The 2026 U.S. Coffee Championships season kicked off over the weekend in Seattle, Washington, with the first two events of the year. Taking over the central Olympia Coffee location, the Fine Drink Coffee and Latte Art Championships brought together over 30 coffee professionals from across the country to compete for spots in Sunday’s final rounds.
The events, particularly Coffee in Good Spirits, have attracted many familiar names to anyone who has paid attention to the USA Barista Championships over the years. Names like Gray Kauffman, Hugo Cano and Cris Mendoza, all of whom have competed at USBC multiple times and now can also call themselves Coffee in Good Spirits finalists.
It was an exhilarating weekend of coffee and a great way to start the 2026 season. Without further ado, here are the results of the 2026 USA Coffee in Good Spirits Championships and the 2026 USA Latte Art Championships.
Latte art
Master: Marco Monzon – Mandarin Coffee – Los Angeles, California
Runner-up: Ziah Bloom – Lamppost Coffee – Austin, Texas
Third: Weian “Andy” Liang – Hedge Coffee – San Francisco, CA
4.: Vasuwit “Dat” Sricumphoti – Coffee Religion – Las Vegas, Nevada
5th: Hovin He – Fresh York A NY – Fresh York, NOT
6th: Kayla Herrera – Iconik Coffee Roasters – Santa Fe, NM
Coffee in a good mood
Master: Hugo Cano – Texture Coffee – Newport Beach, California
Runner-up: Richelle Taylor – Olympia Coffee – Tacoma, WA
Third: Gray Kauffman – Seattle, WA
4th place: Alexander Bertrand – Goshen Coffee – Glen Carbon, IL
5th: Cris Mendoza – Saint Frank Coffee – San Francisco, California
6th: Christian Bak – Greenway Coffee – Houston, Texas
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists!
