Costa

Barista of the year

The best of the best

We're incredibly proud of our Costa baristas. These guys really know their beans. And this is their chance to prove it.

Costa Barista of the Year 2009

This year's Barista of the Year competition involved baristas from over 1,000 Costa stores around the world. They were judged on technical skill, presentation, personality and passion for coffee. The four ingredients, we believe, that go into a perfect cup.

Six UK finalists, and four finalists from China, India, Europe and the Middle East and North Africa made it through to the Champion of Champions Final where Gabor Kamondi from Dorking, wowed the judges to be crowned as the Barista of the Year for 2009.

Find out more about our coffee expertise.

Winner takes all

Along with the prestigious Costa Champion of Champions title, Gabor won a trip to a coffee-growing region for two; including spending money, a custom-made winner's shirt to proudly wear in store and the all-important Barista of the Year Trophy.

Our finalists are currently battling it out in area heats across the World for the chance to compete in the final at our Roastery in Lambeth, London.

To see what happened at last year's competition, play the film below.

JUDGED TO PERFECTION

Judges for the 2009 competition are as follows:
Gennaro Pelliccia, Costa Roastery Technical Manager
Charles Metcalf, Wine expert and TV presenter
Ian Breminer, MD, Complete Coffee Ltd
Paul Meikle-Janney, MD, Coffee Community Ltd

BARISTA ROLL OF HONOUR

Here's a list of our past winners: