A rising star in the coffee industry is preparing for her international debut after winning the 2021 UK Starbucks Barista Championships.

Based at Bristol Clifton Down’s Starbucks store, Barb Sladkova was declared the national champion on Wednesday 15 September after smashing through three regional stages.

Barb, who is from Slovakia, first started working at Starbucks when she was studying for her university degree in the Czech Republic and her favourite Starbucks beverage is an iced soy chai latte with one pump of vanilla.

Barb said: “I moved to Bristol and continued working for Starbucks alongside studying for my master’s degree. Who knew, back when I was 21 that this job would be so rewarding.

“I have learnt a lot about coffee and about myself, met some amazing co-workers and customers who I get to call my friends and loved every minute of it. I’m so proud of how far I’ve come in the Barista Championships so far and I’m really excited for the EMEA-wide competition next month.”

Thousands of baristas competed in three regional stages of Starbucks Barista Championships this year, which saw the top baristas from around the UK showcase their skills in latte art before demonstrating their coffee passion and knowledge.

Returning for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, the national finalists will now have the opportunity to compete in this year’s Starbucks EMEA Barista Championship Final on 20th October, held at the brand new Reserve Bar at London’s Tower Place store.

The final will virtually connect over 45,000 people from 32 countries for the first time across Europe, the Middle East and Africa at the biggest multi-country championship Starbucks has ever hosted.

Gwyn Kennett, Head of Operations for Cobra Coffee, Starbucks licensee partner which operates the store at Clifton Down Shopping Centre, said: “Barb has done incredibly well and we are so proud of her.

“She’s had to demonstrate a tremendous amount of skill, knowledge and leadership in quality. Her coffee knowledge is top notch and her hard work means customers in Bristol can now get a coffee made from a national champion!”

Alex Rayner, General Manager at Starbucks UK said: “At Starbucks core is our shared love of coffee – it’s where we started and why we’re here – and we are all united by unrivalled coffee passion, craft and expertise. Our skilled baristas deliver great tasting, innovative beverages using the highest quality, ethically sourced coffee beans and we’re excited to crown Barb as the winner of this year’s UK competition and wish her the best of luck for the EMEA competition.”