North Netherlands Barista Championships 2026 – four words that mean one thing to every serious barista in the North: this is your moment. Ten minutes. An espresso machine. Two espressos, two cappuccinos. And a jury with trained palates scrutinizing every gram of coffee, every second of extraction, and every milk foam texture. This is no hobbyist's outing. This is the battle for the title of best barista in the Northern Netherlands.
World of Barista is once again organizing the region's most serious coffee competition this year. Whether you are a barista in a bustling city café, a specialty bar, or have been dreaming for years of recognition for what you put in your cup every day: this is the moment to prove yourself.
What is at stake?
Eternal glory. Seriously. But also the chance to measure yourself against the best craftsmen and craftswomen of the North, and on a stage that matters. The final of the North Netherlands Barista Championships takes place on October 5, 2026 during the Hospitality Experience in the Martiniplaza in Groningen. One of the largest hospitality trade fairs in the Northern Netherlands will be your arena.
| Final date | October 5, 2026 |
| Location | Martiniplaza, Groningen |
| Event | Hospitality Experience |
| Organisation | World of Barista |
The participants qualify through the preliminary rounds, so start on time. Only the strongest make it to the final. The winner can rightfully call themselves the best barista of the Northern Netherlands until the next edition.
North Netherlands Barista Championships: the format
Each participant prepares two espressos and two cappuccinos. You have a maximum of ten minutes. You may bring your own coffee and your own grinder; the rest is ready. What you NOT ALLOWED What you can take with you is a second chance. The jury assesses technical execution, presentation, work zone, and the overall impression you leave behind.
Train your routine down to the second. In championship matches, the winner is not always the one with the most expensive beans, but the one who performs most consistently under pressure.
The jury: experts who miss nothing
You are not dealing with beginners. The jury of the North Netherlands Barista Championships consists of people who not only drink coffee, but understand it down to a molecular level. Meet the three judges.
Merijn Gijsbers – Host & Jury Member
Merijn Gijsbers is the 2017 Dutch Barista Champion and the 2018 Dubai International Coffee Champion. In his role as trainer, consultant, and barista, he travels the world for his company to spread the coffee gospel and act as an ambassador for various brands. As host, he expertly ensures the smooth running of the North Netherlands Barista Championships, and as a judge, he knows better than anyone what should be in the cup.
Rose van Asten – Jury Member
Rose van Asten is a certified SCA barista trainer and one of the most experienced coffee professionals in the Netherlands. She has won multiple national titles: Dutch Barista Champion (2006), Dutch Latte Art Champion (2007), and Dutch Cupping Champion (2008/09), and represented the Netherlands at the world championships. For over twenty years, she has been training baristas through her training agency, Your Coffee Companion. In 2025, The New Barista, the handbook she co-wrote with Wendelien van Bunnik. As a seasoned judge, she combines championship experience with a keen sensory palate and a deep understanding of the craft.
Wendelien van Bunnik – Jury Member
Wendelien van Bunnik has been a barista and trainer since 2010. She works as a community builder, content creator, public speaker, and co-author of The New Barista; the standard Dutch-language work for baristas and coffee lovers. She is the founder of The Happy Coffee Network, an international community for coffee professionals. With her platform @wendeliendrinkscoffee, she reaches a large audience that she takes into the world of specialty coffee daily. As a judge, she brings a keen eye for craftsmanship, a broad taste experience, and a fresh external perspective to the championship.
Free Latte Art workshop by 2-time Dutch champion
During the breaks in the match, gives Kaspar Tammjärv – 2-time Dutch Latte Art Champion (2019 & 2023), free Latte Art workshops. Whether you are a participant, a spectator, or simply a coffee lover: this is a unique opportunity to learn from one of the best in the Netherlands how to turn milk into art. Admission to the workshops is free for all visitors of the Horeca Xperience.
Are you the one we are looking for?
The North Netherlands Barista Championships 2026 are open to both beginner and advanced baristasYou don't need a year of experience. You need passion, precision, and the courage to expose yourself to critical eyes and noses. The North has barista talent in abundance. But who stands out?
Register via World of Barista and participate in the preliminary rounds. Places are limited. Those who wait will miss their chance.
