The birthplace of the coffeehouse was the setting for the 12th World Barista Championship held from 12-15 June 2012. Raul Rodas from Guatemala was crowned the 2012 World Barista Champion. Fifty-four barista champions competed for the title this year, cheered on by a local crowd of more than 4,000 and an online crowd of more than 25,000![4] 

2012 – Vienna, Austria(click on name for video)

Bogota, Colombia was the location for the first World Barista Championship held in South America, from 2-5 June 2011. Alejandro Mendez from El Salvador was awarded the World Barista Champion title, marking an additional milestone for WBC by becoming the first world champion from a coffee-producing country. He was joined by 53 additional national barista champions for the four-day event.[4] 

2011 – Bogota, Colombia(click on name for video)

The week of 23-25 June 2010, London, England was the focus of the eyes of the specialty coffee world, both online and at the host event, Caffe Culture, held in association with the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE).It was another epic event as Mike Phillips of Chicago, USA, walked away with the 2010 crown. 53 national barista champions in total were cheered on by an audience of over one thousand people, with a total internet audience of 29,600 (unique IP address visitors) over the course of the 3-day event via our GoLive streaming video project.[4] 

2010 – London, United Kingdom(click on name for video)

The event that marked the 10 year celebration of WBC presented in Atlanta, Georgia, April 16-19th. Featuring the first time WBC Espresso Bar with interactive presentations and sampling of competition quality beverages.Over 8000 fans, from the stage audience to the daily online blog and our live-stream followers, were all witness to Gwilym Davies from the United Kingdom, as he claimed the title of 2009 World Barista Champion.[4] 

Held in conjunction with "The Event" SCAA 22nd Annual Exposition.

2009 – Atlanta, Georgia, United States(click on name for video)

The world watched, both live and via an internet live web-cast, as Stephen Morrissey of Ireland captured the 2008 World Barista Champion crown. Held in conjunction with the 2008 SCAE Wonderful Coffee event, 51 national barista champions proved that the WBC is truly helping to elevate coffee-making standards around the world.[4] 

2008 – Copenhagen, Denmark(click on name for video)

In front of a record crowd of over 2000, 45 national barista champions from all over the world converged in Tokyo, Japan, for the first WBC event in Asia. In the end, James Hoffmann, barista champion from the United Kingdom, was crowned the 2007 World Barista Champion. James used two separate single-origin coffees to prepare his three coffee courses, combining the two for his signature drink.[4] 

2007 – Tokyo, Japan

The beautiful city of Berne, Switzerland, was the host of the 7th annual World Barista Championship. 39 nations were battling for the prestigious world title and the level of the competitors has never been higher. A record-breaking amount of spectators were cheering and nearly blowing the roof off the building when Klaus Thomsen from Denmark was awarded the 2006 World Barista Champion title. His spectacular performance was based on what he believed “Speciality coffee can be in the year 2006” and the philosophy behind the presentation was that coffee is like a Symphony, where all “players”, or workers in the coffee chain, has to work together and towards the same goal in order to provide a perfect cup of espresso. His signature drink called “Symphony” was a three-layer drink consisting of coffee – panna cotta, espresso and coffee foam. Klaus is the 4th Danish world barista champion.[4] 

2006 – Berne, Switzerland

In 2005, Seattle, the USA home of espresso coffee, was the WBC host. Once again the worlds best baristas and coffee enthusiasts gathered to experience the ultimate professional espresso experience. 35 countries competed to find the next champion. Scandinavia was successful again, for the third time a Danish competitor took the crown. Troels Overdall Poulsen was triumphant in the USA coffee capital. ClickHEREto watch the online video.[4] 

2005 – Seattle, USA

In its fifth year the WBC traveled to Trieste, Italy, the home of Italian coffee and quality espresso. A record breaking 34 representatives battled to win the title which for the first time was also accompanied by a competition of a different kind. Judges as well as baristas had to work for a position in the competition. In front of an audience of hundreds Tim Wendelboe of Norway proudly earned the now much sought after title of World Barista Champion.[4] 

2004 – Trieste, Italy

The WBC had now gained such momentum that the competition was broadcast on national morning TV to over 20 million Americans (not to mention the rest of the world!) From a tough pool of 28 baristas the championship was awarded for the first time out side of Scandinavia. Paul Bassett from Australia overwhelmingly took top honours with a convincing and solid performance.[4] 

2003 – Boston, USA

For the third annual World Barista Championship we were back in Europe, as Oslo, Norway and the SCAE hosted the competition for 2002. Once again baristas from across the globe came together to battle for the title. 24 baristas worked tirelessly. Denmark's Fritz Storm blasted home to win.[4] 

2002 – Oslo, Norway

2001 saw the competition move to the USA, to the hot and steamy beach city of Miami, Florida. This time around 17 baristas came to represent their home countries and once again the winner was plucked from the north – Denmark’s Martin Hildebrandt took home the crown.[4] 

2001 – Miami, USA

In 2000 in Monte Carlo, a group of like minded individuals got together and presented the first annual World Barista Championship. Their vision was to create a competition that showcased the best baristas from around the globe. 12 people competed from various nations and the competition was won by Robert Thoresen of Norway.[4] 

2000 – Monte Carlo, Monaco

2013 World Barista Championship

Melbourne, Australia – 22-26 May 2013[5] 

Held in conjuction with theMelbourne International Coffee Expo