LONDON, UK – Costa Coffee is thrilled to announce Joanne Osborne from Costa Coffee’s store in Tesco, Evesham, as the winner of the prestigious Barista of the Year competition for the UK and Ireland. Joanne, age 29, has worked at Costa Coffee for over two years, and fought off hundreds of baristas from across the country over three stages to be crowned the winner at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool.
Competing against ten other UK&I finalists across two days of intense competition, the baristas took part in a variety of challenges which put their expertise to the test.
They were tasked with crafting four high quality core coffee drinks, including incorporating a plant-based milk, as well as creating two identical Flat Whites or Cortados. Finally, finalists were tasked with making their own speciality iced drink, using their coffee knowledge and sensory skills to create and deliver an innovative beverage.
Joanne’s commitment to consistently crafting high-quality beverages, and their speciality drink, the ‘Iced Frothy Banoffee’ featuring a homemade caramel and banana sauce, set them apart as an outstanding barista.
Adbin Subedi from Costa Coffee’s Haywards Heath store was runner up, and third place was award to Emily Townsend from Costa Coffee’s store in Gallery Square, Walsall.
Joanne, Costa Coffee barista from Evesham, says: “I’m so excited to be named Costa Coffee’s Barista of the Year for the UK&I. This recognition means the world to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent Evesham and showcase my coffee making skills. This competition has been an incredible experience and I’m looking forward to taking part in the global competition in July.”
Joanne will now be competing for Global Barista of the Year, facing seven exceptionally talented baristas from around the world over a two-day competition on the 2nd and 3rd of July.
This is the seventeenth year that Costa Coffee has run the UK&I Barista of the Year competition. Hosted by TV presenter and comedian, Joel Dommett, for a third year running, the competition is open to all Costa Coffee baristas, the competition provides baristas with an opportunity to showcase their technical skills, knowledge and passion for all things coffee and creativity.
Karolina Kurek, Head Judge of the Barista of the Year UK&I 2024 competition and Coffee Laboratory Manager from Costa Coffee comments: “We are incredibly proud to crown Joanne as Costa Coffee’s UK&I Barista of the Year 2024. Their dedication to their craft, technical and creative skills, attention to detail and unwavering enthusiasm truly impressed our judges. Joanne embodies the passion and spirit of Costa Coffee, and we are delighted to celebrate their achievement.”
