The first-ever Starbucks Global Barista Champion

After three days of intense competition at the Starbucks Global Barista Championship, focusing on craft, quality and connection, and in front of a crowd of more than 14,000 Starbucks partners (employees) in Las Vegas, it was an electrifying moment on stage with Nobuki Shimode representing Japan being crowned the first-ever Starbucks Global Barista Champion! Nobuki delivered a winning performance, showcasing their world-class skills leading coffee tastings, sharing coffee knowledge and stories of connection as well as crafting a signature beverage, the Blooming Yuzu Espresso. 

To deepen the impact in the community of each contestant, The Starbucks Foundation will be awarding a $10,000 grant to a nonprofit organization in each of the 12 contestant’s regions. As the winner of the Starbucks Global Barista Championship, Nobuki will receive the opportunity to experience the six Starbucks Reserve Roasteries around the world (Chicago, Milan, New York City, Seattle, Shanghai and Tokyo). He will also have the unique opportunity to co-create a beverage for Starbucks coffeehouses to be released in the near future. 

For more than a decade, Starbucks partners around the world have been competing in regional competitions. This was the first year for a global championship, celebrating what Starbucks baristas do every day—from building community and working together to creating connections with customers, to crafting high-quality coffee.  

Check out highlights from the final competition here.