From Coffee Basics to Signature Drinks: Jamaica Blue’s Best Baristas Put Their Skills to the Test

What does it take to make a great Jamaica Blue coffee? Skill, consistency, creativity – and plenty of practice.

The 2026 Jamaica Blue Barista Competition brought talented baristas from across our café network together to put their coffee knowledge and skills to the test.

Across a series of challenges, competitors worked their way through the fundamentals of great coffee, demonstrated their technical barista skills and stepped things up with signature drinks that gave them the opportunity to showcase their creativity and personality.

After an impressive competition, a barista from Jamaica Blue Cairns Earlville was crowned our 2026 winner.

More than making a great cup of coffee

At Jamaica Blue, coffee is central to what we do – and that means investing in the people who make it.

The Barista Competition was designed to challenge our team members across different aspects of the craft. From getting the basics right and delivering consistency in every cup to demonstrating more advanced techniques and creating signature beverages, competitors had the opportunity to show just how much goes into being a great barista.

It was also a chance to learn, share ideas and celebrate the people delivering the Jamaica Blue coffee experience in cafés every day.

Creating opportunities for café teams to grow

For our Franchise Partners, developing a skilled and engaged team is an important part of building a successful café.

That’s why Jamaica Blue’s approach to training goes beyond preparing people for their first day behind the coffee machine. Being part of the network opens the door to ongoing learning, development and opportunities for team members to challenge themselves.

A competition like this gives baristas a goal to work towards and a platform to demonstrate their talent on a bigger stage.

And for the teams watching from their cafés? It can provide plenty of inspiration for what they might achieve next.

The people behind the Jamaica Blue experience

When customers walk into Jamaica Blue, they see the finished product – a beautifully made coffee, great food and a welcoming café experience.

Behind that is training, systems, knowledge and, most importantly, passionate people.

For someone considering café ownership, that support can make a significant difference. As a Jamaica Blue Franchise Partner, you’re building your business as part of an established café network with training, operational expertise, marketing support and initiatives that help develop and celebrate the people within your café.

The 2026 Barista Competition was a fantastic example of that culture in action.

Congratulations to our Jamaica Blue Cairns Earlville winner and to every barista who stepped up to compete.

Could your café team be part of the next Jamaica Blue success story?

Explore Jamaica Blue franchise opportunities and discover what it means to build your café business with an established brand behind you.