Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/491365
14 STiR tea & coffee industry international NEWS Hidenori Izaki New World Barista Champion RIMINI, ITALY - A record number of companies exhibited and more than 8,000 visitors attended the June SCAE World of Coffee in the coastal city of Rimini, Italy. Cosimo Libardo was named new SCAE president. The Specialty Coffee Association of Europe's exhibition was also host to a total of 54 National Barista champions, 27 National Brewer's Cup champions and 9 World Coffee Roasting champions. Most were there, of course, to compete in the 15th World Barista Championship, 4th World Brewers Cup and 2nd World Coffee Roasting Championship. During the three days of competition, the events were live-streamed online and attracted more than 57,000 unique viewers. Hidenori Izaki from Japan was named World Champion after a fiercely contested final day. This win represents two firsts for an Asian competitor on the global competition stage: it was the first time a Japanese competitor was awarded World Barista Champion and the first time an Asian competitor took the top spot. Yu-Chuan Jacky from Taiwan was crowned this year's winner in the World Coffee Roasting Championship. SCAE Champions Winners of 15th World Barista Championship in Remini, Italy. Stefanos Domatiotis from Greece earned the top ranking in the World Brewers Cup Championship, participating with a unique microlot washed geisha coffee from the producer Ninety Plus. This coffee was roasted with craftmanship by Taf Coffee's roast master. For more recaps on this year's SCAE, visit: scae.com World Barista Champion Hidenori Izaki, Japan World Brewers Cup Champion Stefanos Domatiotis, Taf Coffee, Greece Winners of the 2nd World Coffee Roasting Championship World Roasting Cup Champion Yu-Chuan Jacky, Taiwan Photos courtesy World Coffee Events