Meet Sebastián, the LAC Barista Champion Representing Latin America in Las Vegas
Over the three-day competition, Peruvian partner, Sebastián and 11 other baristas from around the world will showcase their coffee passion, expertise and craft through a variety of skills and knowledge-based competitions. The event will take place during the Starbucks Leadership Experience conference with more than 14,000 partners (employees) from the United States and Canada in attendance to watch the first-ever Starbucks Global Barista Champion be crowned.
When Sebastián joined Starbucks in 2022, he had no previous experience in the world of coffee. He also did not imagine building a career in it. What he found was something unexpected: Starbucks offered a sense of community, a place to grow through creativity and human connection, and structure.
That opportunity revealed itself gradually as coffee shifted from being just a beverage to becoming something more. It became an experience that surprised and challenged him. He discovered its complexity, depth, and ultimately, a new way to connect with others through his role as barista.
“Before becoming a Starbucks partner, coffee for me was instant and always with sugar,” Sebastián recalls. In his world, coffee was more routine than ritual—functional, fast and unremarkable. But once he joined the Starbucks, he began exploring different varieties and brewing methods. He watched as his fellow partners spoke about coffee with passion and respect.
Then came a moment that changed everything: his first taste of a Starbucks® Single Origin Colombia brewed in-store by another partner. The flavor, the clarity of the notes, and the story behind it all took him by surprise. “That’s when I realized coffee doesn’t need sugar when it carries something deeper,” he says.
“Coffee is more than a drink: it is art, it is community and it is a way to leave a mark.”
Sebastián, Starbucks Barista Championship 2025 LAC Contestant
Now, nearly three years into his journey, Sebastián has built a relationship with coffee that goes beyond technique. With each beverage he prepares, he has found a form of expression, a way to interpret and share the world through craft. “Coffee didn’t just turn me into a barista. It made me an artist,” he says.
To him, every beverage is one of a kind. There is intention behind the bean, precision in the method, and care in the way it is served. Being a barista, in his view, is about creating with purpose. It is about honoring the origin and respecting the details that make each cup meaningful.
That vision led Sebastián to become the 2023 LAC Barista Champion, a milestone that now brings him to a new stage. He will represent his home market, Peru, and all of Latin America in the first-ever Global Barista Championship, which will take place June 9-11, 2026 in Las Vegas. Alongside baristas from around the world, he will share his story, his craft, and his belief in coffee as a universal language that bridges cultures and brings people together. Read more about the competition and meet the contestants.
Preparing for this global stage has been a demanding and rewarding process. Unlike the local championship, the international competition brings new formats, more complex phases, and constant learning. “My training has been meticulous and fun… learning and refining new things has been incredibly enriching,” he shares.
What excites him most about the Global Barista Championship is not just the competition. It is the chance to connect with other partners who share the same passion for coffee. “I can’t wait to hear their stories and connect with them. More than a competition, it’s a moment to learn and grow. No matter where we’re from, we all have green aprons at heart,” he says. “I want to come back with a suitcase full of stories.”
To those just beginning to explore the world of coffee, Sebastián offers simple but heartfelt advice. “It’s a beautiful universe, full of emotion and possibility. Coffee is a tool for self-expression… and a way to inspire others.”
Sebastián’s story is not just about a barista representing his region on a global stage. It shows how, at Starbucks, the role of the barista can also be a path toward personal growth, creative expression, and meaningful community. You can follow Sebastian’s journey on Starbucks YouTube channel.
