Experts choose the best barista in the region
As part of the three-day Raise the Bar Conference, which will take place from March 26 to 28 in Zagreb’s Lauba, the competition for baristas from Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be held for the first time. The winner will receive a prize in the amount of €2,500 and the opportunity to participate in the Caffe Vergnano World Cup in Italy, as well as the title of the best barista in the region.
Entries to the competition
You can enter the competition until Monday, March 3, 2025 at 11:59 pm by filling out the form available at the link , as well as by submitting up to one to three photos of latte art. All persons with a minimum of two years of work experience as baristas, who have an active working status in the Republic of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Slovenia and speak English, can apply.
Detailed information on applying for the Raise the Bar Competition for baristas can be found in the Terms and Conditions of the Competition
Based on the entries, the expert jury will select up to 10 contestants, who will enter the competition on Wednesday, March 26 in Zagreb’s Lauba.
Competition
The contestants will have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skilss in front of an expert jury, and the assignment will be to prepare two espressos, two cappucinos and two coffee based cocktails. The jury will select the best barista based on technique, taste, presentation, and overall impression
The winner will be selected on the day of the competition, and the award ceremony will take place on Friday 28 March. A detailed rulebook for participation in the Raise the Bar Competition for baristas can be found in the Raise the Bar Barista Competition rulebook.
Expert jury
Tomislav is a Coffee Asset Expert at Coca-Cola HBC Adria and a lecturer at the Raise the Bar Academy. He started his career as a waiter during his studies when he found himself behind an espresso machine thanks to the “force majeure”. After a brief rethinking of his career in the hospitality industry, he decided to attend an education at Cogito Coffee, where his view of coffee changed and the door to a new world opened up.
Karlo is a barista and owner of the Zagreb roastery Four Wheel Coffee Roasters, award winning barista and one of the lecturers on the Raise the Bar Academy.
Radoš is a long-time coffee expert a certified AST Barista Trainer. He is active as a sensory referee at competitions in the region and has the status of barista champion trainer at the World Barista Championship.
Fabio is a barista trainer and a certified Black Coffee Examiner. He is also SCA certified and is one of the international judges at Latte Art Grading System. He is a winner of numerous barista competitions