Çetin Alpay Başkan from Türkiye became the champion at the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship MISA Regional Final.

The most talented baristas from Turkey, India, and Kenya showcased the coffee culture of the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, and Africa (MISA) region. The regional champion, Başkan, qualified for the world finals in Bangkok.

DaVinci GourmetThe organizers announced that Çetin Alpay Başkan, representing Türkiye, was the winner of the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft 2025–26 MISA Regional Final. Following his success at the MISA Regional Final held in Kenya on April 11, 2026, Başkan qualified to compete in the World Final at the World of Coffee event to be held in Bangkok, Thailand on May 9, 2026.

Following a challenging competition that measured both sensory and technical skills, Başkan earned the right to represent MISA on the world stage. Çetin Alpay Başkan will compete in Bangkok against champions from the Asia Pacific (APAC) and Latin America (LATAM) regions for the title of 2025-26 DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Champion.

This year's championship, themed "Espresso Your Flavor," aims to highlight passion, creativity, and originality in the art of coffee. Building upon the first competition in 2024, the program is being strengthened each year by DaVinci Gourmet. By placing the creator behind the counter at the center, it offers baristas the opportunity to tell their own stories through flavor, presentation, and the techniques they use.

This vision found tangible expression at the MISA Regional Finals. Finalists from Turkey, India, and Kenya demonstrated that the art of coffee goes far beyond technical skill, encompassing culture, origins, and personal stories. The performances showcased the rapid growth of coffee culture in the region and the significance of such competitions for barista communities.

Çetin Alpay Başkan from Loofy's Roastery won first place by successfully blending his technical skills with storytelling. His winning recipe included the espresso blend “Aegean Breeze,” where basil tea, fennel, and tomato juice are balanced with DaVinci Gourmet Forest Fruit Syrup and DaVinci Gourmet Cheesecake Sauce. Completed with freeze-dried raspberries and fresh basil, the espresso added a fresh, aromatic, and deep, layered flavor.

The signature drink, “The Horizon,” presented a bolder composition based on contrasts. A recipe enriched with tomato juice, lemon, and a dash of spices, and DaVinci Gourmet Mango Syrup, it was crowned with a smooth espresso foam prepared with DaVinci Gourmet Vanilla Sauce. The resulting drink offered a contemporary taste experience that combined clarity, intensity, and balance.

Çetin Alpay Başkan shared his thoughts on the competition with these words: “This victory means a great deal to me because it reflects not only my own journey but also the people, experiences, and coffee culture that shaped me. Competing in the MISA Regional Finals allowed me to see much more clearly who I am as a barista and what I want to express in the drink I prepare. I want to bring something technically advanced but also personal and memorable to Bangkok. Something that reflects my style, my story, and the energy of the region I come from.”

Mohan NS from Bengaluru, representing India in the competition, reflected his farming background in his coffee. In his first drink, he enriched an espresso base with falernum and oat milk, balanced it with DaVinci Gourmet Elderflower and Shortbread Cookie Syrups, and completed the recipe with coconut water ice cubes and falernum cream rice crackers. In his second drink, he combined Earl Grey tea with DaVinci Gourmet Lavender Syrup, strawberry cheesecake, and fresh fruit, serving it with ice and a botanical garnish. Both drinks, speaking a clear, balanced, and modern flavor profile, referenced Mohan's farming heritage.

Simon Ruoya, participating from Kenya, paid tribute to the farmers behind the harvest with the drinks he prepared. His first recipe blended espresso, whole milk, DaVinci Gourmet Spiced Chai Syrup, and vanilla to create a classic, intimate café flavor. His second drink had a much more vibrant and expressive flavor profile. Layered with passion fruit, lychee, and hibiscus extract over an espresso base, the drink offered a unique flavor where vibrant, aromatic, and tropical acidity met floral notes.

The finalists were judged by a jury comprised of leading figures from the MISA region. Defne Ceyda Okay (Turkey), a WCE-certified judge and Q-Grader, served as the technical judge, evaluating the contestants from a technical standpoint. Sensory evaluation was conducted by George Obienge (Africa), an experienced mixology expert and sommelier, and Srikanth Rao (India), Bayar's Coffee Director and Q Arabica Grader.

Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager of Food Service Brands for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa at Kerry Group, shared her thoughts on the MISA Regional Finals: “Under this year’s theme of ‘Espresso Your Flavour,’ we saw competitors from all over MISA showcasing not only their strong techniques but also their individuality, cultural perspectives, and creativity on stage. DaVinci Gourmet is proud to support and empower this community through the Barista Craft Championship. We strive to create a platform where talent can flourish, stories can be shared, and local coffee culture can find its place on the global stage.”

Competing for the DaVinci Gourmet 2025-26 Barista Craft Championship title at World of Coffee in Bangkok, the President will present two new beverages to an international jury. The jury will include Mikael Jasin, the 2024 World Barista Champion and DaVinci Gourmet's first brand ambassador for Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa (APMEA).