Asia’s coffee scene continues to push creative boundaries as some of the region’s top baristas gathered in Singapore for the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship Asia Pacific Regionals 2025–26. Held during Food & Hospitality Asia (FHA), the competition celebrated innovation, storytelling, and technical mastery under this year’s theme, “Espresso Your Flavour.”
Emerging victorious was Hong Kong’s Hasting Ng, whose inventive coffee creations and refined technique earned him the title of Asia Pacific champion and a coveted spot at the global finals in Bangkok, Thailand.
Hasting Ng Claims Asia Pacific Barista Championship Title
After an intense day of competition, Hasting Ng impressed the judges with two standout beverages that showcased balance, creativity, and a clear personal identity in coffee craftsmanship.
The Hong Kong-based barista secured the regional championship title and will now represent Asia Pacific at the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship Global Final scheduled during World of Coffee Bangkok on 9 May 2026.
At the global stage, Ng will compete against regional champions from other parts of the world, including Latin America winner Yasmim Rodrigues Sarandy da Silva and Middle East, India Subcontinent, and Africa champion Cetin Alpay Baskan.
“Espresso Your Flavour” Highlights Creativity and Individuality
This year’s competition theme, “Espresso Your Flavour,” encouraged baristas to express their unique personalities through coffee innovation, flavour combinations, and storytelling.
The championship unfolds across four stages, beginning with digital preliminary submissions before progressing through national competitions, regional finals, and the global championship round.
Building on the success of the inaugural 2024 edition, DaVinci Gourmet positioned this year’s competition around empowering baristas to showcase individuality while maintaining technical precision and beverage excellence.
The Asia Pacific regional finals featured eight national champions from countries including China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.
Competitors were challenged to prepare two beverages within a strict time limit while demonstrating workflow efficiency, cleanliness, flavour harmony, presentation skills, and consistency.
Regional Finalists Showcase Asia’s Diverse Coffee Culture
One of the highlights of the competition was the strong influence of local culture and regional flavours incorporated into the beverages.
Hasting Ng presented a non-alcoholic spiced mulled coffee alongside a nasi lemak-inspired espresso drink infused with pandan, lychee, and rice syrup.
Vietnam’s Tuan Hai Khu earned first runner-up honors after impressing judges with a Kenyan espresso beverage paired with raspberry, hibiscus, and shortbread foam, as well as a tea-inspired signature drink.
Indonesia’s Michael Reinhard secured second runner-up with drinks inspired by urban botanicals and heritage flavours, while Philippine representative John Joseph C. San Juan delivered a memorable performance through tropical and nostalgic flavor profiles.
San Juan’s creations included an ube-based beverage inspired by halo-halo and banana cream, along with a milk-washed espresso drink layered with mango, peach, and passionfruit.
The competition demonstrated how coffee culture across Asia continues to evolve through storytelling, sustainability, and the creative reinterpretation of local ingredients.
Hasting Ng Reflects on His Winning Journey
Speaking after his victory, Hasting Ng shared that the championship represented an important milestone in his professional growth as a barista.
He explained that the competition allowed him to confidently explore his own style and create beverages rooted in simplicity, clarity, and balance. Ng also expressed pride in representing both Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific region at the upcoming global finals in Bangkok.
Beyond being a barista competitor, Ng is also known as a coach, trainer, and consultant. He was previously named first runner-up at the 2025 Hong Kong Coffee in Good Spirit Championship.
Mikael Jasin Returns as Special Guest and Global Finals Judge
Adding prestige to the event was the appearance of Mikael Jasin, who attended as a special guest and mentor during the regional competition.
As DaVinci Gourmet’s first brand ambassador for Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa, Jasin shared insights and encouragement with the competing baristas. He is also set to join the judging panel for the upcoming global finals.
DaVinci Gourmet Continues Supporting Beverage Innovation
According to Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager of Food Service Brands for Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, this year’s championship showcased a noticeable rise in the level of competition and creativity among participants.
She noted that the expanded competition reflected how beverage craftsmanship continues to evolve globally, with baristas increasingly using flavour and storytelling to communicate identity and creativity.
Through the Barista Craft Championship, DaVinci Gourmet continues investing in coffee professionals by providing a platform for innovation, education, and creative growth across the café and beverage industry.
As specialty coffee culture gains momentum across Asia, competitions like these highlight the growing influence of regional talent on the global coffee scene.
The DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship has become more than just a skills competition. It now serves as a platform for emerging coffee professionals to showcase creativity, cultural identity, and innovation in beverage development.
By spotlighting local ingredients, sustainable concepts, and evolving café trends, the championship reflects the future direction of specialty coffee across Asia Pacific and beyond.
With the global finals approaching in Bangkok, industry professionals and coffee enthusiasts alike will be watching closely to see how Asia Pacific’s best talent performs on the world stage.