Sunday 25th October - Panama - The Final
Gab Tan is 4th in the world.
From 51 national champions to the final six, and now 4th at the World Barista Championship. It’s an incredible result for Gab, for Team Australia and for everyone at Veneziano who has been part of this journey.
Gab took to the stage one last time to present The Power of Recognition. For his espresso course, he served a washed Geisha from Maria Amoruso’s Finca Lerida in Boquete, Panama, with notes of yellow peach and Earl Grey tea and a long, tea-like finish. For milk, the Kartika from Raymond Ali’s Finca Ali in South Sumatra, showing strawberry, malted chocolate and butterscotch. His signature drink brought both origins together in the cup: blood orange, pink guava, raspberry and rose water with an effervescent texture.
Putting a coffee from South Sumatra in front of the world’s best judges, in a world final, is exactly what this routine was about. Recognition for the producers, recognition for an origin that deserves its place on the world stage, and recognition for years of hard work from Gab.
Thank you to Raymond Ali, Maria Amoruso at Finca Lerida and the Altieri Family for the coffees, to the team who trained, tasted and travelled alongside Gab, and to everyone back home who set an alarm to watch live.
Congratulations Gab. 4th in the world. We couldn’t be prouder.
Saturday 24th October - Panama - Semi Finals and Final Announcement
Gab is officially through the World Barista Championship Final!
51 national champions went down to 16 in the semi finals and now just 6 remain in the finals. What an achievement. What a team. And what a moment for Gab, representing Australia and Veneziano on the world stage.
This has been a lifelong dream and goal that Gab has worked towards for years. To see him not only make it to the World Championships but now earn his place among the Top 6 baristas in the world is pretty special.
We are so proud of you Gab. Now let's go have some fun in the FINAL!!
Friday 23rd October - Panama - Semi Final Announcements
Gab spent the bulk of the day on the World of Coffee exhibition floor with brewing slots at leading Panama producers including Hacienda Esmeralda, Kotowa Estate and Altieri Coffee.
Then in the late evening Gab joined the other national champions on stage as they all waited for the MCs to announce which 16 competitors would secure a coveted semi-final slot.
The Aussie cheers came from the bleachers when his name was announced.
"I’m very happy to move through to the semi finals. I worked so hard to get here. The coffee is going to taste even better tomorrow and I can’t wait to get back on stage and show the judges."
Thursday 22nd October - Panama - Round 1
Today, Gab took to stage in Round One presenting his 15 minute routine built around one central idea: The Power of Recognition.
His presentation brought together two coffees from very different origins. For his espresso course, a Geisha from Finca Altieri in Panama, an origin already recognised globally for exceptional coffee. And then for his milk course, a coffee from Finca Ali, in Indonesia, representing the incredible quality and potential emerging from lesser-recognised origins.
It’s an idea that goes far beyond what was in the cup. Gab’s routine explored what can happen when we give producers, origins and people within our industry the recognition they deserve, and the momentum that recognition can create.
After months of training, countless hours of preparation and trips to origin to work with the people behind these coffees, seeing it all come together on the world stage was a pretty special moment. We couldn’t be prouder of Gab and the entire team who helped get him there.
Wednesday 21st October - Panama - Base Camp
Team Australia has officially landed in Panama ahead of the 2026 World Barista Championships. 55 hours of travel, 12 suitcases. A stopover in LA. And straight from the airport to Panama City into base camp training. That's dedication.
Day 2 was spent at the Panama Convention Centre unpacking, tasting coffee and making the final preparation before Gab Tan takes to the world stage tomorrow. Word from the team is the coffee is tasting great, spirits are high and Gab is ready to do Australia proud.
We couldn't be prouder of Gab and the team behind him. It's taken an incredible amount of work, preparation and commitment to get to this point, and we'll be cheering them on as they head into the first round of competition tomorrow.
