Aotearoa Barista Champion, Latte Art Champion crowned – BeanScene

Acme Cup Co’s Alan Bruce will be heading to Tokyo for the 2027 World Barista Championships following his win at the 2026 Aotearoa Barista Championships.

Alan has been involved in competitions for 13 years in both competitive and judging capacities.

Prior to joining Acme Cup Co, he was Head Roaster at Flight Coffee for almost a decade.

Heesun Lee from Atomic Coffee finished second, while Kindred Coffee’s Matt Ross finished third.

Alan was not the only champion to be named on the weekend of 19 and 20 September, as the New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association also held the Aotearoa Latte Art Championship.

Grey Roasting Co.’s Daniel Woodhouse was named the winner of the latte art competition and will now head to Lisbon to represent New Zealand at the World Latte Art Championship in 2027.

Representatives from Grey Roasting Co. took out a one-two finish, with Bryan Rajeyya finishing as runner-up to Daniel.

Bill Zhang, who was competing as an independent, finished third.

The 2027 World Barista Championships are being hosted in Tokyo between 28 April and 1 May, while the 2027 World Latte Art Championships are heading to Lisbon from 17 to 19 June.