Spilling the beans: Barista competition at Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown

Hosted at Open Sesame, Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown’s specialty coffee shop and Mediterranean brasserie, the competition features three key categories: the milk-based drink round, the specialty coffee round, and the signature coffee creation round. Baristas are judged on time, creativity, presentation, and of course - taste.

Baristas only need to bring their best, Open Sesame will take care of the rest. The competition venue will provide all the equipment needed, including dedicated workspaces, espresso machines, grinders, coffee, and a range of milks and syrups.

Running from 1pm to 5pm, each participant gets 20 minutes in total.

The competition will be judged by a distinguished panel, including Mariam Pinza, the multi-award-winning UAE Brewers Cup Champion 2021 and UAE Cezve Ibrik Champion 2022. Joining her is Laura Eggleton, General Manager of Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown. The panel also includes Samson Kibunja, an authorised specialty trainer and Café Manager at Baitna Café Sharjah; Gideon, Head Roaster at Café Rider and Q Arabica Grader; Sonam Sherpa, the UAE Brewers Aeropress Champion 2024; Giampaolo Scarfi, Director of F&B at Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown; and Tarik Kaddoumi, Founder of B612 Specialty Coffee.

Barista competition prizes: The lucky first prize winner receives a 2 night stay at the Intercontinental Fujairah, the second prize winner receives a luxurious one-night stay at Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown, and the third prize winner receives a seafood voucher for two at Open Sesame in Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown.

How to enter: Entry to the competition is free. 

Baristas must first submit an online form 

10 baristas are then shortlisted for the competition, and sent a thorough brief.

The barista competition is just one of the several exciting events that Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown is serving up for International Coffee Day this October.