The Speciality Food Festival 2021 hosts three days of intense Cup-to-Cup competition to select UAE represents at global championships. 

Dubai, UAE – 10 November 2021: The Speciality Food Festival, the MENA region’s leading event for the gourmet & fine food industry, recognised the region’s top coffee talent at the UAE National Barista Championship and National Latte Art Championship.

More than 20 baristas from across the UAE were put to the test in an intense live competition where they were challenged to create four espresso drinks, four milk drinks and a signature drink each for a by a panel of six judges. 

Following a high-energy beverage battle, Michaela Anne Ruazol-Recera, owner and head Barista at Typica Café located in Jumeirah, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, claimed the National Barista Championship title. 

“My signature drink’s name is Inspire, it has low notes of melon, mango and orange blossom with a jasmine finish. I am surprised I won,” said Michaela, who will now go on to represent the UAE at the Global Barista Championship in Melbourne, Australia in 2022. 

In the National Latte Art Competition, participants were required to focus on a singular theme and create three different latte arts. Mondrick Alpas, an independent Barista, came out on top to claim victory. “My theme was Guardians of the Magical Forest and my three pieces were the guardian deer, a hornbill sitting on the tree and a fox guarding the magical tree in the forest. I think what set me apart from the other contestants was the precision and unique theme I chose,” said Alpas who will go on to represent the UAE at the Global Latte Art Competition that is scheduled to be held in Melbourne, Australia in 2022. 
The Speciality Food Festival is set to return 8-10 November in 2022.