Again in March, Barista Brewtality took govern honors at The Barista League: Europe. We sat ailing with Eline Ferket and Luisa Leitner to catch up and communicate technique, nerves, and what’s then.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Pictures courtesy of The Barista League
This past, The Barista League got here again larger than ever ahead of. For 2025, the enduring grassroots espresso pageant introduced a daring untouched structure: six regional occasions throughout six continents, with one champion crew rising from every. This shift marked a untouched bankruptcy for the contest—one who brings much more international reputation, variety, and pleasure to its famously unpredictable and electrical occasions.
Kicking off the season this hour March in Prague‘s splendid Gabriel Loci venue, The Barista League: Europe didn’t disappoint. And on the govern of the rostrum stood Barista Brewtality, the dynamic duo of Eline Ferket (Wildkaffee Rösterei) and Luisa Leitner (Kaffeelix Roastery), who introduced fierce ability and infectious power to the degree.
Within the months following the thrilling match, we said to Eline and Luisa about what it took to win, how they approached the contest, and why this match sticks out within the espresso international.
Barista Album: Congrats at the win! How did you get ready for The Barista League, and what used to be your technique entering into?
Eline: Thanks! We joked that we’ve been coaching for this our complete careers—however in some way, it’s true. The Barista League combines such a lot of espresso talents: brewing, bar stream, teamwork, or even components of alternative competitions. Our actual purpose used to be to constitute She Brews Collective, which we introduced in 2024 to fix and empower women in coffee. We would have liked to turn that you’ll be able to snatch pageant severely and nonetheless do it in a amusing, “girly” manner.
Luisa: Our technique used to be to divide the beverages according to our strengths. We spent the educational date perfecting two or 3 drinks every, and next fracture them the similar manner all over the contest. We ended up completing early and idea we’d forgotten one thing—however it sounds as if we simply nailed it.
What used to be your favourite spherical or problem?
Eline: The beverages problem. It in reality mirrors bar paintings: You greet the judges, snatch orders, and next get right into a clean workflow. I really like that more or less force with a superior teammate.
Luisa: Similar right here. It jogged my memory of the push in a café. Doing that with any person you accept as true with makes it thrilling and amusing.
What do you suppose all set you with the exception of alternative groups on degree?
Eline: Each and every crew had their very own distinctive power, however for us, it used to be about embodying She Brews Collective—taking espresso severely with out dropping pleasure and connection. We’d by no means labored in the back of a bar in combination ahead of, however we relied on every alternative, and our workflow mirrored that.
Luisa: We additionally introduced our character to the degree. We had “Pink Pony Club” by means of Chappell Roan taking part in, we danced a modest, and our mocktail had a pink prime heel garnish constituted of crispy raspberry. The judges liked the power.
Let us know concerning the mocktail!
Eline: It used to be known as “Pink Pony Club,” (and used to be) impressed by means of the speculation of ladies doing their very own factor, boldly and unapologetically.
Luisa: We would have liked the drink to specific that feeling while you create a dangerous determination that simply feels proper—like settingup She Brews.
Mocktail Recipe – Purple Pony Membership (serves 2):
Elements:
- 35g Guatemala chilly brew
- 35g hibiscus, raspberry, and lime kombucha
- 2g lemon juice
- 15g chili syrup
- 0.5g saline resolution
Form:
Shake all substances with numerous ice for 15 seconds. Double pressure into stemmed glasses. Garnish with a pink prime heel constituted of crispy raspberry sheets.
Are you able to describe your Barista League enjoy in 3 phrases?
Eline: Sudden. Iconic. Uplifting.
Luisa: Colourful. Amusing. Unbelievable.
So, what do you suppose makes The Barista League other from alternative competitions?
Eline: It rewards baristas with vast enjoy. It’s now not like Brewers Cup the place you choreograph each 2d—it’s about pulling out of your mind’s espresso archive within the generation. Serving 5 beverages in quarter-hour exams actual bar stream and teamwork. Plus, it’s only a superior date with wonderful community.
Luisa: The untouched regional structure is tremendous thrilling. I’m curious to look the winners from alternative continents. In Prague, it used to be inspiring to look each first-time competition and seasoned professionals bringing their A-game.
What’s stored you each addicted to espresso through the years?
Eline: I began as a pupil, simply taking a look to create buddies and a few cash. However after I discovered I couldn’t consider future with out espresso, it changed into my actual profession. Competing helped me see how deep the trade is going.
Luisa: For me, it all started all over an opening past in London. I were given into distinctiveness espresso once I found out the V60. I’ve been sweaty since later COVID, and I’m fascinated about the place my trail in espresso will snatch me.
Who or what evokes you maximum at the moment in espresso?
Eline: I love the paintings of Semilla Coffee and manufacturers like Victoria Aguirre in Honduras, who founded Campanario Group—a female-led rising initiative. It displays our She Brews values: connection, schooling, and lifting every alternative up.
Luisa: Matching to Eline, I glance as much as collectives at foundation like Girlsplaining and exporters like Cata Export who center of attention on schooling for more youthful generations. That spirit is what She Brews is all about.
The Prague society used to be unbelievable. How did that power have an effect on you on degree?
Eline: After I compete, I continuously oppose out the society to stick centered—however all over The Barista League, there have been moments I may just listen cheering and spot buddies smiling. That gave me an actual spice up.
Luisa: I felt the similar. As soon as the judges have been on degree, I zeroed in on our beverages and the workflow. However optical my public and buddies within the target audience certainly lifted the enjoy.
So, what’s then?
Eline: Our win introduced a accumulation of power to She Brews Collective, and we wish to form on that—develop the world over and manufacture extra areas for ladies in espresso.
Luisa: I’m shifting to Australia later the summer season to discover the espresso scene there and push myself professionally. And naturally, Eline and I’ve weighty goals for She Brews!
Coming Quickly: Extra Highlights from The Barista League
Within the coming weeks, we’ll be freeing extra interviews with the champions of The Barista League regionals around the globe—accumulation an visible out for extra!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior on-line correspondent for Barista Album and a contract copywriter and writer with a number one center of attention at the espresso area of interest. She has additionally been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, offering content material to assistance teach community about baristas and their paintings.
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