CHINA: The East Malaysian team returned victorious from the World Coffee Blending Championship (WCBC), held from March 5–8 in Guangzhou and Jiangmen, Guangdong, China.
The team comprised Ivershaun Voo and Vivian Liew from Sabah, and Angie Liaw from Sarawak, saw Ivershaun secure a prestigious Gold Award in the “Best Americano Blend” category.
Together, they showcased the unique charm of Bornean coffee on the global stage.
The East Malaysian delegation was jointly organised by the Borneo Coffee Alliance (Federation of Sabah Industries) and the Sabah-China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC).
This marked the second time these organizations led an East Malaysian barista team to the Global Finals.
The team was led by key representatives from both organisations, including Borneo Coffee Alliance Chairman Dick Lee, Vice Chairman Alexander Francis Yulik, committee members Lucas Tiong and James Lee, alongside SCCC Vice President Chew Heng Hock.
Dick, who also served as Competition Team Leader, said the achievement is not only a personal honour but also a major validation of East Malaysia’s coffee industry standards.
“By participating in the WCBC Global Finals, East Malaysian baristas competed with world-class talents, promoting Borneo’s unique coffee culture internationally while deepening Malaysia-China exchanges in the coffee industry and cultural sectors,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
As a professional competition focused on the “Art of Blending”, WCBC explores the possibilities of bean blending technology.
The team’s success marks a new milestone for Malaysian coffee craftsmanship on the international stage.
