LATIN AMERICA
THE BARISTA LEAGUE:
GUADALAJARA | 8 MAY
CONGRATULATIONS
to The Barista League: Latin America champions!
Alan & Fernanda from the team Brigada Maillard
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
MEET THE JUDGES
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SOFÍA HERNÁNDEZ
Degas Café
@sofhernandezrSofía Hernández is a barista, roaster, and trainer at Degas Café in Tampico. She placed 4th in the 2023 and 2nd in the 2024 Mexican Brewers Championships and has also contributed to the industry as a Sensory Judge at Café Con Pan 2024, volunteer at the World Coffee Roasting Championship (CPH), and World Brewers Cup (Chicago).
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FABRIZIO SENCIÓN
Cafe Estelar
@fabrizioseedFabrizio Seed is a two-time Mexican Barista Champion and runner-up at the 2012 World Barista Championship. A key figure in Mexico’s specialty coffee scene, he is also the founder of Cafafefest in Guadalajara, a platform celebrating coffee culture and community.
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FRIDA MENDOZA CHÁVEZ
Terra Coffeas México / Melosos Tostadores
@terracoffeasmexicoFrida Mendoza Chávez is a barista, Q Grader, and head roaster with over eleven years in the coffee industry. She’s the founder of Terra Coffeas México, Melosos Tostadores, and Melosos Barra de Especialidad. Focused on advancing Mexican specialty coffee, she works at origin with producers and represents the EmPath Foundation in Mexico, helping connect the global coffee community.
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PEDRO GOMEZ
CULCA
@pedrogomezgdlPedro Gomez is a two-time Mexican Barista Champion with years of experience behind the bar. He now leads a company focused on barista training, consulting, and the distribution of professional coffee equipment, supporting both cafés and coffee enthusiasts across Mexico
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KAT MELHEIM
Coffee People Zine/ Algrano
@roasterkatRoaster, content creator, writer, barista – Kat does it all, she’s also a past champion of The Barista League! She is the founder of Coffee People Zine a publication celebrating the art and voices of the coffee community, and continues to champion connection, expression, and inclusivity within the industry.
MEET THE TEAMS
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JERICALLATES
Naian & Aldo
Naian, founder of Tombo Café, is dedicated to serving high-quality coffee with exceptional service. Aldo, a seasoned competitor in regional and national championships, brings passion—and a love for penguins—to the stage. -
CAFFEINTROVERTS UWU
Paola & Axel
Paola has a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts and a Sommelier Ed.S. Axel also has a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts. They both work at Icarus café -
LOS REGIONALES
Alexis & Diego
Alexis secured 2nd place at Monterrey Aeropress Championship in 2021, and also competed in national and regional barista championships in 2021 and 2024. Diego is the owner of Pan y Circo and placed 5th in the 2024 regional barista championships. -
LAS JUSTINAS
Alicia & Paola
In 2019 Alicia and Paola co-founded Justina Café, the first feminist specialty coffee bar in Mexico City. -
MAPUCCINOS
América & Kaled
América thinks coffee is the perfect excuse to make new friends. Kaled has only ever worked in coffee and it is his greatest source of happiness. -
LOS NEBULOSOS
Jacobo & Jocelyn
Jacobo started working in coffee 8 years ago and has since opened café La Nebulosa with his girlfriend. Jocelyn is a past The Barista League competitor, barista competition organiser, and has opened her own café and coffee roasting house. -
AERO-DINAMIX
Sonia & Michelle
Sonia & Michelle don’t like to brag about themselves! -
BREWQUEROS
Pablo & Andrea
Pablo boasts a long list of accreditations from SCA, The Coffee Sensorium, and more. Andrea founded Sobremesa Coffee & Community with a low budget and lots of passion! -
BRIGADA MAILLARD
Alan & Fernanda
Alan and Fernanda don’t like to brag about themselves! -
VELVET REVOLVERS
Aide & Tania
Aide is a culinary school professor, assistant manager at a craft beer bar, and Master’s student! Tania is passionate about crafting drinks and sees coffee as a way to connect with people.