AUSTRIA | Coffee brand Julius Meinl has created a stage for baristas to showcase their best skills, techniques, creativity and passion for coffee.
Every day, baristas around the world prepare more than five million cups of Julius Meinl coffee, shaping the coffee experience for guests in cafés, restaurants and hotels across the globe. To celebrate these professionals and the craft behind every cup, premium coffee brand Julius Meinl hosts the Julius Meinl Barista Cup, an international competition recognising the skill, creativity and passion of hospitality baristas.
From April to July 2026, national competitions will take place across 17 countries: Austria, Bosnia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Italy, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, the UAE, the USA, Serbia, Germany, Slovenia, China and Hungary. National champions will advance to the Grand Finale, hosted in Julius Meinl's home city of Vienna on 4 September 2026.
Baristas working in cafés, restaurants and hotels serving Julius Meinl coffee are invited to apply now. Selected candidates will compete at the national level, demonstrating their skills in front of a panel of expert judges across three categories: Espresso, Cappuccino and Signature Drink.
At the Grand Finale, the top scorer in each category will win an exclusive trip to a coffee country of origin. The experience offers baristas a rare opportunity to engage with coffee culture at origin and deepen their understanding of sustainable cultivation. The Julius Meinl Barista Cup represents an exceptional journey for outstanding baristas to showcase and further develop their skills as part of an international community.
"The inaugural Julius Meinl Barista Cup in 2024 was an incredible moment to celebrate the passion and expertise baristas brought to the competition. Their dedication was truly inspiring. We are thrilled to relaunch the Julius Meinl Barista Cup in 2026, welcoming five additional countries and continuing to champion baristas on a global stage", said Christina Meinl, 5th generation family member.
Baristas will compete using Julius Meinl's Gloriette Gold blend, part of The Originals Bio Fairtrade double-certified range inspired by Vienna's coffeehouse culture. The range is crafted for professionals who value sustainability and premium quality. During the competition, participants will showcase their technical skills, creativity and personal interpretation of the blend.
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