12/06/2026
We already knew they were amazing baristas but last Friday just proved it!
Stas and Zavier competed in the 2026 Aotearoa Barista Open in Wellington and Stas walked away as runner up and Zavier for making it through to the semi-finals.
The Barista Open is a fast-paced, head-to-head knockout competition. Two baristas compete at a time. One progresses. The rounds are short, clear, and easy to follow.
Each match included
A one-minute introduction where baristas can show personality and connect with the crowd
A three-minute dial-in and setup
A five-minute beverage round serving espresso, dairy milk, and alternative milk
A one-minute clean-down, just like real service
Judging is done side by side, with transparent paddle decisions announced live.
The focus is on taste, presentation, and overall experience rather than lengthy technical scoring sheets
Well done to both Stas and Zavier!