Julius Meinl Romania has designated the winner of the 2026 Barista Cup national stage, who will represent Romania in the international final on September 4 in Vienna, where the best baristas from 16 countries in the Julius Meinl group will compete.
Organized at Expirat Bucharest, the national final marks another step in the evolution of a local program launched in 2019 with a clear objective: developing the barista community and ensuring the Julius Meinl standard in every cup of coffee served at partner locations. At the center of this endeavor are the people who transform coffee into an occasion for connection and a memorable experience for consumers.
Every year, over 250 baristas from across the country participate in the training sessions organized by Julius Meinl Romania, from which the best ten competitors are selected for the national final. Since 2024, the Barista Cup has been extended to the Julius Meinl group level, so that the winners of the local stages meet annually in the international final in Vienna.
“For us, the Barista Cup represents more than a competition. It is the way in which we invest, year after year, in the people who bring the Julius Meinl brand to life in every partner location. They are the ones who transform a simple cup of coffee into a memorable experience for every guest. The extension of the competition to the Julius Meinl group level has created new opportunities for participants from Romania, who can demonstrate their talent and exchange experience with professionals from the other countries of the group,” declared Mădălina Sultan, Marketing Manager Julius Meinl Romania.
The 2026 Barista Cup final brought together three rounds Espresso, Cappuccino, and Signature Drink in which competitors were evaluated on technique, precision, consistency, and creativity, using Belvedere, a certified, 100% Arabica blend. This was the key ingredient for creations that highlighted the potential of coffee to offer memorable experiences.
Partners in coffee excellence
Barista Cup 2026 is organized with the support of Rancilio Group, Fiorenzato, BWT, and DaVinci Gourmet the official partner for the syrups category and a brand recently added to the Julius Meinl Romania portfolio which supported the creativity of competitors in the creation of the Signature Drink beverages.
The winner of the Barista Cup Romania 2026 is Norbert Claudiu Vincze, from Restaurant FaHaz in Valea lui Mihai, Bihor County, who impressed the jury through technique, creativity, and the balance of his preparations. The signature drink, Signature Belvedere, blends espresso, coffee infused in vodka, and notes of sour cherries, accompanied by a Rooibos Tea prepared with Julius Meinl tea and floral cherry aromas.
The competition podium was completed by Liviu Pop, from C’est la Vie Cluj-Napoca, who finished in second place, and Alexandru Cojocaru, from News Café Sf. Gheorghe, who took third place and is the winner of the 2025 Barista Cup, qualified for the final through the Golden Buzz.
Through participation in the Barista Cup, each competitor becomes a Julius Meinl ambassador, contributing to the consolidation of a community of professionals who promote excellence in the preparation and serving of coffee in the HoReCa industry.
The competitors were evaluated by a jury consisting of Cezar Dumitru (Head Judge), Danil Moroz and Costin Bucur (sensory judges), as well as Barbocz Istvan (technical judge).
About Julius Meinl
Founded in Vienna in 1862, Julius Meinl is one of the oldest premium coffee brands in the world and a benchmark of Viennese coffee culture. The family company is present in over 70 countries and develops solutions dedicated to the HoReCa and retail segments.
