Wakefield barista Charlie Denton brings UK win to Costa Coffee’s global final
After being crowned UK Barista of the Year 2026, Charlie Denton from Costa Coffee’s Wakefield Drive Thru store, is going to the global final.
Charlie, 25, who has been part of the Costa Coffee family for six years, impressed judges across two intense UK and Ireland rounds.
He perfected Costa Coffee’s signature drinks and created his original specialty beverage, the Caramelised Banana and Date Latte.
Now, Charlie joins two fellow UK and Ireland finalists, Shani Wallace (second place from Costa Coffee’s Nugent Shopping Park store) and Brandyn Kazali (third place from Costa Coffee’s store in Crowthorne), to compete against baristas from the UAE, Poland, and China.
Participants will be tested on precision, skill, and innovation across four rounds..
Charlie said: "Winning the UK and Ireland Barista of the Year was an incredible honour, and now to bring that experience to the global stage is exciting.
"Representing Wakefield, my store, and the UK is something I’m hugely proud of!”
After visiting the Wakefield Drive Thru store and congratulating Charlie on his Barista of the Year win, Wakefield MP Simon Lightwood, said: "Charlie’s achievement is fantastic news for Wakefield.
"To be named Costa’s UK&I Barista of the Year is a huge testament to his talent and hard work.”
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