DaVinci Gourmet has announced Cetin Alpay Baskan of Turkiye as the winner of the Middle East, India Subcontinent and Africa (MISA) Regional Final of the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship 2025–26. Held on 11 April 2026 in Kenya, East Africa, the MISA Regional Final concluded with Baskan now advancing to the Global Final at World of Coffee in Bangkok, Thailand, on 9 May 2026.
Following an intense competition that tested both sensory mastery and technical precision, Baskan emerged victorious to represent MISA on the world stage. In Bangkok, he will compete against the champions from Asia Pacific (APAC) and Latin America (LATAM) for the title of DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Champion 2025–26.
Organised under this year’s theme, “Espresso Your Flavour,” the championship is designed to celebrate passion, creativity and individuality in coffee craft. Building on the inaugural 2024 edition, DaVinci Gourmet has continued to evolve the programme into a platform that puts the creator behind the counter at the centre, empowering baristas to express their unique point of view through flavour, storytelling and technique.
That spirit was especially visible across the MISA Regional Final, where finalists from Turkiye, India and Kenya brought distinct perspectives shaped by their own coffee cultures, communities and craft traditions. From origin-led storytelling and agricultural insight to contemporary café creativity, the competition reflected a region where modern coffee craft in MISA is as much about people, place and perspective as it is about technical skill.Their performances underscored the region’s fast-evolving coffee scene, and the role of competitions like this in creating visibility, raising standards and strengthening a community of baristas who are helping shape the future of café culture.
Cetin Alpay Baskan of Loofy’s Roastery came out on top for his ability to blend technical precision with storytelling. His winning recipes included “Aegean Breeze”, blended espresso with purple basil tea, fennel and tomato juice, balanced with DaVinci Gourmet Forest Berries Syrup and DaVinci Gourmet Cheesecake Sauce. Finished with freeze-dried raspberries and fresh basil, the drink delivered a layered profile that was fresh, herbaceous and expressive.
His signature beverage, “The Horizon”, explored bolder contrasts, combining clarified tomato juice, lime and a hint of spice, enriched with DaVinci Gourmet Mango Syrup and finished with a smooth espresso foam made using DaVinci Gourmet Creamy Vanilla Sauce. The result was a contemporary drink that fused clarity, intensity and balance.
“This win means a great deal to me because it reflects not just my own journey, but the people, experiences and coffee culture that shaped me along the way,” Cetin Alpay Baskan shared. “Competing in the MISA Regional Final pushed me to be even clearer about who I am as a barista and what I want to express in the cup. In Bangkok, I want to bring something that is technically precise, but also personal and memorable, something that represents my style, my story and the energy of our region.”
Hailing from Bengaluru and representing the India Subcontinent, Mohan NS used his agricultural background to bridge the gap from farm to cup. His first drink featured an espresso base layered with falernum and oat milk, subtly balanced with DaVinci Gourmet Elderflower Syrup and DaVinci Gourmet Shortbread Cookie Syrup, and finished with coconut water ice cube and a rice cracker filled with falernum cream. The second beverage explored a more aromatic profile, combining Earl Grey tea with DaVinci Gourmet Lavender Syrup alongside clarified fruit and savoury elements, including clarified strawberry cheesecake. Finished with ice and a delicate botanical garnish, the drink highlighted clarity, balance and modern flavour expression.
“I see myself representing my craft and also the farms, families and communities behind Indian coffee,” said Mohan NS. “My signature beverage brings together familiar Indian flavours in a modern way, using DaVinci Gourmet to tell a story of warmth, spice and hospitality in every cup. It’s an honour to show that India is not only a producer of great coffee, but also a home to baristas who can take our origins to a global audience.”
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Simon Ruoya used signature flavours to honour the farmers behind the harvest. The first drink combined espresso with full cream milk, spice chai and French vanilla syrup, resulting in a warm cup that balanced sweetness, spice and classic café appeal.
The second beverage offered a brighter, more expressive flavour profile, built on espresso and layered with passion fruit mix, fragrant lychee and hibiscus extract. Lively and aromatic, the drink celebrated tropical acidity, floral notes and the bold ingredient expression associated with the region.
The finalists were evaluated by a panel representing the best in the MISA region. Technical judge Defne Ceyda Okay (Turkiye), a WCE-certified judge and Q-Grader, oversaw the technical standards. Sensory judging was led by George Obienge (Africa), a veteran mixologist and sommelier, and Srikanth Rao (India), Director at Bayar’s Coffee and a Certified Q Arabica Grader.
“Under this year’s ‘Espresso Your Flavour’ theme, we saw competitors from across MISA bring forward not just strong technique, but individuality, cultural perspective and real creative ambition,” said Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager, Food Service Brands, Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. “Through the Barista Craft Championship, DaVinci Gourmet is proud to support and empower this community, creating a platform where talent can grow, stories can be shared and local coffee culture can take its place on the global stage.”
Competing for the title of DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Champion 2025–26 at the Global Final in World of Coffee Bangkok, Baskan will present two new beverages before an international judging panel, including Mikael Jasin, 2024 World Barista Champion and DaVinci Gourmet’s first brand ambassador for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA).
The MISA Regional Final builds on months of activity across local markets, with the APAC Final closing out this year’s regional championship rounds. The 2025–26 edition carries four stages: national preliminary digital submissions, national finals, sub-regional finals and the Global Final.
