Two London baristas from the Borough of Bromley are celebrating after being named among just 12 finalists in Costa Coffee’s 2026 UK and Ireland Barista of the Year competition.
Ahmed Rana, 31, from Costa Coffee’s store in the Glades Shopping Centre, and Shani Wallace, 19, from the Nugent Shopping Park, Orpington store, have both earned their place in the final following fierce competition against hundreds of Costa Coffee baristas across the UK and Ireland.
Costa Coffee, The Nation’s Favourite Coffee Shop*, has proudly run the Barista of the Year competition since 2006, recognising our barista community and giving them a national and international stage to celebrate the craft and care behind every coffee experience.
Over the past few months, Ahmed and Shani impressed judges through two challenging local rounds. They first perfected four Costa Coffee drinks to showcase the brand’s signature taste and quality, before creating original speciality drinks. Ahmed’s creation, the Lychee Iced Cortado, and Shani’s Neapolitan Latte, both highlighted their flair and expertise.
Ahmed Rana, Costa Coffee barista at The Glades Shopping Centre, Bromley store said: “I entered Barista of the Year to challenge myself and step outside my comfort zone. Winning the local stages was an incredibly proud and unexpected moment for me. My advice to anyone thinking about entering next year is to just go for it, the experience teaches you so much about handling pressure, overcoming nerves, and believing in yourself.”
Shani Wallace, Costa Coffee barista at the Nugent Shopping Park store said: “Seeing my colleague compete last year inspired me to step up and see what I could do, so I decided to enter the Barista of the Year competition to represent my store – putting the skills I’ve learned into the spotlight. My proudest moments so far have been pushing myself further – becoming a Barista Maestro at 18 and winning the local stages has felt so rewarding. I’d tell anyone thinking about entering the competition to not overthink it – enjoy the ride, make the most of the opportunity, and you’ll grow so much as a barista along the way.”
The UK and Ireland Barista of the Year final takes place on 3rd – 4th February 2026, with 12 finalists competing across three rounds – testing precision, creativity, and technical skill. The competition is more than just a showcase of coffee – it’s about celebrating the care and skill of Costa Coffee’s baristas, and their passion for the signature taste of the iconic Mocha Italia blend.
The three winners of the UK and Ireland competition will go on to compete in the Global Final of the competition in March, competing against 4 baristas from India, the UAE, Poland and China – celebrating outstanding talent from Costa Coffee’s worldwide community of more than 18,000 baristas.
For more information about the Costa Coffee Barista of the Year competition or to apply for a barista role at Costa Coffee, please visit: https://www.costa.co.uk/sustainability/people/our-baristas
