UNITED KINGDOM 29th June 2010

Aysin Aydogdu of Mambocino Coffee in the UK in late June proved herself to be the best out of 13 national competitors in creating a perfect Mediterranean-style coffee along with the ideal atmosphere in which to serve it.

Her expertise won her the top prize in the SCAE's colourful and exotic World Cezve/Ibrik Championship, held during the London Event at Caffè Culture in London.

The Championship invites competitors to reproduce not only the flavour of perfect traditional coffee of the region, using the traditional cezve or ibrik, but also a bit of the atmosphere and culture of the region. As a result, there was a plethora of Middle Eastern costume and tableware on display, while some very accomplished belly dancing entertained the audience.

Aysin's 31 points from the sensory and visual judges gained her first place for the UK, while Reinhard Grebien of Austria came second. with 30 points, and Greece's Stavros Lambrinidis took third place with 29 points.

Pictured above: The winning contestants in the World Cezve/Ibrik Championship, with Champion Aysin Aydogdu second from right (Photo by Charles Prager); at left: Belly dancing entertained the audience (Photo by Tony Pike)