Back in March, Barista Brewtality took top honors at The Barista League: Europe. We sat down with Eline Ferket and Luisa Leitner to catch up and talk strategy, nerves, and what’s next.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Photos courtesy of The Barista League
This year, The Barista League came back bigger than ever before. For 2025, the iconic grassroots coffee competition launched a bold new format: six regional events across six continents, with one champion team emerging from each. This shift marked a new chapter for the competition—one that brings even more global recognition, diversity, and excitement to its famously unpredictable and electric events.
Kicking off the season this past March in Prague’s stunning Gabriel Loci venue, The Barista League: Europe did not disappoint. And at the top of the podium stood Barista Brewtality, the dynamic duo of Eline Ferket (Wildkaffee Rösterei) and Luisa Leitner (Kaffeelix Roastery), who brought fierce skill and infectious energy to the stage.
In the months following the exciting event, we spoke to Eline and Luisa about what it took to win, how they approached the competition, and why this event stands out in the coffee world.
Barista Magazine: Congrats on the win! How did you prepare for The Barista League, and what was your strategy going in?
Eline: Thank you! We joked that we’ve been training for this our whole careers—but in a way, it’s true. The Barista League combines so many coffee skills: brewing, bar flow, teamwork, and even elements of other competitions. Our real goal was to represent She Brews Collective, which we launched in 2024 to connect and empower women in coffee. We wanted to show that you can take competition seriously and still do it in a fun, “girly” way.
Luisa: Our strategy was to divide the drinks based on our strengths. We spent the training time perfecting two or three beverages each, and then split them the same way during the competition. We ended up finishing early and thought we’d forgotten something—but apparently we just nailed it.
What was your favorite round or challenge?
Eline: The drinks challenge. It really mirrors bar work: You greet the judges, take orders, and then get into a smooth workflow. I love that kind of pressure with a great teammate.
Luisa: Same here. It reminded me of the rush in a café. Doing that with someone you trust makes it exciting and fun.
What do you think set you apart from other teams on stage?
Eline: Every team had their own unique energy, but for us, it was about embodying She Brews Collective—taking coffee seriously without losing joy and connection. We’d never worked behind a bar together before, but we trusted each other, and our workflow reflected that.
Luisa: We also brought our personality to the stage. We had “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan playing, we danced a little, and our mocktail had a red high heel garnish made from dehydrated raspberry. The judges loved the energy.
Tell us about the mocktail!
Eline: It was called “Pink Pony Club,” (and was) inspired by the idea of women doing their own thing, boldly and unapologetically.
Luisa: We wanted the drink to express that feeling when you make a risky decision that just feels right—like starting She Brews.
Mocktail Recipe – Pink Pony Club (serves 2):
Ingredients:
- 35g Guatemala cold brew
- 35g hibiscus, raspberry, and lime kombucha
- 2g lemon juice
- 15g chili syrup
- 0.5g saline solution
Method:
Shake all ingredients with lots of ice for 15 seconds. Double strain into stemmed glasses. Garnish with a red high heel made from dehydrated raspberry sheets.
Can you describe your Barista League experience in three words?
Eline: Unexpected. Iconic. Uplifting.
Luisa: Vibrant. Fun. Incredible.
So, what do you think makes The Barista League different from other competitions?
Eline: It rewards baristas with broad experience. It’s not like Brewers Cup where you choreograph every second—it’s about pulling from your brain’s coffee archive in the moment. Serving five drinks in 15 minutes tests real bar flow and teamwork. Plus, it’s just a great time with amazing people.
Luisa: The new regional format is super exciting. I’m curious to see the winners from other continents. In Prague, it was inspiring to see both first-time competitors and seasoned pros bringing their A-game.
What’s kept you both hooked on coffee over the years?
Eline: I started as a student, just looking to make friends and some money. But once I realized I couldn’t imagine life without coffee, it became my real career. Competing helped me see how deep the industry goes.
Luisa: For me, it began during a gap year in London. I got into specialty coffee when I discovered the V60. I’ve been roasting since after COVID, and I’m excited about where my path in coffee will take me.
Who or what inspires you most right now in coffee?
Eline: I admire the work of Semilla Coffee and producers like Victoria Aguirre in Honduras, who founded Campanario Group—a female-led growing initiative. It reflects our She Brews values: connection, education, and lifting each other up.
Luisa: Similar to Eline, I look up to collectives at origin like Girlsplaining and exporters like Cata Export who focus on education for younger generations. That spirit is what She Brews is all about.
The Prague crowd was incredible. How did that energy affect you on stage?
Eline: When I compete, I often block out the crowd to stay focused—but during The Barista League, there were moments I could hear cheering and see friends smiling. That gave me a real boost.
Luisa: I felt the same. Once the judges were on stage, I zeroed in on our drinks and the workflow. But seeing my family and friends in the audience definitely lifted the experience.
So, what’s next?
Eline: Our win brought a lot of energy to She Brews Collective, and we want to build on that—grow internationally and create more spaces for women in coffee.
Luisa: I’m moving to Australia after the summer to explore the coffee scene there and push myself professionally. And of course, Eline and I have big dreams for She Brews!
Coming Soon: More Highlights from The Barista League
In the coming weeks, we’ll be releasing more interviews with the champions of The Barista League regionals around the world—keep an eye out for more!
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior online correspondent for Barista Magazine and a freelance copywriter and editor with a primary focus on the coffee niche. She has also been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, providing content to help educate people about baristas and their work.
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