The Roast Masters competition at The Amsterdam Coffee Festival is the ultimate battleground for Europe’s finest roasters. Over three days, competitors face off in a series of challenging disciplines that test their technical skills, creativity, and ability to produce world-class coffee.

From cupping and the order challenge to live roasting and latte art showdowns, each round is designed to push competitors to their limits and celebrate the artistry and science of specialty coffee.

Here’s an inside look at the various rounds and disciplines that make up the competition, with an overview of how each test will unfold and what the judges are looking for.

#1 The Espresso Presentation
The Qualifying Rounds
Roasters are given 12 minutes to present an espresso of their choosing from their portfolio. This is their moment to showcase their best work, highlighting their expertise in both coffee selection and preparation. Points are awarded on taste, flavour, professionalism, methodology, hospitality, showmanship and the overall presentation of the coffee

#2 The Cupping Table
Day 1 & Day 2
On Day 1, each competitor is given 90 minutes to create a roast profile for a mystery single-origin coffee using the Aillio Bullet Roaster. On Day 2, the sample roasts are cupped by the judges, with scoring based on taste and flavour. During the final, the two finalists will present a second mystery coffee to be cupped and judged.This round tests the competitors' ability to highlight the inherent qualities of a coffee while mastering the roast profile.

#3 The Espresso Smackdown
A head-to-head format where competitors bring three coffees: a light single origin, a medium single origin, and a blend.

• Three rounds: light vs light, medium vs medium, and blend vs blend.
• Best tasting coffees win each round 

#4 The Order Challenge
In this round, competitors must use their own coffees to create 10 drinks as per a specified order within 9 minutes.

• The drinks featured are commonly found on specialty café menus, so technical accuracy and quick execution are key.
• Scoring: Drinks are either 'passed' or 'failed' based on balance, extraction, mouthfeel, and handling. Each passed drink earns 3 points, while failed drinks receive 0 points.

#5 The Latte Art Showdown
Here’s where the fun meets precision! Competitors roll the dice to determine which shape they’ll have to pour, with a best of three format.

• Judged on appearance, this round challenges baristas to create beautiful and precise latte art under pressure. Whether it's a heart, rosette, or tulip, it's all about flawless execution and creativity.

#6 The Brew Face-Off
Roasters are given 15 minutes to prepare a filter roast from their own portfolio.

• Judging: The brew will be assessed based on taste, presentation, and showmanship. This round highlights the versatility of the roaster beyond espresso.

#7 The Signature Drink
This is where creativity takes centre stage. Competitors are given 12 minutes to create a signature beverage using mystery ingredients provided on the day. This is the moment for roasters to showcase their innovation and push the boundaries of what’s possible with coffee.

#8 The Espresso Blend
In this round, roasters are presented with a selection of mystery roasted single-origin coffees.

• Competitors must craft a bespoke espresso blend, which will be evaluated through an espresso and cappuccino.
• Judging: The balance and flavour complexity of the espresso and cappuccino will determine the winner. This is a true test of a roaster’s ability to create a harmonious and distinctive blend.

 

The disciplines span every aspect of coffee making, from technical precision to pure creativity, ensuring only the most skilled and innovative teams make it to the top. So, grab your seat and get ready to watch the finest roasters battle for the ultimate title!