SLOVAKIA 12th May 2011

In an incredibly strong and balanced competition, a participant in last year's Slovak Latte Art Championship, Monika Pálová won this year's Slovak Barista Championship in early May, National Coordinator Marian Galuška reports.

She managed to raise the level and quality of Slovak events, building on her experience working in one of the best cafes in Dublin, Ireland. She could well become the one to beat among the best of the Slovak baristas for some time to come.

In second place was last year`s winner, Stanislav Cibuľa, who used his traditional skills so well that deciding the winner was probably only down to his opponent's relaxed performance.

FInishing in third place was a very talented freshman from Kosice, Tomaš Štofan, who stood out from the others in front of the international jury as an unusual talent.

Heartiest congratulations to all the contestants! The winner of the Slovak Barista Championship 2011 travels to Bogota in June to defend the colours of Slovakia against international competition from over 60 countries at the World Barista Championship.

At the second edition of the Latte Art Championship, the leading position also changed. In this discipline Stanislav Cibuľa dominated the proceedings, and his cappuccinos convinced the jury that he should rightly take first place.

He came just ahead of a hopeful and very skillful Jana Práčková, whose slight hesitation cost her the title this year, but gave her second place overall, ahead of competition newcomer Soňa Lihocká. She is blessed with skillful hands and, especially, great attention to detail in preparing latte art.

We warmly congratulate the winner, and he goes to Maastricht to represent Slovakia in the World Championship--good luck to him!

The second Slovak Coffee in Good Spirits contest was marked by an overall improvement in the performance of the competitors. First place was won by Mayo Galuška, who triumphed over two other great baristas: Martin Hudák, a new face in the championships (who came second) and Štofan Tomaš, who finished in third place (as well as being Slovakia's third best barista in 2011).

Heartiest congratulations to all, as the winner is goes to Maastricht to represent Slovakia at the World Championships.

Pictured are new Slovak Barista Champion Monika Pálová, flanked by runners-up Stanislav Cibuľa and Tomaš Štofan.