AN EVESHAM barista has steamed ahead of the competition to win a national championship.
Joanne Osborne, aged 29, from Cost Coffee’s store in Tesco, Evesham, has been crowned the winner of Costa’s UK and Ireland Barista of the Year competition.
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, crafting four high quality coffee drinks, including incorporating a plant-based milk as well as creating two identical flat whites or cortados.
Lastly, competitors were tasked with making their own specialty iced drink, using coffee knowledge and sensory skills to create and deliver an innovative beverage.
Joanne’s speciality drink, the ‘Iced Frothy Banoffee’ featured a homemade caramel and banana sauce.
She said: “I’m so excited to be named winner. This recognition means the world to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent Evesham and showcase my coffee making skills.
“This competition has been an incredible experience.
Joanne will now be competing for Global Barista of the Year, facing seven exceptionally talented baristas from around the world on July 2-3.
“I’m looking forward to taking part in the global competition in July,” Joanne added.
This is the seventh year of the competition. It was hosted by comedian, Joel Dommett for a third year running.
Karolina Kurek, head judge of the competition : “We are incredibly proud to crown Joanne as Barista of the Year 2024.
“Their dedication to their craft, technical and creative skills, attention to detail and unwavering enthusiasm truly impressed our judges.”
