Artcaffé's Martin Shabaya wins The 2015 Kenya National Barista Championship

Artcaffé Restaurant's barista, Martin Shabaya has won the 2015 Kenya National Barista Championship held at The Oval, in Westlands, Nairobi at the weekend.

In the tightly contested competition, Mr Shabaya beat his closest rival; Mr. Martin Opiyo of Nairobi Java House by 2 points to represent Kenya at the World Barista Championships (WBC) in the Seattle, US, in April this year.

The category winners were;

• Best Presentation: Martin Opiyo
• Best Capuccino: Martin Opiyo
• Best Signature beverage: Martin Shabaya
• Best Espresso: Martin Shabaya 

The official results went as follows;

• Winner: Martin Shabaya; Artecaffe
• 1st Runners Up: Martin Opiyo; Nairobi Java House
• 2nd Runners Up: William Odhako; Fairview Hotel
• 4th Place: Ambrose Ador; Nairobi Java House
• 5th Place: Jessee Wambugu; Hotel Sankara
• 6th Place Steve Mwema; Artecaffe

The event was officiated by head judge, Teija Lublinlifhof, who was in Nairobi representing World Coffee Events, organisers of the global championship, along with six locally trained judges who are baristas, food and beverage manager and coffee enthusiasts in Kenya.

This year’s competition attracted 40 participants from different restaurants and hotels in the country including Tribe Hotel, Safari Park Hotel, Windsor Golf and Country Club, Sankara Hotel, Sarova Group, Artcaffé Coffee Shops, Nairobi Java House, Flamingo Resort Mombasa, Serena Hotels and Fairview.

#KNBC2015