DUBAI, UAE – Lavazza recently celebrated the culmination of its second edition of the National Finals of the UAE Barista Challenge. The event, held at the prestigious Grosvenor House, brought together an exceptional array of the UAE’s top baristas, with participants from both Lavazza-affiliated and independent coffee artisans.
The National Finals provided a unique platform for the UAE’s top baristas to showcase their remarkable skills, creativity, and unwavering passion for the art of coffee-making.
The competition challenged baristas to present their unique Barista Signature recipes, a testament to their mastery of the craft and their passion for the art of coffee-making.
A distinguished panel of four judges evaluated every aspect, from organization to taste evaluation, technical skills, performance, and visual creativity
Amar Tamang, this year’s winner of the National Finals, wowed the judges and the audience with their innovative winning recipe, “The Captivate”. The recipe included 4 shots of espresso using Lavazza Colombian 100% Arabica, 45ml of homemade mango syrup, 30ml of 24-hour infused pineapple, 30ml of 72-hour lacto-fermented apple juice, and 100ml of coconut milk.
Amar’s creation utilized ingredients sourced exclusively from his workplace kitchen, thereby repurposing items that would otherwise have been wasted. Amar’s presentation also featured the addition of edible flowers, releasing a lovely floral aroma that captivated the senses.
Amar’s extraordinary mastery of the craft and his creative approach to coffee-making earned him the prestigious title of the top barista in the UAE, along with the opportunity to represent the country in the Lavazza International Finals in 2024.
Lavazza demonstrated its commitment to recognizing and rewarding the outstanding talents of the UAE’s barista community by offering an array of exciting prizes
In addition to the honor of representing the UAE, Amar also receives an all-expenses-covered trip to Turin, Italy, a substantial AED7,000 cash prize, and a state-of-the-art professional coffee machine.
Amar will also partake in the Lavazza Masters Coffee Course at HQ Training Centre, further enhancing his expertise. The top five runners-up also received professional espresso machines, cash prizes ranging from AED1,500 to AED7,000, and professional barista kits, making this competition an exciting and highly rewarding journey for all involved.
The Lavazza Barista Challenge not only recognized Amar Tamang as the winner but also showcased the UAE’s thriving coffee culture and commitment to excellence in coffee-making on a global platform. The event celebrated the spirit of innovation, creativity, and excellence alongside the camaraderie and team spirit of the UAE’s barista community.
