Justin Gironella, a head barista in London, has been named the winner of BM Caterers’ Barista Championship 2025.
Recognised for his high technical and sensory scores, his sustainability awareness, and the passion and love for coffee demonstrated in his presentation, his prizes include a trip to Victoria Arduino’s factory in Italy, a Mählkonig X54 coffee grinder, and a class with SCA Education.
The competition saw 10 semi-finalists and six finalists compete at Victoria Arduino in London on 9th May, with candidates judged on their presentation, technical and sensory skills. The judging panel was made up of representatives from across the coffee industry, including Bella Barista, Notes Coffee, Victoria Arduino, Oatly and Islands Chocolate, with BM’s coffee brand manager Adrian Steenkamp serving as head judge.
Gironella was named winner as part of a prize-giving ceremony at the end of the day. He has been with BM Caterers for over a year, having previously worked as a barista across various sites in London, including Boba Garden and Natural Bean coffee shop. Yufei Lei and Anna Bevza, both London-based finished second and third in the competition.
Adrian Steenkamp, coffee brand manager at BM Caterers, said: “I’d like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Justin on an outstanding achievement. His progression over the past year has been truly impressive, and his passion for coffee is unmistakable. It’s evident that he lives and breathes coffee not just in his technical skills, but in the way he tells a story through his presentation. His attention to detail, creativity, and deep understanding of the craft set him apart.
“What really stood out was how naturally he connected with the audience while delivering a complex and well-thought-out routine. Justin represents the next generation of coffee professionals, and he has the potential to go far in this industry. I’m excited to see how his journey unfolds – this is only the beginning for him.”
He added: “A heartfelt thank you to our generous host, Victoria Arduino, for providing such an incredible space and platform for this event. We’re also deeply grateful to all the judges, competitors, and supporters who took part. It was truly uplifting to witness the gathering of passionate individuals, all united by a shared love for coffee. The sense of community, collaboration and mutual respect on display reminded us why this industry is so special. Here’s to many more events that celebrate not just coffee, but the people behind it.”
