The UAE has claimed top honours at the 2026 International Finals of the Lavazza Barista Challenge in Turin, Italy, after UAE representative Lablibell Bajarias beat 20 national champions from around the world. She impressed judges with her signature coffee creation, Il Bosco (“The Forest”), which combined sustainable ingredients including zero-waste date coffee saccharum, cascara infusion and butter-infused coffee. Bajarias also picked up the competition’s Community Prize, voted for by the global Lavazza network.
Originally from the Philippines, Bajarias has lived in the UAE since 2013 and said the country’s culture of hospitality inspired her winning presentation. She credited the UAE for giving her the opportunity to grow her career and represent the nation on the world stage, adding that she hopes her success encourages others to pursue their ambitions through hard work, passion and perseverance.
