Over three exciting days, baristas from across North India will compete in the preliminary stages of two of the country’s most prestigious national coffee championships: the National Barista Championship, featuring espresso mastery, latte artistry, and signature beverage presentations; and the National Brewers’ Cup, a showcase of precision, manual brewing techniques, and sensory excellence.

Scores from the Delhi prelims, combined with those from Mumbai and Bengaluru, will determine the final roster of contenders advancing to the National Finals in Bangalore. The champions crowned there will go on to represent India on the global stage at leading international coffee championships, contributing to India’s fast-rising reputation in the world of speciality coffee.

Beyond the competitive arena, Delhi’s prelims promise a vibrant celebration of coffee culture. Visitors can expect tasting counters, interactive brewing demos, equipment showcases, and an opportunity to engage with roasters, cafés, producers, and coffee enthusiasts who are shaping India’s modern coffee movement.

Venue: Nexus Select Citywalk, Delhi
Dates: 5th – 7th December 2025

Whether you’re sharpening your brewing craft, cheering on your favourite baristas, or simply exploring the world of speciality coffee, Delhi is set to host a brew battle you won’t want to miss.

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With shared values rooted in education, mentorship, and community, DIAGEO North America and Tales of the Cocktail Foundation will shape the evolution of World Class U.S. to become a year-round program that empowers bartenders through professional development, connection and long-term growth. Together, both DIAGEO and Tales of the Cocktail Foundation hope to elevate the entire U.S. hospitality community for years to come.

“We’re thrilled to partner with DIAGEO to continue growing the World Class U.S. program and welcoming bartenders of all backgrounds and experience into this expanded platform,” said Taylor Barron, Director of Partnerships at Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. “Tales has always been driven by the mission to educate and support the bar community. Working with DIAGEO North America will allow us to amplify that impact, offering American bartenders even more opportunities for growth, connection and recognition on both a national and global scale.”

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Presents World Class Sponsored by DIAGEO will reimagine that renowned program to more boldly champion education, mentorship, community and innovation in the world of hospitality. This next chapter of World Class will introduce more ways for bartenders to connect and grow, from one-on-one mentorship opportunities linking participants with local leaders across the joint communities to expanded ways to participate as judges, mentors, coaches or trainees throughout the year, and even workshops in local markets that are designed to inspire and build community among current and aspiring competitors.

“We are proud to continue our legacy of supporting the trade and are thrilled to be sponsoring the Tales of Cocktail Foundation’s World Class U.S. competition,” said Erin Creighton, Director of Marketing for On-Premise at DIAGEO. “Our mission is to support and champion those behind the bar, creating opportunities to connect the best talent and training in the country to uplift the hospitality community to new heights.”

Starting November 12, 2025, applications will open for the 2026 competition cycle for bartenders of all levels and backgrounds nationwide at www.worldclassus.com. Participants will compete for the title of 2026 U.S. Bartender of the Year and the opportunity to represent the United States at the 2026 World Class Global Finals in Dubai.

As part of the new partnership with Tales of the Cocktail Foundation – and reinforcing the joint mission to elevate and mentor bartending talent – each of the Top 15 finalists will also attend Tales Of The Cocktail 2026. This exclusive opportunity includes a weeklong VIP pass unlocking immersive tastings, expert-led education and curated networking with some of the most influential voices and talent shaping cocktail culture today.

Key dates for the 2026 competition are as follows:

• November 12, 2025: Applications open
• January 12, 2026: Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. PST to be considered for the 2026 Tales Of The Cocktail Foundation Presents World Class Sponsored By DIAGEO
• Early March 2026: Top 100 Announced
• Mid March 2026: Top 15 National Finalists Announced
• Spring 2026: National Finals to crown the 2026 US Bartender of the Year
• Summer 2026: The 2026 World Class Cocktail Festival and Global Finals will take place in Dubai

Full details on application guidelines and program updates are available at www.worldclassus.com.

You can also stay up to date by following @WorldClassUS on Instagram or @WorldClassUnitedStates on Facebook.

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Marus is one coffee shop around 100 square meters, one coffee roastery around 2000 square meters, and a training center around 350 square meters. They do a lot different trainings in our place, as his founder says himself.

What is the specialty coffee market like in China? Are the younger generations showing more interest?

Can a business that focuses solely on specialty (rather than food and trendy milk-based recipes) survive economically in this country, which is typically associated with tea?

“Over the past decade, China’s coffee market has entered a phase of extremely rapid development. Chinese consumers have gradually shifted from bubble tea to coffee: more and more consumers have become genuine coffee drinkers, and a growing number of people are willing to try both commercial coffee and specialty coffee.

This trend is particularly evident among the two younger generations – the post-90s and post-00s. Thanks to China’s traditional tea culture, coffee beverages have been able to integrate into people’s daily lives more quickly.”

What are the establishments that serve specialty coffee like?

Do they have common characteristics or do they try to differentiate themselves from the coffee chain model?

“Currently, there are a wide variety of independent specialty coffee brands and chain brands in different cities across China. However, there are significant differences between them: independent coffee brands tend to offer more high-end and unique coffee beverages, often at very high prices.

Meanwhile, coffee chains face fierce competition across different price ranges — commercial coffee chains focus on cost-effectiveness and market penetration, while specialty coffee chains are more dedicated to brand building and the creation of “third spaces”. For instance, Blue Bottle Coffee also faces extremely intense competition in China.”

What is the biggest challenge for a business that focuses on specialty coffee? How is it possible to cover the costs of a premium product while remaining profitable?

“For specialty coffee enterprises in China, they are confronted with fierce and intense competition, as well as the challenge of how to cater to the diverse needs of consumer groups. Meanwhile, overall costs have been on the rise year by year — the cost of green coffee beans, in particular, keeps increasing.

In my view, the core issue still lies in how to build brand awareness and expand sales channels. Fortunately, social media in China is now highly developed, enabling these enterprises to acquire more customers through online channels.”

In your experience in Marus Coffee, what strategies can be implemented to maintain the quality of the coffee offered while remaining competitive on price?

“First and foremost, it is essential to ensure the quality and stability of green coffee beans. Even if costs increase as a result, enterprises can enhance their operational capabilities through better management and reasonably cut down on costs. They should also strive to acquire more customers to share the burden of production costs.”

Is there still room for growth or is it a niche market destined to remain so and become saturated?

“I believe that coffee and specialty coffee in China are still in their infancy, which means there will be greater market demand in the future. Yet it will also face even more intense market competition. Based on the current situation, China will develop diverse coffee-drinking habits over the next 10 to 20 years, and similarly, different brands will focus on different types of coffee products.”

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This year, the prestigious “Best of the Best” accolade was awarded to Rwanda, specifically the Ngamba Coffee Washing Station – Sucafina S.A., represented by Emmanuel Akiba, for the outstanding quality and sustainability of its coffee, perfectly embodying the flavor characteristics illycaffè seeks from various origins.

For the first time, the “Coffee Lovers Choice” award – given directly by consumers – was claimed by El Salvador, with Finca Villa Mercedes of Agroindustrial Yaya, represented by Juan Hosè Herrera, further confirming the growing international appreciation for its unique and distinctive coffees.

“The Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award is a benchmark for promoting quality, transparency, and sustainability in coffee production,” explains Andrea Illy, Chairman of illycaffè.

“The recognition granted to the winners has a significant impact on local communities, providing global visibility to producers and encouraging the adoption of environmentally and socially responsible agricultural practices. In a sector where quality arises from passion, tradition, and innovation, the award remains a fundamental tool for supporting the growth and competitiveness of producers in international markets.”

The technical jury for the 2025 edition, made up of internationally renowned experts – technicians Carolina Castañeda, Matilde Maria Montero and Philip Schluter, illy Chef Ambassadors Francesco Apreda, Caterina Ceraudo and Matteo Metullio, journalists Luis Manuel Blasco Alis, Pierre de Gasquet and Adriano Sack – selected the Best of the Best, evaluating the competing samples according to strict criteria of quality, aroma, and sustainability.

A new addition this year was the consumer jury, which gathered for the first time in the ITA Airways lounges in Rome, where illycaffè is a partner, to present the Coffee Lover’s Choice award. For the occasion, the airline lounge was transformed into a venue for tasting and sharing, demonstrating the shared commitment to promoting Italian and global excellence.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from the global coffee supply chain and figures from institutional circles. Guest of honor was the renowned director and maestro Francis Ford Coppola, who mingled with well-known personalities from the entertainment industry such as Claudia Gerini and Alessandro Borghi.

The tenth edition of the International Coffee Award, which concluded at Palazzo Colonna, was rich in meaningful moments for the 27 finalists of 2025.

The event opened with participation in an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican and was further enhanced by a meeting at the FAO headquarters, where leading international experts tackled subjects such as regenerative agriculture and artificial intelligence, considered strategic levers for addressing the systemic crisis the coffee sector is facing.

These engagements provided a valuable opportunity for dialogue and exchange among key players in the supply chain, strengthening the link between production excellence, innovation, and social responsibility.

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A deep fusion of Shanghai-style charm and coffee culture

From the nostalgic memories of the old cafes along the Bund a century ago to the various coffee shops now lining the streets, coffee has become an essential symbol of Shanghai-style living. The PCA event’s choice of Shanghai as a host city was driven by the city’s unique characteristic of “coffee and life coexisting in harmony”—the aroma of coffee seamlessly permeated both inside and outside the venue, reflecting the sophistication and relaxation of Shanghai-style life.

Three competitions in three days, showcasing professional coffee skills

Over the three-day event, the brewing competition, tasting competition, and latte art competition took place in succession, each delivering spectacular performances. These events fully embodied PCA’s principles of “just, fair and open” while comprehensively testing the participants’ professional expertise.

Castle takes the stage, creating an immersive experience

Castle, with its unconventional classical design, is tailored for specialty coffee shops. Its built-in smart extraction system finely controls grinding precision through subtle adjustments of the blade rotation, ensuring consistent flavor in every cup of coffee.

The next-generation milk frothing heating method allows for the one-touch production of various types of dry foam, balancing quality and efficiency to perfectly meet the needs of cafes, restaurants, and other commercial settings.

With a large-capacity 30g brewing unit, it effortlessly prepares two cups at the touch of a button. The three-bean hopper allows for flexible combinations and simultaneous grinding, enabling unique flavor blends. The smart steam wand, which automatically froths milk, sparked extensive inquiries and in-depth discussions among industry professionals on site.

With the conclusion of the Shanghai division, the winning participants will advance to the finals. Dr.Coffee will continue to uphold its professional spirit, empowering the coffee industry with high-quality products and services, bringing professional and delicious coffee to the streets of more cities and integrating it into the lives of more people.

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The annual The Edge Billion Dollar Club Awards, organised by The Edge Singapore, celebrates the most outstanding and valuable companies listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”). The awards recognise top-performing companies that demonstrate exceptional financial strength, sustainable growth, and long-term value creation for stakeholders.

Known for its flagship MacCoffee brand of instant coffee mixes, Food Empire distinguished itself this year with a clean sweep across all key performance categories in its industry classification under the Centurion Club. The Group clinched three major performance awards — “3-Y Annualised Returns”, “3-Y Annualised Net Profit Growth”, and “3-Y Weighted Return on Equity” — emerging as the overall sector winner in the Consumer Defensive industry classification.

This remarkable achievement cemented Food Empire’s position as the undisputed overall sector winner in the Consumer Defensive industry classification and a standout performer on the SGX-ST.

Food Empire’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sudeep Nair, said: “We are immensely proud to be crowned ‘Company of the Year’ – a landmark first for Food Empire that places us at the pinnacle of Singapore’s listed companies. This historic win is a powerful validation of our strategic vision and our team’s exceptional execution across global markets. With our financial performance on track for a fifth consecutive record year in FY2025, these awards are a strong affirmation of Food Empire’s proven business model and strategic approach, as well as our disciplined execution in brand building and market penetration. Our geographic diversification and proven resilience have positioned us for this success, and we are confident this momentum will propel us to even greater heights.”

About Food Empire Holdings Limited (Bloomberg Code: FEH:SP)

SGX Mainboard-listed Food Empire Holdings (“Food Empire” or together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) is a multinational food and beverage manufacturing and distribution group headquartered in Singapore. With a portfolio spanning instant beverages, snack foods, and a growing presence in food ingredients, Food Empire’s products are sold in over 60 countries across North Asia, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Middle East, and North America.

Supported by 9 manufacturing facilities in 6 countries and 23 offices worldwide, Food Empire offers an enticing range of branded beverages and snacks, including classic and flavoured coffee mixes and cappuccinos, chocolate drinks, flavoured fruity teas, bubble tea, instant cereal blends, and potato chips. Its food ingredients business features the finest spray-dried and freeze-dried soluble coffee, as well as non- dairy creamer.

Food Empire owns a family of proprietary brands – including MacCoffee, CaféPHỐ, Petrovskaya Sloboda, Klassno, Hillway, and Kracks. MacCoffee – the Group’s flagship brand – has been consistently ranked as the leading 3-in-1 instant coffee brand in the Group’s core markets. The Group employs innovative brand-building activities, localised to match the flavour of the local markets in which its products are sold.

Since its public listing in 2000, Food Empire has won numerous accolades and awards including being recognised as one of the “Most Valuable Singapore Brands” by IE Singapore (now known as Enterprise Singapore), while MacCoffee has been ranked as one of “The Strongest Singapore Brands” and CaféPHỐ received “Top Brand” Award by Influential Brands.

orbes Magazine has thrice named Food Empire as one of the “Best Under a Billion” companies in Asia and the company has also been awarded as one of Asia’s “Top Brands” by Influential Brands. In June 2025, Food Empire was named in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 list, joining the ranks of the region’s largest 500 companies by revenue.

In recognition of its commitment to sustainability, Food Empire received the Sustainability Award at the 20th Securities Investors Association (Singapore) Investors’ Choice Awards 2019. For business excellence, the Group was named Winner of The Enterprise Award at the Singapore Business Awards 2020/2021.

For more information click here. 

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For the first time, a Brazilian producer was elected as Legends of Excellence, an elite designation awarded to coffee producers who have consistently demonstrated exceptional quality, earning multiple Cup of Excellence wins over the years. Selected from six countries by the Alliance for Cofee Excellence and CoE,, these producers represent the pinnacle of craftsmanship, innovation, and dedication.

Luiz Paulo Dias Pereira Filho, from CarmoCoffes Farm, was 23 times winner.”I want to thank everyone. This is 25 years of journey, with many people alongside me, especially my wife who has supported me through more than 200 days a year away from home, my business partner, my family, and the entire BSCA team that has supported me since I started in 2000 at age 20. This trophy may be coming home with me, but it belongs to Brazil, it shows our country’s potential. Being among the six global legends, this trophy is ours.”

For the Experimental category, Fazenda Rio Verde’s winning coffee, of the Geisha variety, was recognized for its floral and fruity aromas, bright acidity, delicate body, and high level of complexity.

For the Natural category, Fazenda Araçu stood out for its Arara variety, featuring sensory profiles with sweet notes such as honey, raw sugar, molasses, yellow fruits, a creamy body, and acidity. And for the Wet Process category, Fazenda Água Limpa outperformed its competitors thanks to its Arara variety, featuring a sweet, balanced, and elegant profile with soft floral aromas and intense natural sweetness, medium to high citric and malic acidity that is very clean and well integrated, and a creamy, silky body with medium structure

Vinicius Estrela, Executive Director of the BSCA, added: “The true star of the Cup of Excellence is the Brazilian producer, who projects the origin of Brazil and expands the image of specialty coffee of exceptional quality, increasingly aligned with sustainability, diversity, stories, new sensory profiles, and varieties developed through research.

This combination continues to elevate Brazilian specialty coffee at global cupping tables.

The CoE Winners

The autorities perception

The online auction

Brazil. The Coffee Nation

About ApexBrasil

About BSCA

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Green – Danilo Esposito
️ Red – Matias Faundez
Black – Miran Rasiti
Gold – Andrea Tianyu Wang

Every cup tells a story, and every competition leaves its mark.
Today, we watched latte art become legend.

A heartfelt thank you to all participants, partners, and everyone who believes every day in the Latte Art Grading System.
A special thanks to our amazing judges, whose knowledge and passion make this championship truly exceptional:

Francesco Malasa
Abdelaziz Qaissouni
Michele Hu
Diego Campos Vigo
Adrian Fernandez
Marko Podbrežnički
Giuseppe Musiu
Nicola Manzo
Matija Matijaško
Your professionalism, precision, and dedication embody the true spirit of WLAGS.

Next Stop: WLAGS 2026 – Gijón, Asturias 

The journey continues!
Get ready to bring your creativity, technique, and passion to Gijón, Asturias (Spain), where the World Latte Art Grading Championship 2026 will take place.
A new arena, new challenges, new champions.

This is WLAGS 2025.
This is the next level.

#WLAGS2025 #LatteArtGradingSystem #LatteArt #CoffeeChampionship #BaristaLife #WorldFinals #MakeCoffeeArt

Official Coffee Partner: @mokitocoffee

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The theme for the ninth edition – “A Celebration of Qahwa Qulture in the Emirates” – pays tribute to the UAE’s evolving identity as both a global trading nation and a centre of cultural hospitality, where traditional Arabic Qahwa and third-wave coffee coexist in one of the most dynamic markets in the world.

The three-day championship by Mokha1450 Coffee, a Dubai-based luxury specialty coffee brand, will be held in conjunction with the World Aeropress Championships. The UAE Aeropress Championship is the largest coffee competition in the region and has become a focal point for its fast-growing specialty coffee scene.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said: “The global coffee industry generates more than USD 200 billion each year, spanning production, trade, culture and consumption, and supports the livelihoods of approximately 25 million farmers. As a longstanding champion of the sector, I have witnessed firsthand the opportunities it creates for producers and consumers alike.

As the industry continues to expand and transform, the UAE AeroPress Championship is not only a celebration of brewing excellence; it is a platform for cultural expression and global connection.

Hosting the championship at DMCC’s Almas Tower, with support from the DMCC Coffee Centre, which processed more than 7,400 metric tonnes of coffee in 2024 and has recently expanded its capacity to provide even greater market access for our members, reflects our continued commitment to advancing the sector and strengthens Dubai’s position as a global hub for coffee heritage, trade and innovation.”

The championship provides participants with the opportunity to enhance and measure their skills against other baristas. It connects a wide range of stakeholders within the coffee community – from coffee farmers, roasters and café owners, to exporters, traders and retailers and spotlights Dubai’s position as a global gateway for the coffee trade.

Garfield Kerr, Chief Executive Officer of Mokha 1450, said: “Dubai and the UAE has become one of the leading specialty coffee markets and coffee destinations in the world, and I do not think this happened by chance.

The long history of coffee in the UAE means that coffee is not just a daily dose of caffeine to get you through the day, but a cultural cornerstone that elevates and adds a sense of measure to a normal day.

Furthermore, coffee is used to imbue importance and ceremony to significant events and social gatherings. Each household has a special recipe for Qahwa or coffee, that is closely guarded, passed down for generations, and is still referenced for the daily preparation of coffee. For this reason, there is always a very strong level of enthusiasm, passion, as well as innovation at the UAE AeroPress Championship. Accordingly, this year’s iteration, will place the cultural significance of Qahwa in the UAE on full display.”

The 2025 UAE AeroPress Championship will feature two Regional Championships followed by a National Final. Region One (Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain) will compete on 6 November, followed by Region Two (Dubai, Ajman and Fujairah) on 7 November. Each Emirate will field 36 competitors, reflecting the depth of brewing talent across the country.

The top three from each will advance to the National Final on 8 November, where 21 finalists will compete for the title and the chance to represent the UAE at the World AeroPress Championship in Seoul, South Korea, on 5–6 December 2025.

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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.’”

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