Everlee Peran, a Filipino based in Dubai, recently made waves in the coffee industry after representing the UAE in the Lavazza My Mocaccino Barista Challenge held in Italy in early 2023. Everlee, who came in second place, has become a local hero and role model in her community, inspiring aspiring baristas to follow their passion and pursue their dreams.
In an exclusive interview, Everlee shared her experience competing in the international barista competition and how she prepared for it. She revealed that she finalized her signature drinks and composed her spiels in December 2022, and practiced every day to deliver her message of coffee experience and craft to the finals. She also talked about the challenges she faced while competing abroad, such as managing the packing of her tools and equipment and looking for ingredients in Italy.
Despite the challenges, Everlee considered being on stage showing her skills and performance as one of the best highlights of the competition. She also expressed her joy in being able to connect with other coffee enthusiasts and share ideas, experiences, and learnings.
When asked about how it felt to be crowned as the Lavazza Barista Challenge Champion, Everlee humbly stated that she felt privileged and that her purpose was to inspire other baristas and coffee enthusiasts. She encouraged aspiring baristas to follow their hearts and never give up, no matter how many setbacks they may encounter.
Everlee started her barista career in 2015 in a local homegrown coffee shop in the Philippines, where she discovered her passion for making latte art. She continued to seek more knowledge in coffee, which eventually led her to work in the UAE, where she met a great barista community in Dubai that motivated her to pursue her passion even more.
Overall, Everlee’s experience competing in the Lavazza My Mocaccino Barista Challenge taught her to be strong and courageous, to enjoy and be prepared ahead of time, and to elevate her skills and knowledge in coffee. She keeps herself up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations in the coffee industry by watching coffee vloggers on YouTube and staying updated with the Specialty Coffee Association’s updates.
Everlee Peran’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring baristas and coffee enthusiasts. Her passion, dedication, and hard work have taken her to international stages, where she has become a respected figure in the coffee industry.