Riverstone's Barista Championship 2023

10 November

A Celebration Of Excellence: In a thrilling culmination of skill and passion, Friday 1st of December marked the grand finale of the Riverstone Barista competition, presented in collaboration with our coffee partners, Hej Coffee.

Our panel of judges? A dynamic fusion of coffee connoisseurs, from Riverstone's Executives enthusiasts to our distinguished residents who appreciate the finer notes of a perfectly crafted brew!

The journey began with heated rounds across our Kensington and Fulham residences, leading five outstanding finalists to assemble at Hej's roastery in Elephant & Castle for the ultimate showdown.

The competition comprised various challenges, including a speed round, Latte art, a signature drink presentation, and a test of general coffee knowledge.

Among the finalists were exceptional talents from both our concierge and Maria G's teams, with participants Ahmed Tahir, Kevin Mazot, Claudia Trogu, Raffaele Ragno, and Yohannes Teklehaimanot.

Under the adept guidance of master of ceremonies Mathew Keech from Hey Coffee, and a distinguished judging panel that included one of our residents, the event unfolded with enthusiastic audience support. The competition was fierce, and the scores remained neck-and-neck throughout.

Amidst intense competition, Raffaele Ragno emerged as the crowned champion, securing an extraordinary all-expenses-paid trip for two to Turin. The prize includes flights, accommodation, meals, and an exclusive visit to the Lavazza Museum—a captivating immersion into the rich culture and rituals of coffee.

This competition not only showcased the exceptional talents of our dedicated staff team but also underlined Riverstone's commitment to fostering a culture of excellence. As a company that values and recognises hard work, we are proud to celebrate our skilled staff team members who contribute to the exceptional service experience at Riverstone.

Here's to Raffaele, our finalists and everyone who participated — their dedication to the craft is truly commendable!