South African to judge World Barista Championship in Columbia

2011 World Barista Championship judge, Lani Snyman.

Snyman is the founder of the Coffee Academy and joined forces with Ciro last year to create the Ciro Coffee Academy, shaping the most accomplished and recognised coffee training service provider in the industry. She recently qualified as a World Barista Championship judge at a certification workshop held by the World Barista Championship in Tolentino, Italy.

WBC certified judges from around the world evaluate each performance on the taste of beverages served, cleanliness, creativity, technical skill, and overall presentation.

Snyman's schedule included judging baristas from Belgium, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Germany, Italy, Kenya, Korea and Lithuania. Lani is among a panel of world class judges including world renowned 2008 World Barista Champion, Steven Morrissey of Ireland and 2010 World Barista Champ Michael Phillips from the US.

This platform is providing her with insights into the global coffee industry. "The experience has given me the opportunity to taste different coffees from across the globe and provided me with an in-depth knowledge of displaying coffees in unique and different ways," she says.