The UAE has reached the top of the international coffee scene after Lablibell Bajarias, representing the Emirates, won the 2026 International Finals of the Lavazza Barista Challenge in Turin, Italy.

Bajarias competed against 20 national champions from around the world, securing first place and also receiving the Community Prize, voted for by the global Lavazza network. South Africa’s Daniel Smith finished second, while Japan’s Hiroto Suzuki took third place.

A winning cup inspired by UAE hospitality

At the heart of Bajarias’ victory was her signature creation, “Il Bosco” — “The Forest.” The drink combined an experimental approach to coffee with sustainability, featuring ingredients such as zero-waste date coffee saccharum, lacto-fermented strawberry, cascara infusion and butter-infused coffee.

But the concept behind the drink went beyond flavour. Bajarias drew inspiration from the UAE’s culture of hospitality, where serving coffee has long represented warmth, generosity and respect.

For her, coffee is more than a beverage. It is a way to create connections between people and cultures — an idea that became central to her presentation on the international stage.

From the Philippines to representing the UAE

Bajarias originally moved from the Philippines to the UAE in 2013, hoping to build a better future. What began as a job gradually developed into a serious passion for coffee.

Over the years, the UAE became the place where she developed professionally, connected with the coffee community and gained opportunities to compete internationally.

Eventually, that journey led her to represent the Emirates on the global stage.

Although she was not born in the UAE, Bajarias considers the country an important part of her personal and professional story. She said winning the international title felt like an opportunity to give something back to the community that had supported her development.

Months of preparation behind the victory

Winning the championship required far more than creating an original drink.

Bajarias spent months refining the recipe, developing her presentation and rehearsing every detail while continuing to work full time. Balancing a nine-to-five schedule with intensive preparation often meant sacrificing sleep and personal time.

With national champions from 20 countries competing, standing out required both technical skill and a distinctive story.

For Bajarias, one of the biggest lessons from the experience was that success does not come from chasing perfection. Instead, she focused on constant improvement and treating setbacks as opportunities to develop.

A global victory for the UAE coffee community

Bajarias’ win also highlights the growing diversity of the UAE’s hospitality scene. The country’s multicultural environment has created a community where professionals from around the world can build careers, exchange ideas and eventually represent the Emirates internationally.

Her journey — from arriving in the UAE in 2013 to becoming an international barista champion — reflects that opportunity.

Now a global champion, Bajarias hopes her achievement will encourage others to pursue ambitious goals regardless of their background.

Her victory in Turin ultimately represents more than one exceptional cup of coffee. It is a story of perseverance, multiculturalism and the UAE’s culture of hospitality — translated into a creation that impressed judges on the world stage.