Service station barista named best in world

A 20 year-old barista from a roadside service station has beaten off competition to win the title of Costa World Barista of the Year.

Kat Finch, store manager of Costa​ at Strensham Roadchef Service Station competed against nine other hopefuls from around the world at the Roastery in London, where her cup of handmade coffee won over judges Charles Metcalfe and Costa Master Roaster, Gennaro Pelliccia.

Metcalfe, the wine expert and TV presenter, said: "Who would have thought that the best Barista in the world would have come from a humble motorway service station. M5 travellers can now drop in for a cup of coffee at Costa and get served by the world`s best Barista. For me, coffee and wine share various fundamental aspects, such as acidity, fragrance and mouth-feel. Altitude and climate are as crucially important to coffee growing as to vine growing."

Asked to create their own signature drink, Finch put together a combination of coffee, chocolate and chilli, aptly named Heaven and Hell, to appeal to the current winter market.

Finch was awarded the title after judges voted both her drink, passion for coffee and service skills the best in the world. She also goes away with a trip for two to a coffee growing region, a bespoke uniform, and the Barista of the Year Trophy.

Finch said: "I cannot believe I have won such a prestigious competition - I`m lost for words. I never thought industry expert judges would be praising my very own coffee creation. Winning the award for Best Barista in the world has truly blown me away. I was so shocked, I could not stop crying when they handed me the trophy."

Runners up were Guillermo Florez from Costa in Argyll Street, London, and Carlos Martinez from Dubai who came second and third respectively.