Wakefield barista brews way to UK and Ireland final of Costa Coffee’s Barista of the Year
– 2 min read
A barista from Costa Coffee’s Wakefield Drive Thru store, is celebrating after being named one of just 12 finalists in Costa Coffee’s 2026 UK and Ireland Barista of the Year competition.
Charlie Denton, a 25-year-old barista who has been part of the Costa Coffee family for 6 years, has earned their place in the final following fierce competition against hundreds of Costa Coffee baristas across the UK and Ireland.
Costa Coffee, has run the Barista of the Year competition since 2006, recognising our barista community and giving them a national and international stage to celebrate the craft and care behind every coffee experience.
Over the past few months, Charlie impressed judges with his skill, creativity, and passion for coffee over two challenging local rounds. First, he perfected four Costa Coffee drinks to showcase the brand’s signature taste and quality. He then created an original speciality drink, the Caramelised Banana and Date – highlighting his flair and expertise.
Charlie said:“ Taking part in Barista of the Year has been a goal of mine for many years, and this felt like the perfect time to go for it. I’m passionate about coffee and proud of the skills I’ve developed at Costa Coffee, so it’s amazing to have the chance to showcase that. One of my proudest moments was representing Costa Coffee at the 2024 Paris Olympics, sharing my love of coffee with athletes from around the world was truly unforgettable – so I’m excited to bring this same love and passion to the competition!
The UK and Ireland Barista of the Year final takes place on 3rd – 4th February 2026, with 12 finalists competing across three rounds - testing precision, creativity, and technical skill. The competition is more than just a showcase of coffee - it’s about celebrating the care and skill of Costa Coffee's baristas, and their passion for the signature taste of the iconic Mocha Italia blend.
The three winners of the UK and Ireland competition will go on to compete in the Global Final of the competition in March, competing against 4 baristas from India, the UAE, Poland and China - celebrating outstanding talent from Costa Coffee’s worldwide community of more than 18,000 baristas.
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