Luciano Marcolino celebrates winning the Barista of the Year Championship with runner up, Laura Green.
Christ church's Luciano Marcolino has been crowned New Zealand's best barista at the national championships in Wellington over the weekend.
A nine-strong field contested the final after regional competitions held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch during March and April.
A seven-strong juding panel, headed by accredited world barista championship judge Chris White, sampled the baristas' best brews over 2½ hours.
The nine finalists each had to prepare four short espressos, four cappucinos and four signature drinks in their 25-minute slot at Wellington's Caffe L'Affare.
Second place in the competition went to Wellington's Laura Green, of Mojo.
Mr Marcolino, of Luciano Espresso Bar in Christchurch, will travel to Copenhagen next month to represent New Zealand at the world championships.
