Gabrel Tan competes in first round of 2026 World Barista Championship – BeanScene

Gabrel Tan has taken the stage for his World Barista Championship (WBC) debut, representing Australia with a routine built around the concept “The Power of Recognition” at the 2026 competition in Panama.

Gabrel, from Melbourne’s Veneziano Coffee Roasters, was the ninth competitor to take the floor in round one on Thursday 22 October local time (Friday morning AEDT), in a routine with coffees that celebrated Panama’s established excellence and Indonesia’s emerging potential. 

Taking place at World of Coffee Panama 2026 in the nation’s capital, he was scheduled to start at 11.07am on Thursday 22 October local time (3.07am on Friday 23 October AEDT), but the start was delayed, with Gabrel eventually taking the stage with a 14 minute and 44 second routine.

Watch Gabrel Tan’s round one routine below:

For his espresso course, Gabrel chose a Geisha from the Altieri family’s Finca Altieri in Boquete, Panama. Grown at 1,800 metres above sea level and processed as a 48-hour anaerobic natural, it delivered notes of orange, yellow peach and pineapple.

His milk course featured a Kartika from Finca Ali in Semendo, South Sumatra, Indonesia, produced by Raymond Ali. Grown at 1,700 metres above sea level and processed as a 48-hour anaerobic natural, it delivered notes of strawberry, molten chocolate and cherry. He paired it with 90% full cream milk and 10% cryodesiccated oat milk for increased sweetness and texture.

For his signature drink, Gabrel brought these Panamanian and Indonesian coffees together with ingredients inspired by his visits to both origins.

Koji-fermented tree tomato, also known as tamarillo and a fruit he first experienced on a coffee farm in Panama, was chosen to transform the Finca Altieri coffee’s stonefruit character into notes of blood orange and pink guava.

His next ingredient, Indonesian cacao husk and cherry-infused water, then transformed the cherry notes of  the Finca Ali coffee into the new flavours of raspberry and rose water. To give the drink a new identity, he combined both ingredients, clarified and force-carbonated it to 60 psi, and served it at 10°C for an effervescent texture.

At the World Barista Championships, each competitor has 15 minutes to prepare and serve four espressos, four milk drinks and four signature beverages to four judges, while sharing the stories, techniques and ideas behind them. Judges assess taste, technical skill, cleanliness, creativity and presentation, with six competitors ultimately reaching the final and one winner.

“I hope by showcasing these coffees on stage, I can create enough momentum for others to follow, bringing more different origins to the forefront, more producers having their work seen and celebrated, and more opportunities for these coffees to be showcased beyond this stage, not just as everyday coffee, but with the same amount of attention and appreciation we give to the world’s most celebrated origins,” he said during his routine. 

“As a barista, producer, or judge, we all require a level of recognition to be successful within this industry. But I believe when we give out this recognition, it can kickstart the momentum that they need to achieve something truly amazing.”

The road to Panama

Gabrel, who joined Veneziano Coffee Roasters in 2019, won the 2026 Australian Barista Championship after placing second in 2022.

Originally from Malaysia, he moved to Australia at 18, where his coffee journey began when his first mentor, Ken, gave him an opportunity as a barista.

Throughout his routine, Gabrel paid tribute to Ken and the impact he had on his career.

He is also using Riverina Fresh milk, which he flew to Panama in an Esky with a special ice pack configuration, after 55 hours of travel, 12 suitcases and a stopover in Los Angeles.

Gabrel has had the 2025 World Barista Champ, Australian Jack Simpson, in his corner, with the pair working on his routine as they try to achieve back-to-back success for Australia in the international championship. Jack is also on the ground in Panama City, supporting Gabrel.

Readers can follow his WBC 2026 journey on the Veneziano Instagram channel for recaps and updates from Panama, and watch the championships live here.