SINGAPORE – Emerson Nascimento from Latin America was declared World Champion at the Global Finals of the inaugural DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship 2024, in a challenging three-stage competition that included participants from the Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
Thailand’s Chatuphon Jannongva secured second place, while Japan’s Masanori Fujikura finished third in the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship 2024.
These finalists were among 15 competitors showcasing their skills in practical tests, latte art, and signature coffee presentations for the prestigious title.
The winners collectively received US$ 6,000 in cash, trophies, and hampers, with the World Champion also awarded a fully sponsored coffee experience trip to South Korea.
Launched in August 2024, the competition has recognized 15 champion baristas from 30 participating countries, having narrowed the field from over 780 online submissions globally.
Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager of Foodservice Brands at Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, expressed her admiration for the event, stating that DaVinci Gourmet’s aim was to unite coffee crafters worldwide.
Dubuisson emphasized that the connections made during the competition and the strengthened sense of community truly embody the ethos of “United Through Coffee.”
The DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship 2024, organized under the theme “United Through Coffee,” is an initiative of DaVinci Gourmet, a prominent beverage solutions brand under Kerry, a global provider of taste and nutrition solutions.
Unlike traditional contests that emphasize classic brewing methods, this inaugural event offers a unique platform for the global coffee community to showcase artistry, talent, and craftsmanship while fostering connections.
The competition consisted of three stages, culminating in the global finals, which featured a Winners’ Showcase on October 23, 2024, followed by the finals on October 24, 2024, held alongside FHA HoReCa 2024 in Singapore.
During the Winners’ Showcase, finalists presented signature beverages at a specially designed Kerry stand, demonstrating their creativity and skill in flavor pairings.
In the finals, each barista had 10 minutes to calibrate their equipment, followed by 15 minutes to create three distinct beverages: a hot coffee-based drink with latte art, a cold black coffee-based drink, and a cold white coffee-based drink.
After crafting their beverages, they had four minutes to present their creations to the judges. The finalists were then evaluated based on their practical skills, latte art, and signature coffee presentations, contributing to an exciting and engaging event in the coffee world.
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