On December 10th, the 3rd Taf Barista Challenge came to an end.

Many coffee lovers gathered at Cultivos Coffee (Skoufa 66, Athens) for a celebratory evening organized by taf, with lots of vibing music, fun conversations, and witnessing first-hand the 16 competitors’ extraordinary skills while feeling the suspense building during each round leading towards the finals.

The competitors were challenged in three different preparations: a tasting challenge with a hand-brew prepared with Creativa Static Geisha Panama from the Taloumis Family Limited Reserve series, a technical challenge with an espresso, and a creative challenge with a flat white, where the judges chose the best latte art, both prepared with Sumava Ariston 0303 – Costa Rica from the Single Estate series.

Three special prizes were allocated for the first three winners. The competitor who reached 1st place would win a Goat Story Arco Coffee Grinder and a 160€ cash prize; the 2nd place would win a Comandante C40 Grinder Nitro Blade; and the 3rd place would win a Taloumis Family Limited Reserve filter kit and participation in the SCA Barista Skills: Foundation Level seminar.

Congratulations to the three winners of the 3rd Taf Barista Challenge: Byron Coukas, who won 1st place, Elena Tourtoulli, who won 2nd place, and Giannis Zoras, who won 3rd place, as well as to all the competitors who accepted the challenge and gave us truly their best cup.

Our special gratitude goes to our team of judges, Nikos Mpellis, Athanasia Kalampaliki, and Grigoria Katsikarou, along with technical judge Giannis Giannakopoulos, and to the incredible commentator Michalis Karagiannis and DJ Evi Sidiropoulou, who kept the spectators and the competitors’ enthusiastic mood strong throughout the evening.

In the end, the 3rd Taf Barista Challenge was completed with a lively party to celebrate this memorable night. Until the next one!