A 31-year-old Filipina has emerged victorious at the 2024 UAE National Brewers Cup Championship, held from November 26 to 28 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) during the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition (ADIFE). Organized by the Specialty Coffee Association of the UAE, the prestigious competition brought together 14 elite coffee brewers to showcase their skills and passion for specialty coffee.
Currently a trainer and content creator at Brewing Gadgets, Mariam Erin has been based in the UAE for eight years. Reflecting on her journey, she shared with The Global Filipino Magazine how her background in Food Technology and experience as a barista ignited her passion for coffee.
“I earned my degree in Food Technology back in the Philippines and started my career working in a food lab and later in manufacturing. But I realized I wanted something more dynamic, so I ventured into the food service industry. Working in a country where specialty coffee is thriving was the perfect environment to grow and learn,” she said.
Erin’s road to the championship was not a solo effort. “Preparation was 100% a team effort—it’s never a one-person show. From selecting the coffee to roasting and brewing sessions, everyone played a crucial role,” she explained. She credited her success to the collaborative support of her team at Brewing Gadgets and her coach Bagus from White Mantis, along with contributors from Encounter, Specialty Batch, and Charlie and Friends. “Having such a diverse group of people rooting for me showed how open and collaborative the coffee community really is,” she added.
For Erin, competing is not just about winning but giving back to the coffee community. “Competitions challenge you, teach you, and give you a platform to inspire others. It’s about sharing experiences that elevate every link in the coffee chain—from farmers to roasters, cafés, and beyond,” she emphasized.
As a Filipina in Dubai, Erin values adaptability in her brewing approach, shaped by her cultural heritage. “Back home, we have ‘Kapeng Barako,’ a bold coffee tradition, but here, it’s about respecting different palates. That adaptability inspired me to innovate and create. In fact, it pushed my team and me to design our own coffee dripper to elevate the brewing experience,” she revealed.
Looking ahead, Erin is preparing for the 2025 World Brewers Cup Championship in Indonesia while working on café projects in both the Philippines and the UAE. “As part of the Brewing Gadgets team, I’m committed to continuing our mission of giving back to the coffee community. Training starts soon, and I can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes me,” she said.
