Salento man to compete in coffee championship in Seoul

Rimini - Francesco Masciullo, aged 25, is the new 2017 Italian coffee champion. Mr Masciullo, originally from Salento, lives in Florence where he works as the head barista at 'Ditta Artigianale', a chain of cafeterias that focus on specialty coffees. He won the 2017 Italian championship at SIGEP, the International Fair on pastry, bread and coffee making, which runs until Jan. 25 in Rimini. Mr Masciullo challenged 6 competitors preparing 4 espresso coffees, 4 cappucinos and 4 alcohol-free coffee beverages in 15 minutes with coffee beans from Kenya, Colombia and Costa Rica. The young man stepped on the podium before Davide Cavaglieri, from Brescia, and Angelo Segoni, the outgoing champion. Mr Masciullo will represent Italy at the 2017 World Barista Championship to take place in Seoul in November. "Winning feels good, but it is important to remember that behind every victory is a lot of work, research and sacrifice," said Mr Masciullo. "After this adventure, I'll come back to Florence to continue working for 'Ditta Artigianale' and get ready for the world championship, where I hope to represent Italy at my best." Mr Masciullo attended a coffee-making course with Sanapo, through Caffe Corsini, and from that moment he fell in love with coffee beans. He moved to Florence where he started working as a bartender for three years, and then moved to London to specialise in specialty coffees. "It was a great opportunity. I hate to say this, but oftentimes abroad 'specialty coffee culture' is much more developed than in Italy. Luckily, however, things are changing here too, and new and interesting options, as well as top professionals, are emerging," added Mr Masciullo.