From Bean to Brilliance: Taylor’s Students Explore the World Coffee Championships 2025 in Jakarta

From 15th to 17th May 2025, first-year students from the Diploma in Hotel Management embarked on an enriching educational journey to Jakarta, where they experienced one of the world’s most prestigious coffee events, the World Coffee Championships (WCC) 2025, held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC). Held alongside World of Coffee Asia, the event served as a gateway into Asia’s dynamic speciality coffee culture.

Participants, including roasters, baristas, producers, and entrepreneurs, gathered from across the globe to celebrate innovation, craftsmanship, and community in the heart of a coffee-producing region. The venue also hosted the World Brewers Cup (WBrC), an elite competition showcasing the artistry and skill of manual filter coffee brewing.

Throughout the visit, Taylor’s students had the opportunity to deepen their barista knowledge and hone essential hospitality skills. A particular highlight was engaging with two world-renowned champions: Anthony Douglas (World Barista Champion 2022, Australia) and Mikael Jasin (World Barista Champion 2024, Jakarta), who generously shared their experiences and professional insights.

As part of the WCC Experience Task, students engaged in hands-on learning, experimenting with unique coffee beans sourced globally and exploring the latest innovations in hand-brewing equipment. A memorable moment was their reunion with Clara Bella Vania, a Taylor’s alumna and Sales Manager at Diamond Milk, who introduced them to various milk and coffee bean profiles and facilitated practical training using the state-of-the-art La Marzocco coffee machine.

Adding a special touch to the experience, Albert Supandy, an alumnus of the Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Foodservice Management, hosted a dinner at the Grand Hyatt Jakarta. He shared his academic and entrepreneurial journey, encouraging students to cultivate strong professional networks. The evening concluded with a luxurious 5-star buffet, an unforgettable culinary experience. To round off the trip, the lecturer visited August, a renowned fine dining restaurant in Jakarta co-owned by Taylor’s alumnus Hans Christian, and enjoyed a curated 12-course tasting menu, an inspiring showcase of the global impact of Taylor’s graduates.

This immersive experience not only sharpened the students’ technical competencies but also inspired them through real-world exposure and alumni success stories, reaffirming Taylor’s commitment to excellence in hospitality and culinary education.