Melbourne – QAHWA WORLD

The Coffee Industry Heroes Awards have revealed the 2026 finalists, recognizing individuals and businesses making a significant impact on Australia’s coffee industry. The awards, part of the Melbourne Coffee Expo 2026, will take place alongside the MICE Opening Party at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre – Courtyard Venue on Thursday, 26 March 2026, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Attendees are requested to wear cocktail attire.

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The awards highlight leaders across multiple categories, celebrating innovation, mentorship, sustainability, and community contribution.

  • 2026 Finalists

Best New Cafe

  • Almost French Epicure

  • Ratio Coffee Crows Nest

  • Sidecar Roasters

Coffee Educator (Mentor)

  • Ian Abadiano, Coffee Mentality

  • Danny Andrade, Blackboard Coffee Roasters

  • Nadia Araujo Moreira, Southland Merchants

  • Simon Gautherin, Zest Specialty Coffee Roasters

  • Nicole Motteux, Sustainable Coffee Advocate

  • Andres Roaster, Rubra Coffee

  • Chris Short, Cafetto

  • Joshua Walhain, Alternative Brewing

  • Li Wang, Sanjiangwater PTY LTD

Community Champion

  • Ian Abadiano, Coffee Mentality

  • Danny Andrade, Blackboard Coffee Roasters

  • Rodney Ayton, Bean Station Wodonga

  • Andres Felipe Ballesteros Zuluaga, Rubra Coffee Roasters

  • Jon Barnett, Slurpsup Sydney

  • Marcelline Budza, Rebuild Women’s Hope Cooperative

  • Nicole Motteux, Sustainable Coffee Advocate

  • Damien O’Brien, Coffee Foundation

Home Grown Hero

  • Ian Abadiano, Coffee Mentality

  • Rebecca Zentveld, Zentbeld’s Coffee, Farm and Roastery

Lifetime Achievement

  • Danny Andrade, Blackboard Coffee Roasters

  • Angelo Augello, Formerly Bean Alliance Group

  • Sebastián Farias Arcila, Far More

  • Melissa Floreani, Clark St Coffee Roasters

  • Jack Hanna, Single Estate

  • Stephen Hurst, Mercanta Ltd.

  • Nicole Motteux, Sustainable Coffee Advocate

  • Lucy Ward, ST. ALi Coffee

Next-Gen Talent

  • Justin Calpito, Honeybird Coffee

  • Hany Ezzat, Ona Coffee / Ni Wares

  • Danni Lubbe, London Tavern Hotel

  • Jerome and Micah Manion, More Matcha

  • Efthimios Tsiukardanis, Code Black

Sustainability Champion

  • Cateco Trading Pty Limited

  • Clark St Coffee Roasters

  • Coffee Mentality

  • GRADA

  • Grounded Packaging

  • Huskee (BioPak)

  • made by Fressko

  • Pablo & Rusty’s

  • Reground

  • Sustainable Coffee Advocate

The Coffee Industry Heroes Awards honour those who advance Australia’s coffee culture, from innovative cafes and sustainable operators to influential educators and community champions. The announcement of the 2026 finalists marks a key milestone ahead of the Melbourne Coffee Expo 2026, which runs from 26 to 28 March.