AN EVESHAM barista who became cream of the crop after winning a national championship is set to compete for international glory next month.
Joanne Osborne, aged 29, from Cost Coffee’s store in Tesco, Evesham, was crowned the winner of Costa’s UK and Ireland Barista of the Year competition in April. She will now compete for Global Barista of the Year in London on July 2 and 3.
The barista maestro has worked at Costa Coffee for over two years, and fought off hundreds of other coffee makers across the country over three stages to be crowned the winner in the final at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool.
She competed against eleven other finalists across two days of intense competition in April, crafting four high quality coffee drinks, including incorporating a plant-based milk as well as creating two identical flat whites or cortados.
Joanne will soon be competing against seven other top baristas from Costa Coffee stores across the United Kingdom, Europe, Middle East, North Africa, China, India and Japan for international bragging rights.
Challenges for the international final will include ‘The Canvas’ where finalists are required to make identical drinks, as well as ‘The Special’ where each of the baristas will craft and present their own innovative hot and iced coffee.
Following her national win in April, Joanne spoke of her excitement towards competing in the national challenge.
“This competition has been an incredible experience. “I’m looking forward to taking part in the global competition in July,” Joanne added.
The international competition is celebrating its 15th year in 2024.
