Elizaveta Rimskaia wins Julius Meinl Barista Cup global final

Elizaveta Rimskaia, a 20-year-old barista from Odelle Patisserie in Chisinau, has won the 2026 Julius Meinl Barista Cup global final held in Vienna. Rimskaia secured the title after competing against national champions from 15 different countries.

The competition consisted of three technical challenges: Espresso, Cappuccino, and a Signature Drink. Judges evaluated participants on technical execution, sensory balance, creativity, and presentation. Rimskaia, who prepared for six months with trainer Danil Moroz, excelled in all categories to claim the top spot.

As the global winner, Rimskaia will receive a trip to the coffee-growing regions of Kerala and Karnataka in India to study Robusta coffee plantations and the origins of Julius Meinl coffee. This victory follows a previous success for Moldova in 2024, when Vladimir Chzou won the individual Espresso category at the same competition.