Cynthia Ndedi wins first edition of The Cameroon Barista Championship
Cynthia NDEDI LOBE of Terrific Coffee has earned the crown of Cameroon Barista Champion on Friday, January 10, 2025, leading a fiercely competitive race comprising over twenty competitors.
This was during a weeklong competition that took place at the NCCB Central Laboratory in Akwa, Douala under the chairmanship of Michael NDOPING, General Manager of NCCB, accompanied by Mr Ngako Betrand, President of the Cameroon Chapter of the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) and other key personalities in the coffee sub-sector.
According to Régine Guion-Firmin, Head Judge and Senior Barista from AFCA, Ndedi Cynthia’s technique and creativity during her preparation of Espresso, Milk and Signature drinks, three of the compulsory drinks required by each finalist, earned her highest score.
Patrick Kollo emerged second, with Stéphane Edjenguele completing the podium. These top three contestants will represent Cameroon at African Barista Championship next month in Dar-Es-Salam, Tanzania.
Speaking during the event, General Manager of the NCCB, affirmed that the competition was in line with NCCB’s ambition to popularize coffee consumption in Cameroon.
‘The objective is to give Cameroonians the opportunity to consume coffee according to their taste and preference so that coffee should remain a global and accessible drink.
The championship set a new benchmark for coffee excellence in Cameroon, underscoring the National Cocoa and Coffee Board’s (NCCB) dedication to advancing the coffee industry.