Tag: coffee competitions UAE

SCA UAE Completes All Seven National Coffee Championships

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DUBAI – QAHWA WORLD

The Specialty Coffee Association UAE has officially concluded all seven of its National Coffee Championships, marking a significant milestone for the country’s rapidly growing specialty coffee sector.

The successful completion of the championship season reflects months of preparation, collaboration, and commitment from partners, sponsors, judges, volunteers, competitors, and the wider coffee community. Their collective effort has strengthened the UAE’s position as a serious contender on the global specialty coffee stage.

SCA UAE emphasized that the championships are more than competitions—they are platforms designed to nurture talent, encourage innovation, and raise professional standards across the industry. With each edition, the national stage continues to produce competitors capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best.

  • UAE National Champions Set for the World Stage

Following the conclusion of the national events, SCA UAE proudly announced the champions who will represent the country at upcoming World Coffee Championships across multiple continents in 2026.

  • Cezve/Ibrik Champion

Jane Espante – Behind the Cup
Espante represented the UAE at World of Coffee Dubai (January 18–20, 2026) and secured victory at the World Cezve/Ibrik Championship, delivering a landmark achievement for the nation.

  • Latte Art Champion

Jhomar Morales – Benchmark
Morales will represent the UAE at World of Coffee USA in San Diego (April 10–12, 2026).

  • Cup Tasters Champion

Adeola Peter Akingbade – Laura Coffee
Akingbade is set to compete at World of Coffee Asia in Bangkok (May 7–9, 2026).

  • Brewers Cup Champion

Ibrahim Al Mallouhi – The Espresso Lab
Al Mallouhi will take the UAE’s brewing expertise to World of Coffee Europe in Brussels (June 25–27, 2026).

  • Coffee in Good Spirits Champion

Mariam Erin – Brewing Gadgets
Erin will also compete in Brussels at World of Coffee Europe (June 25–27, 2026).

  • Roasting Champion (2026)

Raha Shahsavar – Crack Coffee Roastery
Shahsavar will represent the UAE at World of Coffee Europe in Brussels (June 25–27, 2026).

  • Barista Champion

Frederick Adam Ruben – Benchmark
Ruben will compete at World of Coffee Panama in Panama City (October 22–25, 2026).

  • Roasting Champion (2026)

Nizam Pasha Lolowang – Espressi
Lolowang holds the 2027 national roasting title, further demonstrating the depth of roasting talent emerging in the UAE.

  • Elevating the UAE’s Specialty Coffee Reputation

The breadth of categories—from Cezve/Ibrik and Latte Art to Roasting and Coffee in Good Spirits—highlights the maturity of the UAE’s specialty coffee ecosystem. Over the past decade, the country has evolved from a fast-growing market into a competitive force within the international coffee community.

SCA UAE extended its appreciation to everyone who contributed time, expertise, and trust throughout the championship season, underscoring that the strength of the industry lies in collective effort.

As these national champions prepare to step onto the global stage, they carry not only personal ambition but also the pride of an entire coffee community. With international audiences watching, the UAE’s representatives are poised to showcase the country’s craftsmanship, creativity, and commitment to excellence.

The world stage awaits—and the UAE coffee community stands firmly behind its champions.

Registration Open for the 2026 UAE National Barista, Latte Art & Roasting Championships

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Dubai – Qahwa World

The Specialty Coffee Association – UAE (SCA UAE) has announced the opening of registration for the 2026 UAE National Barista, Latte Art & Roasting Championships, which will be held as part of the World of Coffee Dubai 2026 exhibition at Za’abeel Halls, Dubai World Trade Centre, from January 18 to 20, 2026.

SCA UAE confirmed that the championships will be conducted according to the standards of the World Coffee Championships (WCC), with registration open until December 10, 2026.

Eligibility requirements are as follows:

For UAE Nationals:

Copy of passport

Active membership with SCA UAE

For Residents:

Copy of passport

Copy of UAE residency visa (both old and new as proof of two years residency)

Active membership with SCA UAE

All applicants must complete the online registration form and upload the required documents. A specialized committee will review submissions and select participants based on the completeness and validity of their documents. Confirmed participants will receive an official confirmation email.

Participation Fee: AED 1,500 per championship.

Official Competition Equipment:

Victoria Arduino Espresso Machine, Eagle One model, equipped with two espresso heads, 58mm filter baskets, and Mythos MY 75 grinder.

IRM Coffee Roasting Machine.

SCA UAE also invites volunteers and sponsors to support the championships and contribute to the success of the event.

For registration and further information, contact: [email protected]

Golden Ticket Offers New Chance for Direct Entry to UAE AeroPress Championship 2025 Finals

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Dubai – Qahwa World

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, and following yesterday’s call for anticipation, the organising committee of the UAE AeroPress Championship 2025 announced the launch of the Golden Ticket Competition, which will grant three participants direct qualification to the finals scheduled for November 6 – 8, 2025, at the DMCC Coffee Centre in Dubai.

How to Participate

Entrants are required to produce a creative video showcasing the AeroPress in a way that reflects UAE culture, incorporating elements of heritage, landmarks, colors, and traditions.
The video must be posted on Instagram as a Reel, tagging the official account and using the hashtag #2025GoldenTicketChallenge, in addition to uploading it through the official registration link available in the championship’s Instagram highlights.

Key Dates and Conditions

Submissions are open from September 30 to October 25, 2025.

Entries received after this deadline will not be accepted.

Only one entry is allowed per participant.

Judging

The championship team will review all entries and select the three best videos. Winners will each be awarded a Golden Ticket, granting them direct access to the finals without participating in the preliminary rounds.

The committee emphasized that the initiative is designed to foster creativity, expand participation, and provide coffee enthusiasts with an additional opportunity to take part in one of the country’s most prominent coffee competitions.

Tomorrow Could Be Your Lucky Day: UAE AeroPress Championship Announces Competitors

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Dubai – Qahwa World

Tomorrow could be your lucky day! For everyone who didn’t make it onto the competitor list for the UAE AeroPress Championship 2025, which will be held from November 6–8, 2025, don’t lose hope… the organizers have promised a surprise announcement tomorrow that could change everything. No one knows what it will be, but everyone is invited to stay tuned.

The organizers of the UAE AeroPress Championship 2025, which will take place at the DMCC Coffee Centre in Dubai, have announced the full list of competitors from across the Emirates.
Check the list to see if your name is among them!

Abu Dhabi

Adriane Tigatoola – Siglo Cafe
Ahmed Mahmoud Mohamed Hasanin – Rain Cafe
Alyazia Ahmad Abdulla Alameri – Opulent
Anahita Ghasemi – Meraki Cafe And Roastery
Archie Cadiz – Independent
Awadh Abdalla Abdulrahman – The Qc Cafe
Bibek Tamang – Radio Roastery
Carlos Pesons Manulat – Emirates Hospitality Restaurant Management
Chris David Paquera – Royal Simplicity Coffee Trading LLC
Christopher Lance Masacayan – Roastrip
Dikdik Ahmady – Meraki Cafe And Roastery
Filip Tesani – Things Specialty Cafe
Hue William Gorit – Seed Coffee Roasters
Jea Ann Malanum – Laura Coffee
Jerick Sarmiento – Ast Green Coffee
John Philip Bautista – Brewlab Roastery
Johnmica Pelayo – Independent
Khalid Nsubuga – Link Lounge Cafe
La Crista Usal – Daily Press
Ma. Mirasol Go – The Echo Machine
Mark Edwin Dela Vega – Ten11
Monther – Independent
Neil Golez – Form Roastery
Paul John B. Suba – The Brew Crew
Pradeep Rai – Refill Reserve
Raju Tamang – 125 Specialty Coffee
Rema Charlon – The Qc Roastery And Academy
Rey Laud – Shot Speciality Cafe
Richard Carullo – Elmatador Roastery
Rohit Ashok Salunke – Irdk Cafe LLC
Rovic Geronimo – Risen
Siyeyondji Djoumbissie Ezekiel Maurel – Grandmother Coffee Roastery
Su Sandar Zaw – The Optimist Cafe
Tariq Almazrouei – Independent
Usama Hasnain – Coffee Zero Three
Yaneth Martínez – The Coffee Birds

Dubai

Aaron Jeremaiah A. Dela Rosa – The Soul Specialty Coffee
Abdul Kader – Wawé Specialty Coffee
Ali Tahmasebi Azad – The Espresso Lab
Ammar – Independent
Amna Almansoori – Independent
Anderson Dante – Harvester
Andre Raka Dewa – White Mantis Roastery
Aung Ko Oo – Caffeine Connoisseurs Academy
Benedick Cera Beredo – Dory Cafe
Bernadeth Marie Salazar – Nomads Roastery
Bishesh Thapa – The Barn Coffee Roaster Berlin
Cecilia Njeri Munjeru – Costa Coffee UAE
Daudi Kubona – Ror Coffee Solution
Hnin Kha Nady – Slick Brew
Jason Rey Galinea – Ubec Coffee Roasters
Jayson Ocampo – Rstd Roasters
Jhonald Romanes – Monza LLC
Jimuel Merjilla – Syteo International
Joel Subba – Dunes Specialty Coffee
John Patrick Anar – Forma
Khalid Ahmed Hafez – Cartel Coffee Roasters
Komal Magar – Scorestore
Krizzia Mae L. Tan – Ror Coffee Solutions
Moises Mayorca – Cascara Coffee Trading LLC
Nelson Allado – Costa Coffee UAE
Nickolson Factura – Laura Coffee
Nicolás Montero Solorzano – Independent
Nour Al Baash – Independent
Prabin Rai – Column Specialty Coffee
Pradip Basnet – Gerbou
Raihan Setia Permana – Orto Cafe
Renato Jr Sunga – Halfcup
Richa Shrestha – Okpasa Coffee Trading Co. L.L.C
Romario Syahri Yunior – Independent
Umesh Maduwathna – Royal Simplicity Coffee
Usman – Ethr Cafe

Sharjah

Abdallah Alobaidly – Independent
Abubakarr Koroma – Batter & Butter Café
Arjun Tamang – Gnad Cafe
Arvin Joseph Bien – Dunes Cafe
Ashim Gurung – The Hut
Carlitos B. Candido Jr. – Heirloom Cafe
Christopher Joseph Rasay – Espressi Coffee Shop LLC
Danlen Figueroa Basilio – Retro7 Cafe
Dorah Naluyima – Laura Coffee
Efryl Mabalot Tampoli – Drowsycafe
Elton Echavez Gono – South Roastery
Haseeb Ahmad – Massimos
Ibrahim Alketbi – Ibk
Jeffrey Charies M. Bañez – Scale Food LLC (Drowsy Cafe)
Jose Manrico Mendoza – Abc Coffee Roasters
Joseff Rioveros – The Basement
Kabindra Pun – Black Coffee House
Karen Grace Gatmaitan – Project Coffee Roaster
Ken Villar – Fyn Specialty Coffee
Kevin Jay Bayudan – Born Bakery And Bistro
Kisha Charmane Cruz – Sdd
Maria Juvirose Reyes – Fltr
Masood Khan – Good Neighbor Coffee
Maybelle Sopena – Kaf Cafe LLC
Michael Angelo – Pawdy Neighbors
Mohammed Adnan Alhuwaidi – Musaeed Cafe
Neil Aldrin Lacson – Toga Coffee House
Rollen Bacani – Heirloom Cafe
Runday Boyonas – Saraya Roastery
Rupa Gurung – South Coffee And Rostery
Saah Caleb Che – Devmark Group Real Estate
Samson Kibunja – Baitna Cafe
Sara Rai – Grandmother Roastery
Sarriel Cruz – Toga Coffeehouse
Wenson Orzame – Sharjah Rulers Office
Yancy Kim D. Perona – Not A Space

Fujairah

Ali Mohammed Almazroui – Independent
Arck Anjel R Corpin – Windmill Roastery
Arjun Rai – Cupital Cafe
Beveraly Castrodes – Blackout Specialty Coffee
Bidhan – Saraya Roastery
Bilal Hassan – Grid Cafe
Birendra Tamang – Raw Coffee Company
Cathleen Kyle Recera – Heirloom Cafe
Cindy Reign Joaquin – The Warehouse Ae
Damilare Samson Alabo – Oatly
Fahrul Rachman – Laura Coffee
Fernan Murillo – Archers Coffee
Gene Carlo Arias – Vibrant Cafe And Roastery
Gerypaul Ramillano – Hayyy Cafw
Hsu Yin Mon Aung – Coffee Architecture
Illia Habibu Abdul – Retro 7 Cafe
Ismail Arinda Ramadhan – Grateful Roastery
Jeffrey Jade Fule – Craftsman
Kerwin Alcoriza – Caffeinection
Khaled Rashed Hassan Bin Zayed – Independent
Kirk Aqaid Moises – Blackout Coffee
Leah – Sabaku
Lorie Jean Juanson – Drowsy Cafe
Maitha Al Ali – Independent
Mark Henry Compendio – Sadu Cafe
Mohammed Rafik – Blackcoin Cafe & Roastery
Muhammad Mustakim – Gerfa Caffe
Muhammad Nadeem – North Cafe
Ricky Mendoza Arquero – Emirati Coffee Co.
Rijeo O Castrodes – Sla Cafe
Shang Delota – Llama Cafe
Singgih Erianta Wibawa – Ororo Experience Green Beans Trading
Sui Ndzemoben Haruna – Limited Roaster
Wendy Gian Indra Yawan – Hygge Cafe
Yacub Dwihartono – Thiago & Co
Yakub Lepcha – Qc Roastery

Ras Al Khaimah

Aldrin Lumaban – Ark Roastery
Arjay Ivan Gesmundo Ubalde – Section Coffee Roaster
Asmita Gaire – Caffeine & Culture
Audie D. Sales Jr. – The Qc Roastery And Academy
Bibek Pandey – Sweven Cafe
Bishal Gurung – Friends Avenue Cafe
Christian Charls Obregon – Glug Coffee House
Deepak Ale – Coterra Coffee Roasters
Dominic John Resurrecion – The Lua Cafe
Faisal Abdulla Almansoori – Independent
Faisal Alawani – E18 Coffee Shop
Felister Mwangi – Drip And Whisk Specialty Coffee
Gervin Dagle – Moonlit Cafe
Gian Parado – Craftsman
Hemraj Bhatta – Wawé Specialty Coffee
Ian Smith Mwassah – Foret Cafe Dubai
James Mark Cularte – Architecture Coffee
Jasem Alsuwaidi – Crew Cafe
Jayson Mendoza Nacpil – Noor Alain
Jeza Mae Magallanes Panangit – Happy Box
Johair H. Rasol – E18 Specialty Coffee
John Patrick Elazegui – Therapie Cafe
Jomarie Licas – Hoof Cafe
Katherine Joy – Glug
Khaiesla Romantico – Splt Cafe
Mazhar Qureshi – Trees Cafe
Muhammad Fadli Bagaskara – Saraya Cafe
Prakash Basnet – 21 Grams
Rajat Thapa – ROR
Sarah Jane Sebastian – Rain Cafe
Semaganda Nicholas – Laura Coffee
Shamma Alsharhan – Doctor Caffeine Specialty Coffee
Sultan Abdullah Alawani – The Perk Cafe
Suraj Jirel – Trio
Win Min Htike – Jebena Coffee Roaster
Zeeshan Haider – Spill the Bean

What’s Next?

All competitors will receive official confirmation via email on October 6, 2025. Confirmed participants must pay the AED 150 nonrefundable registration fee in cash and collect their practice coffees between October 8–10, 2025, at Mokha 1450, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE.

Big thanks to Mokha1450 for organizing and to the DMCC Coffee Centre for hosting this event.

Stay tuned. Tomorrow could truly be your lucky day!

Registration Dates Announced for UAE AeroPress Championship 2025

Posted on by Qahwa World

Dubai, September 10, 2025 (Qahwa World) – The organizers of the UAE AeroPress Championship 2025 have announced the official registration dates for the regional competitions, ahead of the highly anticipated event taking place over three days, from November 6 to 8, at the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) Coffee Centre. The championship is one of the UAE’s most prominent coffee events, bringing together professionals and enthusiasts, and will determine the competitor who will represent the country at the World AeroPress Championship in South Korea.

Registration Dates

🔹 Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain: September 22, 2025, from 9am to 5pm.
🔹 Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah: September 25, 2025, from 9am to 5pm.

According to the updated World AeroPress Championship guidelines, competitors may register in any Emirate of their choice, provided they hold permanent residency in the UAE and a valid Passport or Emirates ID. Applicants must upload a copy of the required documents during online registration. Only one registration per person is allowed, and duplicate submissions will result in automatic disqualification.

Requirements and Conditions

Each Emirate will host a maximum of 36 competitors on a first-come, first-served basis. Successful applicants will receive an official confirmation email no later than October 6, 2025. Confirmed competitors must pay a non-refundable registration fee of AED 150 in cash upon collecting practice coffee between October 8 and 10 at Mokha 1450, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.

Championship Schedule

🔹 November 6–7: Regional rounds across the Emirates.
🔹 November 8: The grand finale featuring the top competitors from each Emirate, where the UAE AeroPress Champion 2025 will be crowned.

Road to the World Stage

The winner crowned in Dubai on November 8 will go on to represent the UAE at the World AeroPress Championship, set to take place in Seoul, South Korea, on December 5–6, 2025.

2024 Recap

The 2024 edition crowned Sonam Sherpa of Kranti Coffee as the UAE Champion, with John Patric Elazegui of Amongstfew in second place and Alfred Samson in third. Organized by Mokha 1450, the event attracted more than 400 participants and spectators. It featured Yemeni coffee sourced from the Talooq Women’s Association in Jabal, Taiz Governorate, under the theme “Breaking Boundaries.” The program also included coffee tastings, AeroPress giveaways, and strong sponsorship support from Slayer, Coffee Desk, TSAK Trading Company, and Coffee Market Innovations.

Registration Links

The organizers confirmed that registration links will be shared on Instagram and on the official website to ensure accessibility for all competitors.

Announcement of the UAE AeroPress Championship 2025

Posted on by Qahwa World

Dubai, September 5, 2025 (Qahwa World) – The organizers of the UAE AeroPress Championship 2025 have announced that the competition will take place over three days, from November 6 to 8, hosted by the Coffee Centre of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), bringing together coffee lovers and professionals from across the Emirates.

In the 2024 edition, Sonam Sherpa of Kranti Coffee claimed the title, while John Patric Elazegui of Amongstfew secured second place, and Alfred Samson took third. Organized by Mokha 1450, the event drew more than 400 participants and spectators from across the UAE.

Last year’s competition featured Yemeni coffee sourced from the Talooq Women’s Association in Jabal, Taiz Governorate, Republic of Yemen, under the theme “Breaking Boundaries,” which reflected innovation and creativity. The event also included coffee tastings and exclusive AeroPress giveaways, supported by sponsors such as Slayer, Coffee Desk, TSAK Trading Company, and Coffee Market Innovations.

2025 Competition Structure

  • November 6–7: Regional rounds across the Emirates.

  • November 8: The grand finale bringing together qualifiers from each Emirate to crown the UAE AeroPress Champion 2025.

Road to the World Championship

The UAE champion crowned on November 8 will represent the country at the World AeroPress Championship, to be held in Seoul, South Korea, on December 5–6, 2025.