Twelve drinks. Eight judges. Fifteen minutes.
To say “time is short” would be an understatement.
Still, Logan barista Liam Pratt refused to crack under the pressure, battling it out with the country’s best to prove himself coffee’s ultimate Aussie master.
In the end, after making it through to the final round of the 2025 Australian Specialty Coffee Barista Championships in Melbourne, Mr Pratt secured fourth place.
In the final of three rounds, baristas and coffee professionals from around Australia were challenged to craft four espressos, four milk-based drinks and four signature beverages in a 15 minute presentation to a panel of certified judges.
Co-founder of Slacks Creek cafe Extraction Artisan Coffee, and Mr Pratt’s employer, Heather Scott said his win was a “huge” personal and professional achievement.
“This is a huge achievement not only for him, but for our whole team. We may be a small operator, but we’re playing the long game — focused on quality, consistency, and constant improvement,” Ms Scott said.
“Competing at this level is like patting your head and rubbing your tummy while delivering a TED Talk.
“You need sharp focus, nerves of steel, and the ability to communicate clearly while managing a dozen tasks at once.”
Mr Pratt presented beverages with two varieties of coffee bean, Java and Wush Wush, which originate from Ethiopia and were grown in Colombia by Cofinet Coffee, Colombian based coffee growers and global distributors.
“There’s been huge satisfaction in not just sourcing these coffees from our green bean partners, but also roasting them and getting to know every nuance over the last three months,” Mr Pratt said.
“That deep relationship with the coffee made presenting it on stage something really special.”
Extraction Artisan Coffee will sell a limited supply of Mr Pratt’s championship coffee beans and beverages over following weeks.
The cafe and its management has been motivated by this prestigious result recognising Mr Pratt’s expertise and continuing the brand’s vision, Ms Scott said.
“Our vision is to nurture the kind of excellence that transforms both coffee and community.”
