In an exciting start to the ongoing World Brewers Cup Championship at the Specialty Coffee Expo Chicago 2024, the Specialty Coffee Association has announced the names of the qualifiers for the semi-final, totaling 12 individuals representing the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Sweden, Romania, South Korea, Taiwan, the Czech Republic, France, Austria, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Japan.

The association stated, “The World Brewers Cup Championship kicked off with enthusiasm in Chicago, as 41 talented competitors from around the world showcased their coffee brewing skills on the global stage. Amidst the aroma of freshly ground beans and the hum of espresso machines, the competition was fierce, but the spirit of sportsmanship filled the air.”

The association added, “After an exhilarating first day of competition, the following skilled competitors emerged victorious and will advance to the semi-final round:

• Tom Hutchins from Australia
• Patrik Rolf proudly representing Sweden
• Alex Niculae representing Romania
• Dongmin Kim from South Korea
• Erik Liao showcasing skills from Taiwan
• Frederick Bejo representing the United Arab Emirates
• Jackie Tran representing the Czech Republic
• Charity Cheung bringing French elegance to the table
• Martin Wölfl representing Austria
• Luca Croce displaying expertise from the United Kingdom
• Ryan Wibawa representing Indonesia
• Wataru Iidaka from Japan.

They have captivated audiences with their unique brewing techniques and dedication to the craft.”

“The stage is set for an exciting Semi-Final round, where they will face new challenges and push the boundaries of excellence in the world of coffee even further,” the association stated.

The association invited the public to join and follow the global event, saying, “Join us to watch the Semi-Final round this evening starting at 1:38 PM Central Time. You can witness the action firsthand at the Specialty Coffee Expo in Chicago or tune in to the live stream at chicago.wcc.coffee to catch every thrilling moment. Don’t miss out on the excitement as the world’s finest brewers compete for the World Brewers Cup Championship title!”