Sumayyah Eid representing Jordan has been crowned the 2024 Starbucks Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Barista Champion, beating thousands of other competitors all vying for the coveted purple apron.
The annual contest took place at the end of September at Starbucks HQ in Chiswick, London, where the best Starbucks baristas from the EMEA region battled over three intense days for the title of 2024 EMEA Barista Champion, and for the opportunity to represent the EMEA region in the first ever Global Barista Championships taking place next year.
This year’s cohort of baristas were some of the most talented and innovative the competition has seen in the ten years since the first contest was held in 2014. But it was Sumayyah’s keen eye for detail and passion for their craft that sparkled throughout this year’s competition and meant they secured the purple apron.
Sumayyah, who was competing at her first Barista Championships has been working with Starbucks since she was 15, when she started as a part-time barista in Tampa, Florida. She moved to Jordan in 2019 to be closer to her family.
Sumayyah said straight after her win: “Oh my gosh! That is all I can really say. I haven’t processed this yet, you could pinch me – the emotions are overwhelming, in a good way.”
She was one of 55,000 partners (employees) from 42 markets throughout the EMEA region able to put themselves forward to compete, with 37 of the most talented baristas showcasing the passion that goes into creating the perfect cup of coffee in this year’s final. Their skills were tested across several different rounds, including presenting a coffee tasting, creating picture perfect latte art, inventing their very own signature drink and, for the first time this year, taking part in a ‘store rush’ which recreates the everyday coffee rush, but the only difference being that the champions were timed and marked on how well they perfect the ‘customer’ order.
The purple apron was presented to Sumayyah by Vaso Papastamatiou, last year’s Champion, who also helped to judge the competition.
“It has meant so much to me to compete this year, and I would encourage every single partner across the globe to take part as it is an amazing experience, regardless of winning the purple apron,” Sumayyah continued. “I want every partner to be as excited as I am. I’ve taken so many photos and videos so when I return home I can share with all my partners.
“It feels like a dream.”
As an ambassador for Starbucks coffee both in Jordan and across the EMEA Region, Sumayyah will now have the opportunity to travel to Rwanda as part of the Starbucks Origin Experience to deepen her coffee knowledge. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity allows partners to visit the coffee farms and meet the dedicated farmers at the very start of the bean’s journey to your cup, learning more about this Starbucks commitment to supporting a sustainable future of coffee for all. Knowledge they can share with Starbucks partners and customers across the region.
Each year, Starbucks Barista Championships are held across all the markets in the region, so Starbucks partners can showcase their deep coffee passion, craft and expertise. Baristas from each market qualify through local heats, and then on to the regional final. EMEA Champions have gone on to be advocates for coffee craft around the region, encouraging, guiding and certifying coffee masters, developing new training to upskill Green Apron partners, presenting the latest drinks to media and sharing their knowledge and passion for coffee across the business and with customers.
