First-ever Starbucks Global Barista Championship to take place this June
Narrowed down from over 84,000 baristas, 12 baristas from around the world will showcase their coffee passion, expertise and craft for the first time in company history this June in Las Vegas.
In celebration of our baristas who embody our commitment to community, connection and craft, Starbucks is hosting its inaugural Starbucks Global Barista Championship June 9-11 in Las Vegas.
Over the three-day competition, 12 baristas from around the world will showcase their coffee passion, expertise and craft through a variety of skills and knowledge-based competitions. The event will take place during the Starbucks Leadership Experience conference with more than 14,000 partners (employees) from the United States and Canada in attendance to watch the first-ever Starbucks Global Barista Champion be crowned.
Event Overview
All 12 baristas will compete on June 9 and 10 in the semi-finals and four finalists will then move on to compete on June 11 in the finals.
The competition will focus on three key pillars:
Starbucks Global Barista Championship judges are made up of Starbucks leaders, Starbucks Coffee Masters and partners (employees) who work on the coffee quality and development teams.
Meet the Baristas
The Starbucks Global Barista Championship is the culmination of more than 84,000 baristas competing around the world for over a year.
Competing this year are the 2024 Barista Champions from China, Japan, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America & the Caribbean, as well as the six Barista Champions from each of the Starbucks Reserve® Roasteries (Shanghai, Tokyo, Milan, New York, Chicago and Seattle).
Representing EMEA on the world’s stage is Sumayyah and Ivan, who have spent months diligently prepping for this big moment.
6 Core Barista Champions
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Adrian
Representing: North America
“I attended Origin Experience and the most impactful thing I learned was the hard work and dedication that it takes to make coffee.”
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Sumayyah
Representing: Europe, Middle East and Africa
“Being a partner makes me proud and I recognize the role I have to bring happiness to those around me, through coffee.”
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Sebastian
Representing: Latin America & the Caribbean
“Coffee is more than a drink: it is art, it is community and it is a way to leave a mark on the world.”
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Charlie
Representing: China
“It’s about more than coffee, it’s also about supporting and connecting people behind the coffee.”
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Nobuki
Representing: Japan
“Being able to serve a cup of tasty coffee, cooperate with partners and connect with customers…I love all of these moments.”
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George
Representing: Asia Pacific
“Together, we have the power to create a lasting impact — not only on coffee, but also on people and the planet.”
6 Reserve Barista Champions
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Ivan
Representing: Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Milan
“I’m so excited for the Global Barista Championships because IT’S GLOBAL! We’ve never done it before!”
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Victor
Representing: Starbucks Reserve® Roastery New York
“Being a partner means creating impactful moments in our customers’ lives, being able to connect and interact with people from across the world.”
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Cali
Representing: Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Chicago
“’Back to Starbucks’ means making the space for both the customer and myself to appreciate the craft of our coffee.”
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Chico
Representing: Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Shanghai
“’Back to Starbucks’ isn’t just a slogan; it’s a daily commitment, a focus on our fundamental responsibility to serve every customer.”
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David
Representing: Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Seattle
“Being a partner means creating meaningful connections with partners and customers through a passion for coffee and craft”.
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Takahiro
Representing: Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo
“Being a partner has been a journey of growth for me. I get to make friends, make a difference and hopefully make someone’s day.”
Meet our EMEA champions
Both Sumayyah and Ivan fought hard to earn their place in this global finale, delivering incredible performances in last year’s EMEA Barista Championships, as they competed against thousands of other hopefuls. From perfect pours to persuasive beverage pitches, the partners impressed the judges not only with their dazzling technical skills and knowledge, but also the warmth and authenticity that has won the hearts of Starbucks customers in store.
Known for her infectious enthusiasm and breathtaking latte art, Sumayyah has been a barista with Starbucks since she was just 16 years old. For years she was a Starbucks regular, where she enjoyed studying and catching up with friends over coffee. One of our baristas spotted her potential and introduced her to the store manager – just one interview later, Sumayyah had already donned the Green Apron. Her go-to coffee order is the Iced Espresso – a true Starbucks classic, made with our signature Espresso Roast, boasting notes of rich molasses and a bold, caramelly sweetness.
Meanwhile, Ivan has been with Starbucks since 2018, starting out in the Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Milan. With a background in mixology, he quickly found his stride masterfully crafting Starbucks coffees. Given his past experience, it should come as no surprise that his favourite coffee is the uniquely mellow Starbucks Reserve’s barrel-aged coffee. It’s a collaboration with Knob Creek distillery in Kentucky, where coffee is brewed from the finest Guatemalan beans that have been aged inside bourbon whiskey barrels to soak up the fruity aroma of the oak. From joining the opening of the iconic new flagship store in the Eternal City, to showing off his skills in Las Vegas – Ivan’s had a pretty adventurous career at Starbucks.
Find the latest updates HERE!
In June, visit this page throughout the competition for daily highlights and key takeaways. The entire competition will be livestreamed via the Starbucks YouTube channel and on this page.
Event highlights will be available on both Starbucks YouTube channel and About Starbucks after the winner is announced.
For more than a decade, Starbucks partners around the world have been competing in regional competitions around the world. This is the first year Starbucks is hosting a global championship, celebrating what our baristas do every day—from building community and working together to creating connections with customers, to crafting high-quality coffee.
As part of Starbucks promise to ensure the future of coffee for all, the company is committed to deepening our partners knowledge and passion for coffee. Learn more about our Coffee Master and Origin Experience programming.
