Birmingham and the Midlands is leading the way in coffee makers after the region clinched the best barista in the UK title for the second year in a row. Costa Coffee named Joanne Osborne from its Evesham Tesco store as this year's cream of the crop across the UK and Ireland.
The 29-year-old reinforces the region's coffee-making status, following on from last year's top coffee maker - Birmingham's Samuel Duffy, from Erdington, who works at the chain's Fort Shopping Park coffee shop. Proving that Midlanders well and truly waking up to smell the coffee was another local in third place - Emily Townsend from Costa Coffee’s store in Gallery Square, Walsall.
Worcestershire's Joanne has worked at Costa Coffee for over two years, and fought off hundreds of baristas from across the country over three stages to be crowned the winner. But she particularly impressed judges with her specialty drink.
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Joanne out-brewed 11 other finalists across two days of intense competition. Challenges included crafting four high quality core coffee drinks, including incorporating a plant-based milk and making two identical Flat Whites or Cortados.
Finally, finalists were tasked with making their own speciality iced drink, using their coffee knowledge and sensory skills to create and deliver an innovative beverage. This was when Joanne's flair came to the fore and she produced an Iced Frothy Banoffee.
Her coffee creation featured a homemade caramel and banana sauce that "set her apart as an outstanding barista", said Costa Coffee.
Joanne will now go head to head against the best from around the world for a shot at clinching the Global Barista of the Year title.
Barista Joanne, who lives in Evesham, said: “I’m so excited to be named Costa Coffee’s Barista of the Year for the UK and Ireland. 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 and I’m looking forward to taking part in the global competition in July.”
The UK competition was hosted by ITV Masked Singer presenter and comedian Joel Dommett at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool.
Karolina Kurek, Head Judge and Coffee Laboratory Manager from Costa Coffee, said: “We are incredibly proud to crown Joanne as Costa Coffee’s UK&I Barista of the Year 2024.
"Dedication to their craft, technical and creative skills, attention to detail and unwavering enthusiasm truly impressed our judges.
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"Joanne embodies the passion and spirit of Costa Coffee, and we are delighted to celebrate their achievement.”
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