A Decade of Coffee, Talent, and Connection: Starbucks Celebrates Ten Years of the LAC Barista Championship in Costa Rica
Amid Costa Rica’s lush coffee landscapes, 18 partners from across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) came together to celebrate their passion and creativity for coffee, where Edson from Mexico was named 2025 Regional Champion.
Costa Rica – Bringing together passion, skill and connection, Starbucks celebrated the grand finale of the tenth edition of LAC Barista Championship at the National Convention Center in San José, Costa Rica. For a decade, this competition has honored the artistry, human connection and dedication of Starbucks partners throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. As part of their championship journey, partners also visited Hacienda Alsacia, Starbucks first company-operated coffee farm and global agronomy headquarters, to experience coffee from seed to cup and connect with the brand’s roots in coffee innovation.
This year, Edson Rodríguez from Mexico was crowned 2025 LAC Barista Champion, standing out for their exceptional technique, creativity and ability to connect with others through coffee. Also recognized were María from Costa Rica and Sebastián from Puerto Rico, who impressed the judges with their innovation and skill. In total, 18 national champions representing markets across the region gathered in Costa Rica, a market that embodies the brand’s deep coffee heritage, to showcase their talent and celebrate ten years of passion, connection and growth.
Throughout a full day of competition, the national champions were evaluated through a series of rounds designed to test their coffee knowledge, creativity, and technical expertise. Early challenges included coffee tastings paired with storytelling, where participants demonstrated their understanding of coffee origins, ethical sourcing, and C.A.F.E. Practices through randomly selected topics, along with a store-rush simulation, blind coffee tasting, and a signature beverage creation. The final round culminated in sharing their signature beverage and personal storytelling, followed by a latte-art challenge — where both the milk type and latte-art pattern were chosen at random — celebrating excellence in coffee craft, connection, and creativity.
“The LAC Barista Championship is a celebration of everything Starbucks stands for in our region: passion, talent and community,” said Ricardo Arias-Nath, svp, Global Coffee & Tea, and president, Latin America and the Caribbean. “For ten years, this experience has honored the craft of coffee and the partners behind it. It’s a powerful reminder that coffee connects us — from the farms where it’s grown to the moments our partners create in stores every day. This experience also fuels professional growth, strengthens our partner community, and continues to show why Starbucks is the best job in retail.”
“Starbucks gave me the opportunity to connect with coffee for the first time and to discover that it’s not just a flavor, but a story. More than a competition, this experience felt like a family journey, where you learn from everyone and are enriched by each person. From the very first moment, our partners made me feel at home, with a deep sense of belonging. Today, I feel proud to represent not only my country but all of Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Edson Rodríguez from Starbucks Mexico.
A platform for growth and connection
Since its first edition in 2015, this competition has brought together more than 57,000 baristas and 180 national champions from over 20 markets in LAC throughout the years — including 18 markets represented in 2025 — establishing itself as a space for cultural exchange and inspiration where green-aproned partners share their love for coffee and learn from one another. The competition begins at local and national levels and culminates in Costa Rica, celebrating Starbucks connection to its coffee heritage and its commitment to sustainability and people.
Hacienda Alsacia remains a meaningful part of the championship experience. Located at the foothills of Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano, the farm symbolizes Starbucks commitment to innovation and sustainability in coffee. Hacienda Alsacia acts as an innovation and R&D hub, further advancing the company’s work to support coffee farmers and protect the future of coffee for all.
A commitment to partners, coffee and the region
The LAC Barista Championship reflects Starbucks commitment to being the best job in retail – a place where every partner wearing the green apron finds opportunity, growth and a sense of belonging. With more than 1,800 stores across Latin America and the Caribbean, Starbucks continues to strengthen its presence in the region through new store openings and initiatives focused on career development, sustainability and deeper community connection, further empowering partners to thrive personally and professionally.
A decade after its first edition, the LAC Barista Championship remains much more than a competition. It is a living story of coffee passion, green apron pride and the opportunities that make Starbucks the best job in retail.
