the world.

About SCA

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is the world’s largest nonprofit, membership-based trade association in the coffee industry. Representing thousands of coffee professionals globally from producers to baristas, the organization is built on foundations of openness, inclusivity, and the power of shared knowledge, fostering an international coffee community to make specialty coffee a thriving, equitable, and sustainable activity for the entire value chain. From coffee farmers to baristas and roasters, our membership spans the globe, encompassing every element of the coffee value chain. The SCA acts as a unifying force within the specialty coffee industry and works to make coffee better by raising standards worldwide through a collaborative and progressive approach.

About DXB LIVE

DXB LIVE, the premier event management and experiential agency of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) offers a comprehensive range of services, providing innovative solutions for all types of events and experiences both within the UAE and internationally. Over the years, DXB LIVE has successfully created a fully integrated and globally recognized experiential environment, driven by its state-of-the-art in-house production facilities and advanced technical expertise. The team covers strategic concept

Loay AlHattali Crowned Champion of the 2ed Gulf Coffee Maker competition

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Ras Al Khaimah – Qahwa World

Omani barista Loay AlHattali, representing Historia Roastery from the Sultanate of Oman, was crowned champion of the second edition of the Gulf Coffee Maker Competition 2026, held in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, amid strong and diverse Gulf participation.

The competition witnessed intense competition among 44 skilled baristas from the UAE, Oman, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, all showcasing exceptional technical expertise, creativity, and a deep understanding of specialty coffee, making the judging process highly competitive.

Emirati competitor Aisha AlSuweidi secured second place, while Omani barista Moayed AlHousni claimed third place, reflecting the strong presence and growing professionalism of Gulf coffee talent.

In the Junior Coffee Makers Category, Emirati participant Mohammed AlShumaili won first place in a category introduced for the first time this year to support young home-based coffee makers aged between 15 and 18.

In an exclusive statement to Qahwa World, champion Loay AlHattali expressed his immense happiness with the win, describing it as a starting point rather than a final destination, and emphasizing that the title motivates him to participate in future regional and international championships to achieve further accolades.

For his part, Saeed AlMannaei, founder of S3 Café and organizer of the championship, congratulated all winners and praised the high level of competition displayed throughout the event. Speaking to Qahwa World World, Al-Mannaei highlighted the significant growth of the championship, noting that the number of participants increased from 27 in the first edition to 44 competitors this year. He also announced that the total prize value was doubled from AED 10,000 last year to AED 20,000 in the current edition.

AlMannaei added that the introduction of the Junior Coffee Makers category reflects the organizers’ commitment to discovering and nurturing young talent, providing dedicated trophies and recognition to encourage the next generation of coffee enthusiasts.

The championship attracted a distinguished audience of Gulf coffee professionals and enthusiasts, who enjoyed an energetic and engaging atmosphere further enhanced by the distribution of 100 prizes to attendees, reinforcing the event’s philosophy that everyone is a winner.

The competition was overseen by a highly experienced judging panel consisting of Fatima AlKetbi and Shamma bint Lahij from the United Arab Emirates, and Ahmed AlHabsi from the Sultanate of Oman, ensuring the highest standards of professionalism and evaluation.

Neil Golez Crowned Champion of the UAE AeroPress Championship 2025

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Dubai – Qahwa World

Neil Golez from Form Roastery in Al Ain has been crowned the Champion of the UAE AeroPress Championship 2025, following three days of intense competition among 250 of the UAE’s most skilled baristas.
Shang Delota from Llama Café claimed second place, while Romario Junior from Modern Coffee by WatchHouse took third.

The championship concluded at Almas Tower, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), where Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC, crowned the winners in the presence of Garfield Kerr, President of the Specialty Coffee Association and CEO of Mokha 1450, and Khalid Al Mulla, President of the Specialty Coffee Association UAE Chapter and Founder of the Coffee Museum in Dubai.

In his first statement after being crowned champion, Neil Golez told Qahwa World:
“This is actually my third season competing. I already have a gold, a silver, and now this gold again. Honestly, I just wanted to win bronze to complete the set — I didn’t expect to take home the gold!

The coffee itself was quite tricky, especially the beans we were given for the finals. I’m really thankful to my colleagues who helped me perfect my recipes; without them, I couldn’t have achieved the water composition I used.

As for my recipe, I kept it simple — focusing on balancing minerals to reduce acidity and enhance the coffee’s body and sweetness. I’m really happy with the result.”

Neil Golez will represent the United Arab Emirates at the World AeroPress Championship 2025, taking place on December 5–6 in Seoul, South Korea.

This year’s event was held under the theme “Celebrating Coffee Culture”, honoring the UAE’s deep-rooted coffee heritage — from the traditional Arabic coffee prepared in the dallah to the rise of specialty coffee and modern brewing methods such as the AeroPress. The event showcased how these traditions come together to form one of the most vibrant and innovative coffee cultures in the world.

The UAE AeroPress Championship is more than just a competition — it’s a celebration of community, craftsmanship, and culture. This open and inclusive event welcomes everyone: professional baristas, hobbyists, café owners, coffee brands, and casual visitors. Guests enjoyed a lively atmosphere filled with activities, specialty coffee tasting, AeroPress giveaways, and interactive community programs — the perfect setting to discover the latest coffee trends, connect with local roasters, and witness coffee excellence at its finest.

The World AeroPress Championship is one of the most accessible and widely celebrated coffee competitions, with over 175 events across 60+ countries and more than 5,000 participants annually. Its simple, fast-paced, and enjoyable format creates a relaxed environment that allows creativity and skill to shine. All competitors use the same AeroPress device and coffee provided by the official sponsor, ensuring a fair contest that truly tests brewing skill and innovation.

Registration Opens for Emirati Baristas Brewing Competition 2025 at Sheikh Zayed Festival

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Abu Dhabi – Qahwa World 

The aroma of competition is brewing once again as registration officially opens for the Emirati Baristas Brewing Competition 2025, one of the most anticipated national coffee events of the year. The competition will take place on November 21, 2025, at the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi — offering a platform for Emirati baristas to showcase their skills, creativity, and deep passion for coffee.

Organized by Caffeinection, Your Ultimate Coffee Hub (One-Stop-Shop) for beans, tools, equipment, services, coffee consulting, and event management, the competition aims to spotlight local talent and advance the UAE’s thriving specialty coffee community. Caffeinection, the official distributor of MHW-3Bomber, brings together innovation and craftsmanship to elevate the coffee experience in the Emirates.

The event is being held in collaboration with Grateful Café & Roastery, the Abu Dhabi-based specialty coffee destination known for its fresh roasts and its motto, “Serving gratitude in every cup.” Together, the organizers promise an event filled with flavor, creativity, and community spirit.

Venue: Sheikh Zayed Festival, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Date: November 21, 2025

Registration Fee: AED 200

Note: Limited slots available

Taking place within the Sheikh Zayed Festival, one of the UAE’s largest cultural celebrations, the competition will blend the world of coffee with art, culture, and entertainment. Families and visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy spectacular shows, international cuisines, exhibitions, fireworks, and attractions — all while witnessing the artistry of Emirati brewers at work.

Registration is now open through Caffeinection’s official website

With this event, Caffeinection and Grateful Café & Roastery reaffirm their commitment to nurturing the Emirati coffee community — a movement that continues to place the UAE among the most dynamic centers of specialty coffee culture in the region.

Rose Domingo Nikki Crowned “Barista of the Year” at Drinkit

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Dubai, August 23, 2025 (Qahwa World) – Rose Domingo Nikki has been named Barista of the Year at the Drinkit Barista Championship held in the UAE. The grand finale took place today at the Victoria Arduino Experience Center in Dubai. Wainaiana Sammy secured second place, followed by Ndikum Chefor Skyler in third.

In an exclusive interview with Qahwa World after her win, Rose Domingo Nikki expressed her overwhelming joy, saying: “I never expected to win… My colleagues here performed exceptionally well… Honestly, I was surprised myself… I’m overflowing with emotion at this moment, and I hope this experience propels me toward continued growth.”

This was the inaugural championship, organized in parallel across the UAE, the Russian Federation, and Kazakhstan, under Drinkit’s guiding motto: “We compete not to prove something, but to grow. That is the Drinkit spirit.”

The competition began internally across Drinkit’s seven Dubai branches, with one standout barista from each advancing to the final round, where the top three were decided.

Though initially hesitant to attend, I honored my promise to Albina Khamidullina—and was surprised to find the event far exceeded expectations. It transcended a typical contest; it became a deeply enriching social and communal experience, brimming with warmth and camaraderie unique to Dubai’s Drinkit team.

The atmosphere was charged with mutual support and encouragement. Rather than competing against each other, participants cheered one another on—truly embodying “competing to grow.”

What moved me most was the shared joy—smiles, laughter, and genuine emotion. It felt more like celebrating a collective achievement than a competition. Everyone—staff and participants alike—felt like stakeholders, not just employees. Having covered similar events, it’s rare to witness such authentic, community-driven celebration.

Elena Gess, Head of learning and Development at Drinkit, received heartfelt gratitude. Though the event wasn’t designed for speeches, team members couldn’t help but express their appreciation for her mentorship and unwavering support. Many credited her encouragement—even in small gestures during the competition—for their success.

Despite her modesty, Elena addressed the crowd: “I hadn’t planned to speak. I just wanted to make today memorable for you. This isn’t about me—it’s about you. You inspire me to push myself, to find opportunities for you. What makes me special is you all. This day, this competition, means nothing without you. It’s all thanks to you. Thank you.”

Albina Khamidullina, Head of Marketing also received widespread admiration for leading with professionalism and positivity.

The event was further elevated by the presence of Mikael Jasin, the 2024 World Barista Champion. He lauded Drinkit’s initiative, encouraging the company to sustain such efforts. “It’s wonderful to be here, to witness competition, mutual support—even dancing! This reflects exceptional company culture. Only great organizations allow their people to express themselves fully. You’re not just honoring your craft; you’re building a creative, courageous community. Hats off to you all.”

Federico Ortili, General Manager of Simonelli Group for the Middle East, praised the Experience Center in Dubai as an ideal host venue, commending the positive energy and calling the championship “a unique incentive for shared and sustainable growth.”

Notably, Drinkit recently celebrated the opening of its 100th café across the UAE, Russia, and Kazakhstan—a testament to dedicated teams and loyal clientele.

What began as a digital-first concept is evolving into a global specialty coffee chain. Backed by Dodo Brands, fueled by smart technology and passionate people, Drinkit continues to demonstrate that great coffee and great systems go hand in hand.