Singapore crowns four coffee champions for 2027 world stage

Singapore’s National Coffee Championship 2026 ended after three days at SIGEP Asia, naming four national winners who will represent the city-state at the 2027 World Coffee Championships. The results underscore Singapore’s growing specialty coffee scene and set up a global run for barista, brewing, latte art and cup tasting talent.

Why it matters: - Singapore’s top coffee competitors now have a direct path to the 2027 World Coffee Championships. - The results show the depth of Singapore’s specialty coffee pipeline, from first-time competitors to repeat champions. - The championship also serves as a national benchmark for coffee craft and professional development.

What happened: - The Singapore National Coffee Championship 2026 wrapped up after three days of competition in Singapore. - The event was organized by the Singapore Coffee Association and co-located with SIGEP Asia, Specialty Food & Drinks Asia and Restaurant Asia. - Sixty-three competitors entered four categories. - Four national champions were crowned and will represent Singapore in corresponding 2027 world championship categories.

The details: - Gabriel Lim Yeok Sien, a barista at Glyph Supply Co, won the Singapore National Barista Championship. - Lim will compete at the World Barista Championship in Tokyo, Japan, in 2027. - The barista category required competitors to prepare three espresso-based beverage courses: espresso, milk and a signature drink. - Elysia Tan, brand manager at MAME Specialty Coffee, won the TIMEMORE Singapore National Brewers Cup. - Tan is a four-time champion, with previous titles in 2024 and earlier competition experience dating back to 2018. - Tan will represent Singapore at the World Brewers Cup in Bogotá, Colombia, in 2027. - Zheng Yi Lim, senior barista at Cafe Kitsune, won the Singapore National Latte Art Championship. - Lim will compete at the World Latte Art Championship in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2027. - Lim had competed in the event twice before, finishing as second runner-up and first runner-up. - Lim has entered more than 20 coffee competitions during his career. - The latte art category was judged on symmetry, contrast, creativity and visual impact. - Wong Li Ping, Levina, a trainer at Torch Coffee, won the Singapore Cup Tasters Championship. - Levina is based in Kenya and runs coffee training classes for local and international students. - Levina was the only female finalist in her third year competing in the category. - The cup tasters event tested competitors’ ability to identify subtle taste differences across multiple cups of specialty coffee. - Singapore Coffee Association President Victor Mah said the field combined returning competitors and new faces and reflected the community’s growth. - IEG Asia CEO and event organizer Ilaria Cicero said hosting SNCC within SIGEP Asia gave the industry a platform to challenge itself and move toward the global stage. - The judges came from Singapore, Australia, China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand.

Between the lines: - The repeated wins and first-time victories point to a maturing local scene with both continuity and new talent. - Tan’s fourth Brewers Cup title makes her the most decorated competitor in that category. - Levina’s work in coffee-producing countries adds a development angle to Singapore’s competition scene, not just a performance one. - The event’s placement alongside broader foodservice trade shows suggests Singapore’s coffee market is increasingly tied to regional industry networking and business exposure.

What's next: - SNCC returns July 14-16, 2027, at Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore. - The four winners will prepare for their respective world championship events in 2027. - Updates will be posted at More information.

The bottom line: - Singapore’s coffee competition scene is no longer just local bragging rights; it is a proven feeder system for the world stage.