A Melbourne Barista Was Just Named the Coffee-Making Champion of the World for 2022

Last month, Melbourne's Anthony Douglas of Axil Coffee Roasters did his notoriously coffee-obsessed city proud, taking out the title of Australia's National Barista Champion for 2022 at the Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) National Coffee Championships.

Now, the rest of the world has discovered what this barista can do, too. Last week, Douglas smashed some fierce international competition to nab first place at the World Barista Championship. Yep, he's officially put himself — and Melbourne's coffee scene — on the map, as the best barista on the planet for 2022.

With almost a decade at Axil under his belt and over 12 years in the industry, the coffee maestro battled it out against 47 other international hopefuls competing at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 27–30.

Anthony Douglas

Competitors were judged by a global panel on taste, technical skill and presentation across the three-round championship, with Douglas whipping up espressos, milk-based drinks and his own original signature concoction to impress the judges.

All of the local's creations were crafted using coffee from El Diviso in Colombia, while his signature drink is one that'd put all your past coffee orders to shame — featuring Colombian honey, lacto-fermented passionfruit, hibiscus cold brew tea and a 'cryodesiccated' (evaporating water via freezing) date syrup for extra intensity.

Axil has a swag of cafe locations across Melbourne — find your local by jumping to the website.