"The World Barista Championship (WBC) is the most prestigious international competition on coffee produced annually by World Coffee Events (WCE). The competition aims to promote the excellence of coffee, spotlighting the barista profession, engaging an audience from around the world with an annual event that represents major events around the world at local and regional level.

Every year, representatives of more than 50 samples Nations are required to prepare cappuccinos 4 espressos, 4, and 4 drinks on their signature corresponding to predetermined standards on a platform surrounded by music in a time of 15 minutes.

Certified WCE judges from around the world evaluate each performance based on the taste of the drinks, service, cleaning, creativity, technical skills, and above all in the presentation. The construction of the famous and popular drink in their signature, allows bartenders to express their imagination and the judges ' palates to savor a taste of coffee knowledge within a creation resulting tastes and experiences of every bartender.

The best 12 participants in the first phase, will have access to the semifinal round. The best will advance to semi-final 6 final, from which one will be named "World Barista Champion!"

Results of the World Barista Championship 2014

Champion: Hidenori Izaki, Japan
2° place: Kapo Chiu, Hong Kong
3rd place: Christos Loukakis, Greece
4th place: Craig Simon, Australia
5th place: Maxwell-Column Dashwood, United Kingdom
6th place: William Hernandez, El Salvador

Source: http://www.worldbaristachampionship.org/