HORECA Barista Competition Earns SCA Certification
Specialty Coffee Association Certification Granted to the HORECA Barista Competition at the
Regional Level
The HORECA Barista Competition has recorded a new milestone in its journey, obtaining official
certification from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) across Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait and
the Sultanate of Oman.
Held as part of HORECA Network, the competition has developed into a key platform bringing
together coffee professionals from across the region, where rising talent meets seasoned
expertise in an environment that honors precision, creativity, and craftsmanship. With this
certification, the competition enters a new phase of development, keeping pace with
internationally recognized standards and further reinforcing its position within the global coffee
scene.
From espresso preparation to milk-based beverages and signature recipes, all stages of
evaluation now follow the global standard systems set by the Specialty Coffee Association,
ensuring the highest levels of accuracy, transparency, and credibility. This framework reinforces
the competition’s position among leading international championships and contributes to raising
the level of professional coffee competitions across the region.
Going beyond the competition itself, the HORECA Barista Competition continues to consolidate
its role as a professional meeting point for the sector, where talents are discovered, skills are
refined, and relationships are built. This certification further strengthens the event’s ability to
connect regional expertise with international best practices and supports the growth of the
specialty coffee sector in a more dynamic and competitive way across the region.
“This achievement marks an advanced step within our ongoing commitment to raising industry
standards across the various markets in which HORECA operates,” said Joumana Dammous
Salamé, managing director of Hospitality Services. “Through this certification, we strengthen the
role of our competitions as trusted professional platforms that contribute to developing talent
and linking it to global standards and international competitions.”
Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Specialty Coffee Association, said: “What we have seen
across the HORECA Barista Competition is exactly what SCA certification recognizes -
professionalism, talent, and standards that hold up on a global stage. Earning that certification
across four markets is a significant achievement, and one that speaks directly to the competitors
and the commitment behind these events. For a competitor, this means the title they win on their
regional stage is evaluated against the same framework used worldwide and that recognition is
substantial. That is how we raise the standard of the industry and what this partnership is
about.”
About SCA: The Specialty Coffee Association is the largest global organization dedicated to this
industry, working to develop it through building an integrated global community and supporting
initiatives that make specialty coffee a thriving, equitable and sustainable sector across all parts
of the value chain. Through collaboration and progressive approaches, the SCA supports the
sector through research and knowledge development, international education, the
establishment of standards and the organization of events worldwide.
About Hospitality Services: Founded over 30 years ago, Hospitality Services specializes in
organizing hospitality and foodservice exhibitions and events across the region, including
HORECA Lebanon, HORECA Jordan, HORECA Kuwait, HORECA Riyadh, HORECA Oman,
Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie Dubai, Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie Riyadh and
Whisky Live Beirut. The company also has three platforms and publications that serve the
hospitality and tourism industries: Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon
Traveler.