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MILAN – On the fifth and last day of HostMilano, after four days of intense competition, the 2025 World Barista Championship, finalists hit the stage for final ranking announcements: victory went to Australian champion Jack Simpson ahead of China’s Simon SunLei. Next came Canada’s Ben Put; Jason Loo from Malaysia; Hiroki Ito from Japan; Christopher Sahyoun Hoff, from Denmark.
Every year, over fifty champions from around the world participate, preparing four espressos, four milk-based drinks and four unique signature drinks with extreme care and attention, all in a timed performance lasting fifteen minutes.
On the sidelines of the awards ceremony, we caught up with the new champion
Here is his immediate reaction: “My passion for coffee began when I was eighteen and started working in a small café. It all started with that experience.”
“My passion for coffee began when I was eighteen and started working in a small café. That experience was the catalyst for it all.”
Simpson also revealed some of the background to his preparation for the competition: “I’ve been preparing for this moment for about seven years.
But it’s not just about the competition; it’s a journey of continuous growth with my whole team. We have analysed and continue to analyse every single detail together. Then there are hours and hours of training. It’s been a long journey.”
What coffee did you use o compete in the World Barista Championship?
“For this competition, I mainly used Finca Deborah Jamison Savage’s Aether coffee.”
What about your plans for the future?
The champion has very clear ideas on this and states: “First I’ll rest, and then we’ll see what happens. Winning was wonderful; it’s hard to describe.’”
