Starbucks proudly offers an extensive apprenticeship program from intermediate to degree level (L2-L6), meaning partners (employees) can progress from a Barista to a Bachelor in areas such as HR, tech, marketing, and finance.

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This year, Starbucks celebrated our 10-year apprenticeship anniversary, which has so far provided fee-free education, up-skilling, and clear career pathways to over 1800 UK partners, with 20% of apprenticeships going on to receive in-work promotions.

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2023, we're proud to introduce you to three of our Starbucks UK partners who have taken up an apprenticeship this year. Meet Tam, Aylin, and Johanna, who give us an insight into their life at the Starbucks UK Support Centre (head office).

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For more information about our apprenticeship programs, please visit: <a href="https://www.starbucksemeacareers.com/en/Apprenticeships" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.starbucksemeacareers.com/en/Apprenticeships</a>

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week with Starbucks UK - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Starbucks Stories EMEA

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week with Starbucks UK

Starbucks proudly offers an extensive apprenticeship program from intermediate to degree level (L2-L6), meaning partners (employees) can progress from a Barista to a Bachelor in areas such as HR, tech, marketing, and finance. This year, Starbucks celebrated our 10-year apprenticeship anniversary, which has so far provided fee-free education, up-skilling, and clear career pathways to over […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2023/celebrating-national-apprenticeship-week-with-starbucks-uk/

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A month after the competition ended, which saw Phuti Mmotla crowned EMEA Barista Champion 2022, our documentary 'One Shot' details all the behind-the-scenes action and preparation for the Barista Championship Grand Final 2022.

From early-stage planning in London to the winner’s announcement in Milan, this mini-documentary captures all the inner workings of the project team to the hard work and determination of our green apron partners.

A true celebration of coffee passion and a stellar victory for a well-deserved champ! We can’t wait to see what’s next for Phuti Mmotla of South Africa.

Behind-The-Scenes at the EMEA Barista Championship 2022 - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Behind-The-Scenes at the EMEA Barista Championship 2022

A month after the competition ended, which saw Phuti Mmotla crowned EMEA Barista Champion 2022, our documentary &#8216;One Shot&#8216; details all the behind-the-scenes action and preparation for the Barista Championship Grand Final 2022. From early-stage planning in London to the winner’s announcement in Milan, this mini-documentary captures all the inner workings of the project team […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/behind-the-scenes-at-the-emea-barista-championship-2022/

As the warm midday heat envelops the roastery&nbsp;on a particularly sunny October day in Milan - Ottobrata, as the Italians call it - Milanese locals and Starbucks partners&nbsp;alike gathered in the city's iconic Roastery for the EMEA Barista Championship Final 2022.

The city that inspired Starbucks, ten finalists from stores all across Europe, the Middle East and Africa have spent the past two days competing in complex coffee challenges to be crowned this year's winner, and just moments ago, Phuti Mmotla was announced the 2022 champion.

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After whittling down the national champions to a final three, Phuti beat out Fiona from UAE and Veronika from Italy for the top spot, surrounded by runners-up Richard McKeever from Ireland, Julius Gradavsky from Austria, Fraser Gold from the UK, Alexandre Fleurentin from France, Victor Nascimento from Spain, Niko Krhkanko from Germany, and Vendy Panchartkova from the Czech Republic.

The best barista in 42 markets, Phuti and his fellow finalists were put through their paces to test their knowledge and ability of all things coffee.

First, a coffee tasting and presentation, taking the judges through their favourite coffee, its tasting notes, origin, and what it means to them.

Next, a latte art throwdown, as each finalist went head to head steaming milk and presenting their own personal milk patterns, which saw Veronika from Italy master the seahorse, and Fiona from the UAE opt for a tulip to show off her trademark design.

Finally, onto the signature beverage round, where each contestant developed their very own, coffee-first Starbucks beverage. Fraser from the UK presented an Autumnal apple and cinnamon Frappuccino, Niko from Germany designed an intriguing mix of fruit and coffee with a perfectly paired Peach Sunset Cold Brew that offered just the right amount of sweetness, while Veronika from Italy introduced a fresh Citrus Cold Brew with lime for a pop of sourness, inspired by the Italian aperitivo.

A dairy-free, iced-forward take on Starbucks popular Cappuccino, Richard developed a beautifully textured Espresso Foam Cold Brew, turning the coffee into a light, airy but flavourful foam, topped on a base of slightly sweet soy milk.

A drink inspired by her Philippines heritage, current home in the UAE and with an Italian twist, Fiona created a cool, but spicy macchiato-based drink. Alex from France used coconut milk, strawberry acai, chai tea and a shot of espresso to create his Sun-Chai, while Victor from Spain made a white mocha-cased strawberry cream coffee using Blonde Roast, combining his favourite roast with his favourite Spanish dessert - fresas con crema.

Vendy's summer lemon cold brew creation was the perfect antidote to the current Ottobrata Romana, Julius from Austria based his own creation on traditional local cuisine, with a luxurious Viennese Iced Coffee, while champion Phuti chose a coconut biscuit cold brew, based on one of his favourite childhood memories.

After each finalist had presented their drinks, it was time for the judges to deliberate, and nominate their top three for 2022: Phuti from South Africa, Fiona from UAE, and Veronika from Italy. Minutes later, Duncan Moir opened the golden envelope to announce Starbucks EMEA's 2022 Barista Champion... South Africa's Phuti Mmotla.

And what better way to celebrate, than with the winning prize - a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Rwanda on Starbucks Origin Experience. Visiting the coffee farms, meeting our producers, learning about sustainability, and discovering how the beans are processed, bringing together those who grow coffee and those who sell, serve it

South Africa sweeps the 2022 Barista Championship title, as Phuti Mmotla takes the trophy - Starbucks Stories EMEA

South Africa sweeps the 2022 Barista Championship title, as Phuti Mmotla takes the trophy

As the warm midday heat envelops the roastery&nbsp;on a particularly sunny October day in Milan &#8211; Ottobrata, as the Italians call it &#8211; Milanese locals and Starbucks partners&nbsp;alike gathered in the city&#8217;s iconic Roastery for the EMEA Barista Championship Final 2022. The city that inspired Starbucks, ten finalists from stores all across Europe, the Middle […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/barista-championships-2022-milan-winner/

Over the past 51 years, Starbucks has been dedicated to coffee leadership and innovation – celebrating great coffee and the human connection that comes with it.

Each year, partners from over 4,000 stores across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) epitomise the Starbucks Experience at the annual EMEA Barista Championships.

Seeking to identify the leading barista talent, partners compete against each other in a months-long span of extensive coffee challenges to be crowned the 2022 Barista Champion. And where better to do so than at the heart of Starbucks coffee journey – the Starbucks® Reserve Roastery in Milan, the city that inspired the iconic Starbucks Experience and Starbucks first store in Italy.

Here, coffee heritage and innovation take centre stage against a backdrop of stunning design and immersive discovery, serving as a place where Italian customers can come to discover the art and science of coffee in a breath-taking environment that is both an homage to the city of Milan and a celebration of everything Starbucks has learned about coffee in its 51-year history.

Before heading to the Roastery for the first day of the finals, the champions took a quick city tour, stopping by the famous torino mosiac for a spin of good luck – legend has it that if you twist around on the spot of the dancing bull mosiac three times, it will bring you good fortune!

Next stop was none other than the Camparino Bar – a historic, authentically Milanese haunt, dripping in belle époque detail and complete with a carved wooden bar – where Howard Schultz had a coffee on the terrace during his first trip to Milan in 1983, and in that moment, had the idea of ​​opening his own coffee bars offering the very same quality and friendliness he had experienced in Italy.

Here, our <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/starbucks-names-its-top-baristas-who-are-heading-to-milan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ten finalists</a> showed the bar's team their impressive coffee craft skills on the espresso machine, before trying their hand at making a classic Campari spritz.

And then it was on to the Roastery itself, a 25,000 square-foot space which offers customers unprecedented visibility to all aspects of the craft and science of Starbucks coffee, as well as acting as a complete innovation centre for developing the coffee beverages of tomorrow.

Each of the finalists names were up in lights, Roastery-style, on the store's stock exchange-inspired clacker board, designed as a reference to the building's previous function when it was used by the Italian Stock Exchange, Borsa Italiana.

The inspiration for the Roastery’s design focuses on the intersection of this heritage and innovation, presenting a fully transparent, 360-degree look into the roasting and manufacturing process, where guests can walk around the entirety of the equipment, from the roaster to the cooling tray, de-gassing chamber and packing line, before seeing the finished beans packaged up for distribution all across Europe.

Expanding Starbucks Third Place even further out of the physical space and into the digital world is an floor-to-ceiling bronze crafted wall, that customers can scan for an interactive, augmented reality experience. Visually representing Starbucks history and its coffee, the wall itself was engraved in brass by local craftsmen, and emphasises the community connection that Starbucks has always created.

For two days, the ten finalists from Spain, Czech Republic, Italy, France, Ireland, South Africa, Austria, Germany, UAE and the UK have been battling it out in the Roastery in a series of different competition rounds. And the wait is almost over...

Behind the scenes at the Milan Roastery for the 2022 Barista Championships - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Behind the scenes at the Milan Roastery for the 2022 Barista Championships

Over the past 51 years, Starbucks has been dedicated to coffee leadership and innovation – celebrating great coffee and the human connection that comes with it. Each year, partners from over 4,000 stores across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) epitomise the Starbucks Experience at the annual EMEA Barista Championships. Seeking to identify the […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/behind-the-scenes-at-the-milan-roastery-for-the-2022-barista-championships/

One year after winning the prestigious title of EMEA Barista Champion, we took a trip to Beirut, Lebanon to catch up with 2021's best barista, Cynthia Khattar.

Cynthia competed virtually as the world navigated the global pandemic and battled it out from Beirut and clinched the golden pitcher and coveted purple apron.

What was Cynthia's life like before, during, and after winning Starbucks biggest ever virtual competition? Let's find out…

Cynthia's Journey: Out of 40,000+ Green Apron partners in EMEA, Cynthia was 2021's number one! - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Cynthia&#8217;s Journey: Out of 40,000+ Green Apron partners in EMEA, Cynthia was 2021&#8217;s number one!

One year after winning the prestigious title of EMEA Barista Champion, we took a trip to Beirut, Lebanon to catch up with 2021&#8217;s best barista, Cynthia Khattar. Cynthia competed virtually as the world navigated the global pandemic and battled it out from Beirut and clinched the golden pitcher and coveted purple apron. What was Cynthia&#8217;s […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/cynthias-journey-barista-champion/

Cynthia’s Journey: Out of 40,000+ Green Apron partners in EMEA, Cynthia was 2021’s number one!

Meet Vendy, The Czech Republic's Top Barista - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Meet Vendy, The Czech Republic&#8217;s Top Barista

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/meet-vendy-the-czech-republics-top-barista/

Meet Vendy, The Czech Republic’s Top Barista

Meet Phuti, South Africa's Barista Champion 2022 - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Meet Phuti, South Africa&#8217;s Barista Champion 2022

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/meet-phuti-south-africas-barista-champion-2022/

Meet Phuti, South Africa’s Barista Champion 2022

Say hello to Veronika, Italy's National Barista Champion - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Say hello to Veronika, Italy&#8217;s National Barista Champion

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/say-hello-to-veronika-italys-national-barista-champion/

Say hello to Veronika, Italy’s National Barista Champion

Meet Fiona, representing the UAE - Starbucks Stories EMEA

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/meet-fiona-representing-the-uae/

Meet Fiona, representing the UAE

Meet Alex, representing France and Luxembourg - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Meet Alex, representing France and Luxembourg

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/meet-alex-representing-france-and-luxembourg/

“Pour your heart into everything you do and don’t be afraid”

This September, four of Starbucks most skilled baristas participated in an all-day competition at the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/make-milan-your-next-stop-this-summer/">Reserve Roastery Milano</a> and showcased their impeccable coffee expertise.

Due to their advanced barista experience, EMEA Roastery partners (employees) compete in their own separate Barista Championship.

During the competition Roastery partners have to tell captivating stories about coffee, demonstrate their precise brewing ability, present innovative signature beverages, and battle it out in a nail-biting latte art throwdown.

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This year, the Milan Roastery Barista Champion accolade goes to Federico – a four-year partner from Rome. We caught up with Federico to hear all about his 2022 experience and what it means to win the prestigious title.

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Federico’s love of coffee began at a young age.

“I fell in love with Starbucks at the age of 12, right after I had my first sip at a store in Barcelona (I still have the paper cup with the old logo at home!). From that moment, my love for the brand grew and I hoped that one day Starbucks would open a store in Italy.”

Years later, Federico’s dream became a reality when Starbucks entered the Italian market in 2018 with the Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milano.

“When I heard that a Roastery was going to open in Milan, I applied, went through the interview process, and I got hired. I packed my bags, said goodbye to my family and friends, and set off to fulfil my dream: to be a partner and to make a difference”.

With his curiosity and immense passion for coffee, Federico was encouraged by his managers and fellow partners to join this year’s Roastery competition. Throughout the competition, he explained that the biggest challenge was creating his signature beverage: Cherry Choco Latte.

As part of the competition, baristas choose their own signature latte art design – their own individual stamp to symbolise who made each cup of coffee. Showcasing his creativity and the botanical roots behind coffee, Federico’s signature Latte Art is a tulip, because it reminds him of a small arabica coffee tree.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for me, if I had to give one piece of advice to my fellow partners: Believe in yourself and be curious about everything because curiosity is what feeds the soul".

Federico De Palma crowned as Roastery Barista Champion 2022 - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Federico De Palma crowned as Roastery Barista Champion 2022

“Pour your heart into everything you do and don’t be afraid” This September, four of Starbucks most skilled baristas participated in an all-day competition at the Reserve Roastery Milano and showcased their impeccable coffee expertise. Due to their advanced barista experience, EMEA Roastery partners (employees) compete in their own separate Barista Championship. During the competition […]

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/17/2022/09/IMG_13set-281.jpg

https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/roastery-barista-champion-2022/

Meet Victor from Spain - Starbucks Stories EMEA

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Behind the Green Apron