Tag: UAE coffee events

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.

UAE AeroPress Championship 2025 Kicks Off Tomorrow

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A Celebration of the UAE’s “Qahwa Culture” in an Atmosphere of Challenge and Creativity

Dubai – Qahwa World

The UAE AeroPress Championship 2025 kicks off tomorrow in its ninth edition, bringing together more than 250 competitors from across the Emirates — alongside café owners, coffee experts, and enthusiasts — in a spectacular celebration of coffee culture under the theme “A Celebration of Qahwa Culture in the Emirates.”

Proudly supported by Qahwa World as the official media partner, the three-day event will take place from November 6th to 8th at Almas Tower – Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai. Doors open at 4:30 PM, with competitions beginning at 6:00 PM daily. Admission is free for all coffee lovers across the UAE.

Building on the tremendous success of last year’s championship — recognized as the largest AeroPress competition in the world by number of participants — this year’s edition highlights the harmony between traditional Arabic coffee and modern brewing methods such as the AeroPress, reflecting the UAE’s dynamic and culturally rich coffee landscape.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, said: “The AeroPress Championship serves as a platform that unites excellence in brewing, cultural expression, and global connection. Hosting this event at Almas Tower, supported by the DMCC Coffee Centre — which processed more than 7,400 metric tonnes of coffee in 2024 — reaffirms our ongoing commitment to strengthening Dubai’s position as a global hub for coffee heritage, trade, and innovation.”

Garfield Kerr, CEO of Mokha 1450 and the event’s organizer, added: “The UAE has become one of the world’s leading destinations for specialty coffee, thanks to its long-standing relationship with Arabic qahwa. This championship celebrates that heritage and gives participants the opportunity to showcase their passion, creativity, and brewing artistry.”

Championship Schedule

  • November 6th: Regional Championship 1 – Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain

  • November 7th: Regional Championship 2 – Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah

  • November 8th: National Championship – featuring 21 finalists from across the Emirates

The national champion will go on to represent the UAE at the World AeroPress Championship in Seoul, South Korea, on December 5th and 6th, 2025.

More Than a Competition

Beyond its competitive spirit, the UAE AeroPress Championship is a community celebration, offering coffee tastings, interactive experiences, and AeroPress giveaways, along with opportunities to connect with local roasters and coffee brands — all in a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere that embodies the true spirit of qahwa culture.

Sponsors and Partners

Organizer: Mokha 1450
Host: DMCC Coffee Centre – Almas Tower
Gold Sponsors: Polpanorte, Aiya Matcha, CMI Coffee, Boncafé, Oatly, Lohas Beans
Silver Sponsors: Stree F&B, KGN Coffee, RAW Coffee Company, Coffee Museum, Karam Coffee
Bronze Sponsors: Steens Middle East, Brewing Gadgets, Victoria Arduino
Media Partner: Qahwa World

The UAE AeroPress Championship is more than just a brewing competition — it is a living expression of community, creativity, and the enduring spirit of coffee in the Emirates.

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

Posted on by Qahwa World

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 Opens for the 2025 UAE National Cup Tasters Championship

Posted on by Qahwa World

Abu Dhabi – Qahwa World

The Specialty Coffee Association – UAE Chapter has announced the opening of competitor registration for the 2025 UAE National Cup Tasters Championship, which will take place during Global Food Week in Abu Dhabi from 21 to 23 October 2025.

This championship is one of the most important coffee competitions in the country, giving professionals and enthusiasts the opportunity to showcase their sensory skills in distinguishing coffee flavors and profiles under globally recognized standards.

Registration Requirements for Competitors

Residency in the UAE for at least two years with a valid residence visa.

Individual membership with the Specialty Coffee Association.

Registration fee: AED 1000.

For UAE Nationals:

Copy of passport.

Proof of SCA membership.

For Expats:

Copy of passport.

Copy of residence visa (both old and new, as proof of two years residency).

Proof of SCA membership.

Registration fee for expats: AED 1250.

Community Participation

The association is also inviting the UAE coffee community to take part by:

Volunteering to support the event.

Offering sponsorships.

Registration and Inquiries

Interested competitors must complete the registration form and upload the required documents via the link shared on the official account of the association.

For inquiries: [email protected]