Ahmed Rana, 31, from Costa Coffee in The Glades Shopping Centre in Bromley, and 19-year-old Shani Wallace from the Nugent Shopping Park store in Orpington, have made it through to the UK and Ireland finals of Costa Coffee’s 2026 Barista of the Year contest.
The pair are among just 12 finalists selected from hundreds of entrants across the UK and Ireland, London Now reports, where further details of the competition can be read.
Ahmed Rana reached the UK finals with his signature lychee iced cortado (Image: Costa Coffee)
Mr Rana created a lychee iced cortado to impress judges, while Ms Wallace crafted a Neapolitan latte.
Mr Rana said: “I entered Barista of the Year to challenge myself and step outside my comfort zone.
“Winning the local stages was an incredibly proud and unexpected moment for me.
“My advice to anyone thinking about entering next year is to just go for it, the experience teaches you so much about handling pressure, overcoming nerves, and believing in yourself.”
Costa Coffee has run the Barista of the Year competition since 2006 to recognise the talent and dedication of its barista community.
The contest offers baristas a platform to showcase their craft at both national and international levels.
Participants were tested over two rounds, including the creation of four standard Costa Coffee drinks and an original speciality beverage.
Ms Wallace said: “Seeing my colleague compete last year inspired me to step up and see what I could do, so I decided to enter the Barista of the Year competition to represent my store – putting the skills I’ve learned into the spotlight.
“My proudest moments so far have been pushing myself further – becoming a Barista Maestro at 18 and winning the local stages has felt so rewarding.
“I’d tell anyone thinking about entering the competition to not overthink it – enjoy the ride, make the most of the opportunity, and you’ll grow so much as a barista along the way.”
The 2026 UK and Ireland final will take place on February 3 and 4.
Finalists will compete across three rounds that test their precision, creativity, and technical skill.
The competition celebrates the passion, expertise, and care that Costa Coffee baristas put into every cup, especially using the brand’s signature Mocha Italia blend.
The top three winners will advance to the global final in March, where they will represent the UK and Ireland against baristas from India, the UAE, Poland, and China.
The global event showcases talent from Costa Coffee’s wider community of more than 18,000 baristas worldwide.
