The TUCO Barista Skills Challenge is the perfect platform for you to showcase your skills, knowledge and talent in making the perfect cup of coffee.
A live 15-minute competition producing; four espressos, four milk or milk alternative drinks and finally four espresso-based, non-alcoholic specialty drinks.
Whilst creating these drinks, competitors gave live commentary to the judges and audience to explain their work and demonstrate their knowledge.
Each competitor is allocated these three preparation and competition periods:
- 15-minute practice (this is off stage and not filmed or judged)
- 15-minute setup on stage
- 15-minute live competition
Back for 2026 - The Latte Art Smackdown!
This knockout style competition saw competitors competing head-to-head in a 5-minute session to create their best latte art for the judges to simultaneously vote on to reveal our Latte Art supremo.
This is judged separately to the main Barista Skills Challenge above and has its own trophy.
Competitors will be automatically entered into the Barista Challenge and Latte Art Smackdown.
Watch the highlights from the 2026 competition:
We are delighted to confirm our winners for 2026:
- Best In Class
Nicolas Martin - UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH - Best Signature Coffee
Ana Dobre - UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON - Latte Art Smackdown Winner
Milly Dakin - Loughborough University - Gold
Bethan Norton - UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Nicolas Martin - UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Keegan Walker - UNIVERSITY OF EXETER - Silver
Milly Dakin - LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Lily Waghorn - NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY - Bronze
Cam Reynolds - HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY
Francisco Ramon - UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
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