Gateshead Starbucks barista crowned the best in the UK

Diana Bespalova, known as Dee, has been crowned the UK’s best Starbucks barista at the 2024 Starbucks UK National Barista Championships.

Dee, who is based at Starbucks’ Metrocentre store, saw off competition from more than 16,000 baristas across the country to be crowned the national champion.

The annual competition tests entrants on their coffee craft, knowledge and expertise.

Regional contestants were whittled down a final ten who travelled to the Starbucks HQ, in London, to battle it out for the title.

Dee, who moved from Lativia to Newcastle at the age of three, had to prove her expertise by tasting and identifying different Starbucks coffee blends and demonstrate her technical ability by pouring coffees such as a latte, flat white and macchiato.

She then had to impress the judges with a drink of her own creation, opting for an apple crumble oat shaken espresso, which featured her own homemade apple cinnamon syrup.

The final challenge saw Dee demonstrate her passion for coffee and ow she would use the platform of UK Barista Champion to inspire others in the industry.

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Following her win, Dee commented: “Participating in the Starbucks UK Barista Championships was an exhilarating journey.

“Prepping for it was a rollercoaster, but the unwavering support from my parents and fellow baristas gave me the confidence boost I needed to succeed.

“It’s not just about the competition, but about embracing the art of coffee making and challenging yourself to create something extraordinary."

Dee joined Starbucks while she was studying pharmacology at the University of Newcastle in August 2021.

She then took on additional training to become a ‘Coffee Master’ and earned a black apron within her first year at the company.

Now Dee will spend the next two months preparing to compete against Starbucks baristas from 42 markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), in the hope of being crowned the best in region, the 2024 EMEA Barista Champion in September.