The 2018 Dubai International Coffee & Tea Festival (DICTF), the latest edition of the widely recognized coffee and tea expo in the Middle East, kicked off today (Wednesday, December 5, 2018) at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Set to run until December 7, 2018 at Hall 4, the show is host to the exciting Dubai International Coffee Championships, the world’s Richest Coffee Championship offering a prize pot of over USD 60,000.

The Championships will test the skills of all contenders in practical aspects of coffee making, including espresso, latte art, brewing skills, and food pairing. The Championship allows for UAE based barista competitors to work off the same stage as more experienced International competitors with the introduction of two distinct National & International Categories. The event is designed to enable UAE-based Baristas to engage with some of the world’s top barista talent and yet maintain their own ratings at National Level with the opportunity to win the National Level prizes

The winner of the International Competitor category will take home USD 40,000, while the International Runner-Up will win a cash reward of USD 5,000. The winner of the National Competitor category, on the other hand, will take away AED 15,000, with the National Runner-Up bagging AED 5,000.

Apart from the Championships, the 2018 edition of DICTF is also going to be packed with other activities showcasing the many facets of the coffee and tea industry. Various products and services will be put on display for three days, while SCI Café Management Strategy Development Workshop Program will make its debut this year. The program is designed for café owners, managers, and aspiring entrepreneurs who are interested in enhancing their staff management strategy for higher profitability prospects. To be delivered by experts who will be on-site to share their knowledge, experiences, and trade secrets, the Café Business course will empower attendees so that they can stand out and take the lead in the competition.

Anselm Godinho, Managing Director of International Conferences and Exhibitions, DICTF’s organizer, said: “The 2018 DICTF is opening against the backdrop of a bourgeoning coffee and tea industry in the local market. DICTF will provide individuals and businesses alike with a platform to capitalize on the thriving opportunities in the industry today via a host of learning, networking, and training activities. The Championships is one of the much-awaited events this year and we are confident that it will not disappoint as bigger cash prizes are at stake this year. Highly skilled contestants will also take part in the newest edition, making the Championships even more exciting and thrilling.”

“During the three-day event, we expect to see partners and clients collaborating to establish new business channels and discuss their upcoming projects and initiatives. The event will also be the time to explore fresh venues for expansion and growth. We are overwhelmed by the huge turnout on the first day and we are confident that more will come in the coming days to check out the products, services, and technological advancements in the production, storage and distribution of coffee and tea,” he added.

Seeking to set new benchmarks and raise consumer awareness and engagement, DICTF is featuring coffee, tea, bar and café products, equipment and services. It is the only dedicated event in the Middle East that gives access to a wide range of suppliers, products, and ideas and certified training programs, including the Certified Specialty Coffee Skills Program and SCA Foundations and Intermediate Level Training Workshops.  The offered barista training program is developed to help make a difference in coffee bar revenues. Winners of the Championships, meantime, will be revealed on the last day of the show.