World barista champ visits Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Pete Licata, the 2013-2014 World Barista Champion, recently visited Manila for a series of barista showdowns and to promote the second Philippine National Barista Championship, the country’s only barista competition sanctioned by World Coffee Events, organizer of the prestigious World Barista Championship (WBC).

Licata’s visit was also timed for the 15th anniversary of Allegro Beverage Corp., the exclusive Philippine distributor of Nuova Simonelli and its award-winning NS Aurelia II T3 machine, the 2012-2014 official espresso machine of the WBC.

“We are more than delighted to welcome Pete Licata in celebrating with us our 15th year in the industry,” said Leo de Leon, president and general manager of Allegro Beverage Corp.

“Pete’s visit will certainly increase awareness on the important role that Filipino baristas play in advancing our coffee industry. The barista profession in the Philippines needs and deserves greater recognition and Allegro Beverage Corp., together with Nuova Simonelli, is working hard in this regard,” added De Leon.

Prior to winning the 2013 WBC title, Licata placed second at the 2011 WBC in Bogota, Colombia. He began competing in 2005 at the US Barista Championship (USBC) and has won several top honors throughout the years, including USBC regional champion in 2005, 2008 and 2010, and USBC national champion in 2011 and 2013.

With his achievement of becoming the Best Barista in the World, Licata has retired from barista competitions to concentrate on his work as a professional barista trainer and coffee educator.

Licata appeared as a judge and featured guest for a barista showdown at the Resorts World Manila in Newport City, and the Latte Art Throwdown at the Beverage Design Studio & Café along EDSA Ortigas, to share his journey to winning the 2013 World Barista Champion title.