BOGOTÁ, Colombia – Diego Campos, a young man from Tolima, became the first world barista champion from Colombia, within the framework of the HostMilano fair, in Milan, Italy. The three-time national champion, of the company Amor Perfecto, has been a barista for over 13 years and prepared during two months for the global competition once he knew it would finally take place this year, as it could not be held in 2020 because of the covid-19 pandemic.
Diego gained the right to represent Colombia in 2019, in the National Barista Championship, within the framework of Cafés de Colombia Expo, organized by the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC).
“Colombia, this is for you: baristas, coffee growers and the people who get up every day to dream and want to achieve things,” Campos said once the result was announced.
“Diego Campos, world barista champion! What a pride for Colombia. Let no one doubt that Colombia produces the best coffee in the world. Let’s take the opportunity to consume it. Drinking excelso Colombian coffee is a privilege,” said Roberto Vélez, the FNC CEO, when he learned of the news.
Campos also thanked Amor Perfecto, which he calls his “second family”; his mentor, Luis Fernando Vélez, and all of his family and friends.
In the competition, Campos used coffee from Valle del Cauca, produced by Julián Holguín on Las Nubes farm.
The second and third places, from the USA and Australia respectively, also used Colombian coffee, not only confirming its high quality, but also making it visible on world stages before the most demanding audiences.
A barista championship consists of brewing three types of drinks (with milk, espresso-based and designed) in four servings (for a total of 12) in a maximum of 15 minutes.
The world cup taster championship and brewer cup were also held in the Italian fair.
In the first, Carlos Cerquera, from Huila and the current national cup taster champion, ranked sixth among 27 participants, and in the second one, Carlos Eduardo Gómez, from Tolima and national brewer champion, had an outstanding participation.
