Singapore has crowned four of its top coffee professionals as national champions following the conclusion of the Singapore National Coffee Championship (SNCC) 2026, held over three days alongside SIGEP Asia, Specialty Food & Drinks Asia (SFDA), and Restaurant Asia.
Organized by the Singapore Coffee Association (SCA), this year’s championship brought together 63 competitors across four disciplines, showcasing the country’s growing specialty coffee scene. The winners will represent Singapore at their respective World Coffee Championships in 2027.
As Singapore’s premier annual coffee competition, SNCC serves as a platform for baristas, brewers, latte artists, and coffee tasters to demonstrate their expertise while providing a pathway to international competition.
Gabriel Lim claims national barista title
Gabriel Lim Yeok Sien, a barista from Glyph Supply Co., emerged as the winner of the Singapore National Barista Championship (SNBC) 2026. He will represent Singapore at the World Barista Championship in Tokyo, Japan, in 2027.
The competition tested participants’ technical skills and creativity by requiring them to prepare espresso, milk-based, and signature beverages.
Competing in the championship for the first time, Gabriel described the victory as surreal and expressed gratitude to his team for their support throughout his preparation.
Elysia Tan wins fourth Brewers Cup championship
Elysia Tan, Brand Manager at MAME Specialty Coffee, secured her fourth TIMEMORE Singapore National Brewers Cup title, reinforcing her status as one of Singapore’s most accomplished coffee brewers.
Having competed since 2018 and previously winning in 2024, Tan will represent Singapore at the World Brewers Cup in Bogotá, Colombia, in 2027.
The Brewers Cup focuses on manual coffee brewing techniques, highlighting precision, brewing skills, and service excellence. Tan said each competition presents new challenges and credited continuous refinement and preparation for her latest victory.
Zheng Yi Lim captures first Latte Art crown
Senior Barista Zheng Yi Lim of Cafe Kitsune claimed his first Singapore National Latte Art Championship title after previously finishing as second runner-up and first runner-up in earlier editions.
With more than 20 coffee competitions under his belt, Lim will represent Singapore at the World Latte Art Championship in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2027.
The competition evaluates competitors based on creativity, symmetry, contrast, and visual presentation through intricate milk-pouring techniques. Lim described the win as especially meaningful after years of competing and improving his craft.
Wong Li Ping tops Cup Tasters competition
Wong Li Ping, also known as Levina, a trainer at Torch Coffee, won the Singapore Cup Tasters Championship (SCTC) 2026. She was the only female competitor to reach the finals and will represent Singapore internationally in 2027.
Based in Kenya, Wong conducts coffee education programs for both local and international students, with a focus on supporting coffee-growing communities.
The Cup Tasters competition challenges participants to quickly and accurately distinguish subtle flavor differences among specialty coffees. Wong said her motivation comes from helping bridge the gap between coffee producers and the specialty coffee industry, noting that many farmers have never had the opportunity to taste the premium coffee they cultivate.
Raising Singapore’s specialty coffee standards
This year’s championship featured a mix of seasoned competitors and newcomers, reflecting the continued growth and maturity of Singapore’s specialty coffee industry.
According to SCA President Victor Mah, competitors demonstrated exceptional technical ability, consistency, creativity, and determination throughout the competition. He also acknowledged the contributions of judges from across Asia-Pacific, including Singapore, Australia, China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand, as well as the SCA organizing team.
Ilaria Cicero, CEO of IEG Asia and organizer of SIGEP Asia, said hosting SNCC alongside the exhibition continues to provide an important platform for showcasing Singapore’s coffee talent while supporting industry development and international opportunities.
The Singapore National Coffee Championship will return from July 14 to 16, 2027, at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore, where the country’s next generation of coffee professionals will once again compete for the chance to represent Singapore on the global stage.