My love letter for coffee, Journey in WBC 2025 Milan
And that’s a wrap, competitor number 52, representing Aotearoa, New Zealand. Ranked 23rd in total out of 54 amazing competitors. After the semi-finalist announcement, I walked to the backstage stage. Freya asked me, Is it time for our annual hug now? And we hugged.
Thank you to everyone that have shared this journey with me. Barista championship is not able to be done with one single person. In fact, some teams are double the size of ours. But among each group, there are some things in common, which is the determination, passion, drive, persistence, adaptability, and love! It is certainly not easy to compete in a Barista Championship, at any level. And I have gained a profound new appreciation for every competitor I am privileged to be able to meet and watch, especially for Ben Put, Simon Sunlei, and Jack Simpson.
I was deeply in awe watching Ben from setting up, or even before that, when Mattieu Theis casually walked over and sat beside me with Jill Hoff, and Ben’s family followed suit. When Wilford Lamastus smiled at me before walking on stage and when his son Wilford Lamastus Jr. tasted Ben’s drinks right beside me.
I came to tears when watching Jack Simpson’s interview. And I was so happy to have shared the team bar experience with barista Simon, and since meeting him for the first time in 2023, trying the Flying Pumas set at his shop, it is still one of the best espressos, probably the best I have ever tasted. Thank you, my coffee idols, I want to dedicate the next ten years of my life in coffee just like you all have.
What is the best coffee experience? What is the best espresso? What is the best milk and signature beverage? I still don’t know just yet, but it is fine, because this is the beauty of coffee. Just like the best painting, best sculpture, best song is so hard to give a definition. When we are in a different time, space, mood, and weather, and with different people, that definition might always change. It is constantly evolving just like we all are. The next cup of coffee is going to be the best that you will ever have, and I intend to keep my promise to you, judges, and that’s my time!
Max Cui, Aotearoa Barista Champ 2025
