Five finalists, meticulous coffee craftsmanship, and scope for personal creativity. The Czech national round of the Vergnano World Cup 2026 decided who would represent the Czech Republic at the world final in Turin, Italy. The winner was Filip Šuba from Marina Ristorante in Prague, who, competing against four other finalists, impressed the expert judging panel across all competition disciplines. Meanwhile, Jiří Švarc from Ristorante Italiano Buschetto caught the eye of the press jury most of all with his original signature drink.
From a perfectly brewed espresso to his own coffee cocktail
The Sky Lounge at the NH Hotel Prague City hosted the Czech national round of the Vergnano World Cup 2026, a competition that combines the art of barista craftsmanship, creativity, and the ability to perform under pressure. Here, the five finalists demonstrated that preparing high-quality coffee is not just a matter of the right recipe, but also of fine-tuning the equipment, understanding the raw ingredients, and meticulously monitoring every step. The competitors had to complete several disciplines, each of which tested a different aspect of their work. The foundation was the correct setting of the grinder, which fundamentally influences the extraction process and the resulting flavour of the espresso. This was followed by its preparation and the assessment of its appearance, aroma, and, above all, flavour profile.
The next challenge involved preparing two cappuccinos, including latte art, where, alongside technical precision, the ability to froth the milk correctly and create an aesthetically pleasing result was also demonstrated. The final discipline centred on the signature drink—an original beverage based on the competitor’s own recipe. It was here that the finalists were given the greatest opportunity to showcase their personality, experiment with flavours, and demonstrate how coffee can be interpreted beyond its traditional form. The performances were judged by a four-member expert panel led by Austrian coffee expert McCrey Guillory. They assessed not only technical skills and the quality of the drinks prepared, but also creativity and overall presentation. The result was therefore not decided by a single well-made cup, but by the interplay of several disciplines, which together tested the competitors’ versatility.
Filip Šuba is heading to Turin with the ambition to win
Filip Šuba from Marina Ristorante in Prague coped best with all the tasks; he emerged as the winner of the Czech national round and earned the chance to represent the Czech Republic at the world final. This will take place at the end of October in Turin, Italy, at Juventus Stadium, where the Czech winner will compete against representatives from other countries. For Šuba, victory represents not only recognition of his work to date, but also an opportunity to measure his skills against international competition.
“Winning the Czech final is a dream come true for me. The chance to represent the Czech Republic at the world final is a huge opportunity, for which I am truly grateful to Caffè Vergnano. But I’m heading to the final with a clear goal. I don’t just want to take part; I want to fight for victory,” says Filip Šuba. His ambition reflects the nature of the competition, which, alongside technical skills, also emphasises the ability to handle challenging situations and present one’s work on the international stage.
According to Kristián Tomčo, coffee marketing manager at Coca-Cola HBC Czech Republic and Slovakia, this year’s final demonstrated the high standard of Czech baristas. “All five finalists displayed excellent technical skills, creativity, and a feel for coffee, so the jury’s decision was not an easy one. However, Filip managed to perform at a very high standard across all disciplines and deserved his victory. I believe he has everything it takes to succeed in the world final in Turin and to represent the Czech Republic brilliantly,” said Tomčo. The Czech representative now faces further preparation for the competition, in which he will have to demonstrate his skills once again before an international jury and against the winners of the national rounds.
Jiří Švarc impressed the journalists; his own signature style proved decisive
Alongside the expert judging, the press jury also had its say, focusing on the signature drinks of all five finalists. The winner was Jiří Švarc from Ristorante Italiano Buschetto, whose competition drink impressed with its combination of coffee, fruit, and other ingredients. In his recipe, he combined Bacardi Carta Negra rum, Vergnano espresso, fresh raspberries, and sugar syrup. The result was an original drink that demonstrated the wide range of possibilities coffee offers when creating beverages that go beyond traditional espresso or cappuccino.
“Winning this award is an incredible feeling and a huge joy for me. In my competition cocktail, I combined Bacardi Carta Negra, Vergnano espresso, fresh raspberries, and sugar syrup. I enjoy experimenting and seeking out unusual combinations, so I’m all the more delighted that this particular one also appealed to the jury,” says Jiří Švarc.
The differing results from the expert and press juries also highlighted two aspects of contemporary barista culture: an emphasis on technical quality and consistent craftsmanship on the one hand, and the search for new flavour combinations on the other. Both, however, are united by the use of high-quality ingredients, precision, and the ability to transform the preparation of a drink into a carefully crafted experience.
The Vergnano World Cup is an international platform that supports talented baristas and promotes a culture of high-quality coffee. The competition is organised by the Italian family-run company Caffè Vergnano, whose history dates back to 1882. The roastery is based in Santena, near Turin, and sells its products in more than 90 countries worldwide. This year’s Czech final demonstrated that the path to success lies in mastering the basics, having a keen sense of flavour, and adopting a distinctive approach. While Jiří Švarc received recognition from the journalists’ jury, Filip Šuba faces his biggest challenge at the end of October. In Turin, he will attempt to turn the Czech victory into success on the world stage.
