After qualifying through national rounds, Lablibell Bajarias from the UAE has been crowned Global Champion of the 4th International Lavazza Barista Challenge, competing against 20 top baristas at Lavazza’s headquarters in Turin, Italy. Held at La Centrale Nuvola Lavazza, the International Finals brought together top baristas from across the globe following their national victories.
Standing out among this year’s finalists, Bajarias secured the 2026 title with her signature creation, “Il Bosco” (The Forest). Inspired by Milan’s Bosco Verticale and crafted using the Lavazza Tales of Italy Galleria blend, the drink combined sustainability with sensory storytelling, bridging Emirati heritage with Milanese influence. Bajarias also received the Community Prize, voted by the global Lavazza network, while second and third place were awarded to Daniel Smith from South Africa and Hiroto Suzuki from Japan, respectively.
Under the theme “The Perfect Blend Between Tradition & Innovation,” finalists were challenged to craft a perfect Italian espresso using Lavazza’s Tales of Italy blends alongside a creative, non-alcoholic espresso-based beverage inspired by their local culture. The 2026 edition reaffirmed the UAE’s growing reputation on the global coffee stage, highlighting the innovation and craftsmanship driving the future of coffee.
Lavazza, founded in Turin in 1895, has been owned by the Lavazza family for four generations. Today, the Group is one of the leading players on the global coffee scene, with turnover of €3.9 billion and a portfolio of top brands that lead their respective markets, including Lavazza, Carte Noire, Merrild and Kicking Horse. It operates across all business sectors and in more than 140 markets, with nine manufacturing plants across five countries. Over 130 years of growth and more than 30 billion cups of coffee produced annually testify to the Group’s continued commitment to delivering the best coffee possible, from the selection of raw materials to the final cup.
Lavazza Group has revolutionized coffee culture through continuous investment in research and development. From pioneering the coffee blend to developing innovative packaging solutions and serving the first espresso consumed in space, the Group’s forward-thinking approach is reflected in dozens of industrial patents. This spirit of innovation is matched by a longstanding commitment to economic, social and environmental responsibility, which continue to guide corporate strategy.
“Awakening a better world every morning” is the corporate purpose of Lavazza Group, with the aim of creating value for shareholders, employees, consumers and the communities in which it operates, combining competitiveness with social and environmental responsibility.
About Lablibell Bajarias:
Lablibell Bajarias is a dedicated barista originally from the Philippines who began her coffee journey 12 years ago in Dubai. Since then, she has built an impressive competition record, winning the UAE National Brewers Cup in 2018 and representing the UAE at the World Brewers Cup Championship in Boston in 2019. She later placed fourth in the 2021 UAE Brewers Championship and secured second place in both the UAE Barista Championship and UAE Coffee in Good Spirits Championship in 2025.
Later that year, Bajarias won the 2025 UAE Lavazza Barista Challenge, earning the opportunity to represent the UAE on the international stage. In 2026, she achieved her biggest milestone yet by becoming the International Lavazza Barista Challenge Champion, fulfilling her dream of becoming an international barista champion while bringing recognition to both the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines.
