GreatEast Cup™
Get ready for Eastern Europe’s next-gen coffee championship
GreatEast Cup™ is a celebration of future-ready talent, where instinct, speed and creativity matter just as much as technical precision.
It’s a fun, inclusive, no-fuss, all-thrill throwdown, fueled by creativity, camaraderie and pure coffee passion.
3 Days. 2 competitions. 2 Rounds each.
No entry fees. No logistical headaches.
All essential gear provided.
Prizes worth competing for, whether you choose to join solo or team up.
Compete solo in Mastery Cup
Mastery Cup is a high-energy challenge designed to test it all – from the way you craft a drink to the way you own the stage.
The competition unfolds in two rounds:
Qualifiers, April 4th.
Signature Beverage Challenge – create and present an original recipe that showcases technique, flavor balance and creativity.
Finals, April 6th.
Espresso & Milk + Signature Beverage – dial in, serve an impeccable espresso, recreate a precise latte art design and perfect your signature drink.
The stakes? Big.
The GreatEast Barista: €1500 cash prize.
GreatEast Skills: a coffee trip to Nuova Simonelli in Italy.
GreatEast Craftsmanship & Service: a pro brewing kit.
Finalists also receive exclusive mystery boxes.
Team-up for Team Cup
The Team Cup is built for duos who move like clockwork, anticipate each other’s next move and deliver top-tier coffee under pressure.
The competition unfolds in two rounds:
Qualifiers, April 5th.
Speed Service Challenge – seven drinks, nine minutes, one seamless workflow.
Finals, April 6th.
Latte Art Throwdown – a blind draw, two intricate latte art designs, one last shot at proving your duo’s finesse and consistency.
The prizes? Worth every second of the grind.
The GreatEast Team: €2000 cash prize.
GreatEast Skills: a coffee trip to Nuova Simonelli in Italy.
All finalists get exclusive mystery boxes—because the best always get a little extra.
Meet the stellar line-up of judges
Samo Smrke
Deputy Head of the Coffee Excellence Center at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)
From post-harvest chemistry to extraction science, Samo turns complex data into better brews. A lead researcher with a PhD in Chemistry, educator, and co-author of the SCA Freshness and Water Handbooks, he’s shaping the future of coffee quality one variable at a time.
Rastislav „Rasty” Kasár
London Coffee Masters Champion | World Coffee in Good Spirits Champion
With a bartender’s precision and a barista’s finesse, Rasty redefines coffee mixology. From the Savoy’s American Bar to world championship podiums, he’s a force in coffee cocktails, blending technique, storytelling, and next-level flavor pairing.
Anastasiia Shishkina
Green Coffee Expert | Q Grader | Sales & Operations, Plotcoffee | International Judge Gems of Araku 2024
With 11 years in specialty coffee and a deep focus on sourcing and quality control, Anastasiia ensures the finest beans make it to roasters. As a Q Grader and international judge, she’s dialed into sensory evaluation, cupping protocols, and green coffee profiling.
Rana Ibrahim
Barista Hustle Arabic FOUNDER | Edda Arabica co-founder & Qahwet el Souq Founder | Q-grader
A leader in coffee education and cultural storytelling, Rana is dedicated to making specialty coffee accessible across the Arab world. From glossary development to hands-on training, she’s shaping a new wave of knowledge-sharing and sensory exploration.
Davide Orazi
New York Coffee Masters Champion | Project & Community Manager, WatchHouse
A competitor, judge, and coffee operations expert, Davide brings nearly a decade of specialty coffee experience. Committed to excellence in every aspect of the coffee journey, he combines deep technical knowledge with a commitment to fostering community within the specialty coffee scene.
Manos Mamakis
Two-Time WCIGS Runner-Up & Hellenic Aeropress Champion 2018
Master roaster, mixologist, trainer – Manos does it all.
With a track record of shaking up the competition scene, he’s back at COFFeEAST to bring more innovation, balance and bold flavors.
Gabriel Carol
Founder of PAGA Microroastery | Brewers Cup Champion, Judge & Q-GRADER
A specialist in sensory analysis, Gabriel’s focus is on dialing in clarity, complexity, and extraction efficiency. As a two-time Brewers Cup Champion and Q Grader, he’s dedicated to refining specialty coffee standards.
Alan Jarrar
Career barista | CEO at Jokes Aside Coffee Roasters & STAV SE Espresso bar
„Sometimes competitor, sometimes judge but always judging.” Alan is a coffee powerhouse with an eye for precision and a taste for perfection. Whether he’s coaching baristas or fine-tuning extractions, he’s always raising the bar.
Cosmin Mihailov
Bandit Coffee Shop FOUNDER | 17 Years in Specialty Coffee
„Taste is king and coffee is not an art but a matter of science.” With 17+ years of experience, he’s all about mastering extractions, refining techniques, and chasing complexity in every cup.
Miruna Tudose
Origo Coffee | Sensory Expert & World Class Romania Bartender of the Year 2024
Top 8 at London Coffee Masters. World Class Romania Champion. Chef-turned-barista. Miruna blends culinary creativity with coffee craftsmanship & mixology, crafting unforgettable flavor experiences.