Bringing together 15 finalists from over 30 countries under the theme ‘United Through Coffee,’ the competition at FHA HoReCa Singapore includes a Winners’ Showcase (23 October 2024) and Global Finals (24 October 2024) that will culminate in the crowning of the first DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Champion.

Organised by DaVinci Gourmet, a global beverage solutions brand that’s part of taste and nutrition solutions company Kerry, the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship 2024 is a trendsetter in the coffee world with its focus on the sensory experience of coffee. Unlike conventional contests that focus on classic brews, this first-of-its-kind competition provides a unique platform for the global coffee community to showcase artistry, talent, and craftsmanship while building connections. Going beyond traditional brewing skills, this competition emphasises the pairing of flavours while pushing the boundaries of coffee innovation, celebrating the fusion of art and science in coffee craft.

As a trusted partner in the café industry, DaVinci Gourmet understands the deep passion and dedication that baristas bring to their craft. Competitors will be challenged to push the boundaries of flavour, technique, aroma, and presentation as they create coffee-inspired masterpieces that reflect the latest trends and innovations in the industry. Kerry’s taste technologies, integrated into the brand’s coffee syrups and sauces, elevate the coffee-drinking experience. Participants will embark on a sensory journey—taste, aroma, and aesthetics—presenting signature blends that reflect the essence of the unique coffee cultures from the participating countries.

United Through Coffee
The three-stage competition spans Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Under the theme ‘United Through Coffee’, the winning baristas from participating countries will compete at the global finals at FHA HoReCa 2024, Singapore.

The global finals will feature a Winners’ Showcase on 23 October 2024, followed by the finals on 24 October 2024, where one barista will be crowned champion. Up to USD6,000 in cash and other prizes will be awarded to the top three winners, with the champion also receiving a full-sponsored coffee experience trip.
Since its launch in August 2024, this worldwide competition has crowned 15 baristas from 30 participating countries that includes the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Turkey and more. These champions will compete for the prestigious title of DaVinci Gourmet’s Barista Craft Champion 2024, showcasing their expertise through practical tests, latte art, and signature coffee presentations.

“At DaVinci Gourmet, the Barista Craft Championship celebrates coffee as a universal language, uniting baristas from participating countries under the theme ‘United Through Coffee.’ It’s our way of honouring the unique flavours, techniques, and traditions that make coffee such a powerful connector while showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of baristas worldwide.” says Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager, Foodservice Brands, Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa

Participation Reach & Creations
The DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship 2024 saw enthusiastic participation, with over 780 online submissions from around the world. From these, more than 110 competed in national finals. The competition’s reach included Singapore’s 7 finalist contenders, while the Middle East drew an impressive 136 entries, narrowing down to 10 finalists from Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and beyond.

Their creations embody the sensory experience of coffee through the pairing of flavours, beyond just coffee skills, with contest entries such as Mango Sticky Rice that pairs DaVinci Gourmet’s Pandan Sauce and Coconut Syrup with espresso, mango puree and then mixed, steamed and nitro-charged, resulting in an award-winning brew; and Whispers of the Dune, a drink inspired by the Middle Eastern spice trade routes, features DaVinci Gourmet’s Green Apple Campagna, Classic Vanilla Syrup, and Spiced Chai with espresso, finished with a sophisticated garnish of a half-sphere isomalt encasing cardamom and star anise. Another highlight includes Pantai Batu Hitam, a drink inspired by the natural beauty and allure of Kuantan’s coastal attractions. Named after the beach known for its striking black stones against the vibrant blue sea, this visually bold and captivating drink prepared with DaVinci Gourmet’s Black Tea Concentrate, espresso, and ⁠toasted black sesame infused oat milk, reflects the unique character of Pantai Batu Hitam.

Competition Mechanics & Judging Panel
The competition kicked off with national preliminary rounds in August 2024, where participants submitted a digital entry including a detailed recipe, preparation method (video or written), and a photo of their creation using DaVinci Gourmet products. Competitors needed to use at least 10ml of DaVinci Gourmet syrups in their drink, with no more than three products from the brand, and a maximum of eight ingredients, including garnishes and ice. Espresso is the required coffee base across all creations.

Successful entrants then advanced to national finals where they tackled espresso-based challenges judged on technical execution, flavour complexity, and presentation — resulting in 15 winners. The competition culminates in the global finals at FHA HoReCa in Singapore on October 24, 2024, where they will be judged by an esteemed panel including Diego Campos, three times Colombian Barista Champion (2014, 2016,2019) and World Barista Champion 2021; Sara Alali, who brings a wealth of expertise as a sensory judge for the World Barista and World Brewers Cup Championships, and a visual judge for the World Latte Art Championship; Aaron Phua, Malaysia Barista Champion 2019; and Kenda Nguyen, Starbucks Vietnam Barista Champion (2015).

For further details on the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship, take a look at https://apmea.davincigourmet.com/

About DaVinci Gourmet
DaVinci Gourmet has been a leader in the beverage industry for over three decades, offering a wide range of premium syrups, sauces, and beverage ingredients designed to inspire and elevate the artistry of drink creation. With a commitment to quality and innovation, DaVinci Gourmet supports baristas and mixologists in crafting exceptional beverages that delight and surprise.

Find out more by visiting our website https://apmea.davincigourmet.com/

About Kerry Group
Kerry is a world leader in taste and nutrition for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical markets. We innovate with our customers to create great tasting products with improved nutrition and functionality, while ensuring better impact for the planet. Our leading consumer insights, global RD&A team of 1,100+ food scientists and extensive global footprint enable us to solve our customers’ complex challenges with differentiated solutions. At Kerry, we are driven to be our customers’ most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition, and will reach over two billion consumers with sustainable nutrition solutions by 2030.

For more information, visit www.kerry.com.