"She smiled and said, 'Well done, so far. I'm so proud of you,'" he said. "That coffee wasn’t perfect, but it was the best cup I've ever had. Why? Because it made me feel warm. Even after I drank it,

Nobuki Shimode, who manages one of the company's stores in Japan, won the coveted title this week in Las Vegas, beating out 11 others in an intense three-day competition.

Starbucks crowned Nobuki as its first Global Barista Champion during the 2025 Leadership Experience event in Las Vegas. During the three day competition, Nobuki showcased coffee skill, craft, and storytelling while celebrating the coffeehouse community.