Thrilling contest sees Russia’s Valentina Kazachkova take World Cup Tasters Championship

30th June 2009

In a final that was decided on the very last cup, Russia’s Valentina Kazachkova won the World Cup Tasters Championship at Wonderful Coffee Cologne in late June.

During the thrilling final round, played out in front of a packed audience at the Koelnmesse and webcast live all around the world, the Russian cup taster achieved eight correct cups out of eight, just ahead of the other three finalists.

They were Bart van Sanden of Belgium, who was the runner-up, Japan’s Ejiro Goto, who came third, and Ben Kaminsky, winner of the first American Cup Tasting Championship, who was fourth.

Following the Championship final, the speciality coffees used in the contest from all over the world were presented to the audience for sampling, this year including a range of Indian varieties.

You can see details of the farms behind the full range of speciality coffees from all over the world used at this year's World Cup Tasters Championship, as well as more information about the Championship itself, by downloading the official Guide by clicking here. 

Pictured left to right: Ben Kaminsky (USA), Ejiro Goto (Japan), winner Valentina Kazachkova of Russia and Bart van Sanden (Belgium).