Making coffee is a science! It is a skill that only the best can master. And it is right that we spread the culture of coffee drinking in this spirit. That not all the coffee we are served is good. That it must be prepared according to a specific process, with knowledge and love.
This is what the traditional Barcaffè Barista Cup 2024, which Atlantic Grupa holds every year in a different country, was all about. This year, 12 of the best baristas from Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and, for the first time, Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered in Slovenia, and the region got its new best barista.
In the dynamic atmosphere of the Kolinska 1 Training Centre, the audience and the jury enjoyed the skills of the competitors, from espresso and milkshake making to the creation of original drinks. The finalists competed in three key disciplines: espresso, milkshake and signature drinks, each requiring precision, creativity and technical perfection.
The expert jury, made up of leading names in the coffee world, assessed all aspects of the preparation, from technique and taste to presentation and overall impression. This year's Best Barista in the region went to Karlo Purić from Croatia, while second and third place went to Ivan Toti, also from Croatia, and Eva Bogdan from Slovenia. In addition to the title, the winner also earned a cash prize of €5,000, exclusive Barcaffè espresso barista training and specialized coffee roasting training from Niko Oroša.
We made sure the event ran smoothly, seamlessly and without any complications. In partnership with our Croatian agency Conor, we prepared a real spectacle that will be remembered by many influencers, media and other invitees. We achieved free AVEs worth almost EUR 20,000 for the event and overcame a flood of influencer posts and teasers for the duration of the event. More than 300 invitees were impressed by what they saw, and everyone agreed that good coffee really is the thing that can brighten up even the dullest of days. And all the finalists showed with their knowledge and creativity that the world of coffee is so much more than simply making your favorite drink!
