International Coffee & Tea Festival kicks off tomorrow with exciting new ‘WORLD BARISTA CHAMPIONSHIP - ALL STARS' segment

November 11, 2014: The International Coffee & Tea Festival (ICTF), the only dedicated trade event for the coffee and tea industry in the Middle East, opens tomorrow at 11.00am (Wednesday, November 12, 2014) at the Meydan Hotel Gallery in Dubai, bringing back its popular features from last year in addition to a brand new segment titled “WORLD BARISTA CHAMPIONSHIP - ALL STARS”. The ALL STARS will feature amazing coffees made by the World’s Champion Baristas, Brewers and Latte Artists in various entertaining challenges and onstage demonstrations. Aside from opportunities for photographs and autographs, lucky fans will also be able to team up with the World Champions for a fun Pop Quiz Challenge.  

The 6th edition of the Event will also host its regular features including the only National Level Barista, Latte Art and Ibrik Championship, where UAE’s most skilled and professional baristas will battle for the coveted titles of the 6th UAE Barista Champion, 3rd UAE Latte Art Champion and 1st ever UAE Ibrik Champion. Recognized and advocated by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and licensed by World Coffee Events (WCE), the UAE Barista Championship is the only National Level Coffee Competition conducted in the region, and the winner will represent the UAE at the World Barista Championship to be held in Seattle in 2015. 

The International Coffee & Tea Festival 2014 also offers the region’s only SCAA-certified coffee training. The training workshops aim to share a wealth of knowledge, experience and cutting-edge techniques with participating professionals and amateurs to enable them to expertly prepare and serve the best coffees to their guests.

“The International Coffee & Tea Festival, supported by the World Coffee Events and the Specialty Coffee Association of America, which runs from the 12th to 14th November at the Meydan Hotel Gallery, is the only event of its kind in the region. We are certain that the event will not only benefit tea and coffee industry professionals and amateurs but will also contribute towards the growth and development of the region’s beverage industry,” concluded Ryan Godinho, UAE’s National Liaison for World Coffee Events and Special Events Coordinator (Training & Championships) with the International Coffee & Tea Festival.