The World of Coffee Busan 2024 took place at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center (BEXCO) from 1st to 4th May 2024, featuring the 2024 World Barista Championship. It marked the first World of Coffee Trade Show on the Asian continent and was a testament to the strong growth of the specialty coffee industry in this region. South Korea, in particular, has long been recognized as a destination for specialty coffee craft, technology, retail, research, and culture. The city of Busan, the second-largest city and coffee trade hub of South Korea, a natural destination for a specialty coffee trade show.
The world’s best Baristas represented their countries, demonstrating exceptional skills for a chance to claim the title of world champion. This event successfully attracted a significant number of attendees, with 281 companies from 72 countries and a total of 15,844 attendees, including 5,123 global visitors. Ten students from Taylor's Bachelor of International Hospitality Management, Diploma in Hotel Management and Diploma in Culinary Arts programme, enthusiastically volunteered to take on diverse responsibilities throughout the competition days. This experience provided them with invaluable opportunities to elevate their expertise and proficiency as Baristas. Their contributions ranged from aiding on the competition stage to overseeing brew bars and offering assistance to national-level Baristas.
Additionally, they had the opportunity to work with the past champions likes Mr. Anthony Douglas, the 2022 World Barista Champion from Australia, and gained valuable insights from industry experts. During the event, students not only honed their skills with a diverse selection of coffee beans sourced globally and mastered the latest hand brew equipment, but also expanded their horizons beyond the competition. They explored the annual world coffee exhibition, including the Roaster Village, where they encountered cutting-edge products from leading global coffee brands. Furthermore, they seized the opportunity to attend the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Lecture Series, broadening their understanding of coffee and benefiting from the expertise of respected industry professionals.
Participating in this event provided students with valuable practical experience and knowledge that they can apply in their future careers. Their active involvement contributed to the competition's success and was greatly appreciated. In conclusion, the participation of the students in the World of Coffee Busan proved to be a valuable and successful learning opportunity. They acquired new skills, expanded their knowledge as a Barista, and gained practical experience working alongside renowned world Baristas. Taylor’s Culinary Institute looks forward to future collaborations that will further enhance the students' learning experiences in the hospitality and culinary industry.