Teddy Nzama proudly wore the South African flag around his shoulders on November 15 when he was named the World’s Best Barista at the 2019 Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Barista Championship Finals.
Over the weekend, 30 finalists came together in London for a three-day battle of intense coffee making. Each of the baristas that attended were National Champions in their home markets.
Several skills were tested, as well as baristas’ knowledge of the process, from the cultivating and sourcing of beans, right up to when customers take that first heavenly sip. World renowned judges were appointed to decide between the results of the expertly crafted coffees, leading to the final in which a panel of professionals had to choose the winner over a heart thumping latte-art throw down.
Watch how it unfolded:
Teddy will now be invited to visit the Milan Roastery and to join other Starbucks employees on a trip to coffee farms in Rwanda, where he’ll witness first-hand how coffee is grown and processed and will also meet farmers who produce some of Starbucks’ coffee. He also walks away with a golden milk steaming pitcher, and an extremely rare purple Starbucks apron.
Picture: Facebook/ Starbucks SA