EUROPE

THE BARISTA LEAGUE:

PRAGUE | 28 MAR

After our biggest-ever European event last year, we’re thrilled to be returning to Prague, one of the most beautiful and creative cities in Europe.

We’ll be back at the stunning Gabriel Loci, a historic venue often used for fashion shows, film shoots, and art exhibitions, adding a cinematic backdrop to this year’s event yet again.

This year we have an expanded roasters village featuring some of Europe’s top names and a bigger stage for the first ever iteration of our brand new competition format.

With industry leaders, competitors, and coffee lovers joining us from across the continent, this promises to be one of our most international and inspiring gatherings yet.

Location: Gabriel Loci
Date: 28 March 2026
Time: 16:00
Ticket price: Early Bird 290CZK | General Admission 490CZK

GET TICKETS

MEET THE JUDGES & MCs

  • MICHALIS DIMITRAKOPOULOS // JUDGE

    Offbreed Coffee Roasters
    @michalis_dimitrakopoulos

    Barista expert, coffee trainer, and WCE-certified sensory judge. WCIGS champion, WBC runner-up, and ambassador for Storm Barista Attitude and Scotsman Ice Systems.

  • DARA SANTANA // JUDGE

    Dart Caffeine
    @dartcaffeine

    Coffee scientist and educator blending chemistry and coffee with expertise in water quality and sensory skills. Q Grader, CVA, WCC judge, and SCA-certified. Works with Oatly Spain and international coffee brands.

  • CATHERINE QUEIROZ // JUDGE

    Neumann Kaffee Gruppe
    @cathequeiroz

    Quality & Education Manager at Neumann Kaffee Gruppe, Swiss Cup Tasters Champion 2025, and active organizer in the Swiss coffee scene.

  • TOMÁŠ BIELCIK // JUDGE

    Coca - Cola HBC, Bacardí - Martini
    @Tom_Bielcik_Bacardi

    Mixologist with international experience in England, Greece, and Scotland. Bacardí ambassador across Czech and Slovak premium bars. Multiple flair competition accolades, including Bartender of the Year 2023.

  • KRZYSZTOF BLINKIEWICZ // JUDGE

    The Place Katowice
    @Blinkiewicz

    Founder of The Better Coffee and Editor-in-Chief at Red Ink Coffee. Coffee educator, classic Q Arabica grader, and community coordinator shaping the European specialty coffee scene.

  • GRACE TALBOT // MC

    Mió
    @_gajl

    UK-based coffee professional with over a decade of experience in training, judging, and international emceeing. Emceed at the 2025 World Barista Championship and multiple UK festivals.

  • PETR HOLATA // MC

    Cukrárna Alchymista
    @tatrysyn

    Winner of Cup Tasters Grand Prix at Dům Kávy, espresso bar operator, and long-term barista at Cukrárna Alchymista. Active in the Czech coffee scene and passionate about community building.

MEET THE TEAMS

Thank you to our Europe Selection Committee for hand-picking the very best teams to compete in this event! Grace Talbot, Tigger Chaturabul & Simona Keilova.

  • DIRTY MATCHA // PORTUGAL & CZECH REPUBLIC

    Elizaveta Vagabova & Dildar Kerey

    Elizaveta from Unity Coffee Roasters in Cascais, Portugal, is the 2025 Portugal AeroPress Champion and previously won Barista League in Zagreb in 2019.

    Dildar is a coffee professional with more than 10 years experience, who often works as a judge and coach.

  • LĒJĒJI // LATVIA

    Leonid Marchenko & Elīza Andra Krūmiņa

    Leonid is a coffee trainer and Quality Control specialist at Rocket Bean. Specialty coffee fan since age 16 and passionate about competitions and community.

    Elīza is a barista at Rocket Bean and competition newcomer. Excited to explore team competitions and the Barista League community.

  • THE BREWS BROTHERS // UK

    Elizabeth Walker & Harry Thomas

    Elizabeth is a barista at Crosby Coffee. Enjoys connecting with fellow competitors.

    Harry is a Barista at Crosby Coffee and Liverpool Barista of the Year 2024. Passionate about coffee, competitions, and the Barista League community.

  • CAFE 'GARAGE' // LATVIA

    Darja Filipova & Alina Sinkevych

    Darja is a Roastery professional at Kalve Coffee and local competition winner. Loves exploring coffee varieties, collecting skills, and experimenting for fun.

    Alina is a Roastery professional at Kalve Coffee and new Q Arabica Grader. Focused on roasting and education, she’s excited to compete in her first team event.

  • THE STRANGERS FOUNDATION // GERMANY

    Izolda Zogranian & Maximillian Hook

    Izolda is a Barista and cocktail-inspired coffee creator. Third place at Barista League 2025, SCA Cup Tasters competitor, and innovator of signature drinks.

    Maximillian is a Manager of Käthe Kaffee and competition enthusiast. Achieved third place at last year’s Barista League and participated in Brewers Cup and Aeropress Championship 2026.

  • FACH ME LIKE YOU DO // SLOVAKIA

    Nikolas Škultéty & Rastislav “Rasty” Kasár

    Nikolas is a Barista at FACH and first-time competitor at Barista League. Passionate about food, coffee, and literature, with aspirations to open his own café.

    Rastislav is a Senior beverage consultant at FACH, Slovakia, and World Coffee in Good Spirits 2023 champion. Experienced competitor at the Barista League, Coffee Masters, and international coffee events.

THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS!

BECOME A PARTNER

Would you like to partner with us for one (or more!) of our events and put your brand in front of a room full of industry professionals and coffee enthusiasts?

GET IN TOUCH