BALINEWS.ID – The Milklab Bali Café Creation 2025 competition came to an exciting close on Wednesday at 70° Fahrenheit Café, Jimbaran, celebrating the creativity and innovation of Bali’s thriving café culture.
Running from July 20 to August 15, the event engaged coffee lovers across the island, who supported their favorite cafés through online voting and during the Milklab X Wheel Brews Free Coffee Days at Level 21 Mall and Living World Mall Denpasar. From thousands of votes, the 12 most popular cafés advanced to the Final Showdown.
“This event proves how far Bali’s coffee scene has grown. The creativity, storytelling, and skill of the baristas are truly impressive. Competitions like this not only highlight talent but also push the café community to keep innovating,” said Willy Sidewalk, The Head Judge for the competition.
Ahead of the grand finale, Milklab partnered with Excelso at Icon Mall, Sanur, to host a special Latte Lab with Anthony Douglas, 2022 World Barista Champion and Milklab Global Brand Ambassador. The event introduced six innovative “Taste of Nusantara” creations, blending Indonesian heritage flavors with plant-based milk, sparking greater awareness of the growing plant-based coffee trend in Bali.
The Final Showdown
On August 27, the finalists took center stage at 70° Fahrenheit Café, impressing both the audience and an expert panel of judges. Competitors were evaluated on visual presentation, storytelling, beverage aesthetics, taste appeal, and overall guest experience.
Judging Panel:
- Willy Sidewalk – Head Judge, veteran coffee professional, and 2011 Indonesia Barista Competition Champion
- Anthony Douglas – World Barista Champion 2022, Milklab Global Brand Ambassador
- Yande J. Wirawan – Head Barista & Coffee Trainer at Expat Roasters, Milklab Global Brand Ambassador
- Bili Yoga Wirawan – 2024 Best Restaurant Mixologist of the Year, Les Grandes Tables du Monde
- Karlie Cummins – Founder of Bali Buddies & Indo Buddies
Winners of Milklab Bali Café Creation 2025
- Yoga Diasa (Tlaga Singha) – Champion, winning IDR 10,000,000 cash + 1-year Milklab supply (worth IDR 12,000,000)
- Andre (Chandi Restaurant) – First Runner-Up, winning IDR 7,500,000 cash + 6-month Milklab supply (worth IDR 6,000,000)
- Ngurah Andi (Dimare Restaurant) – Second Runner-Up, winning IDR 5,000,000 cash + 3-month Milklab supply (worth IDR 3,000,000)
In addition, five lucky voters each won IDR 1,000,000, with winners to be announced via @milklabindo Instagram.
Elevating Bali’s Café Scene
Through this annual competition, Milklab aims to inspire baristas and elevate plant-based beverage creativity, showcasing how its range of products — including almond, oat, coconut, soy, and macadamia, can serve as the perfect canvas for specialty coffee innovation.
“By creating a platform for collaboration, experimentation, and skill-sharing, Milklab is empowering local cafés to lead the plant-based coffee movement in Indonesia,” added Willy.
Community and Collaboration
Milklab extended its gratitude to participating cafés, enthusiastic voters, and partners, including Wheel Brews, 70° Fahrenheit Café Jimbaran (venue partner), and valued sponsors such as PT Kurniamitra Duta Sentosa Tbk. (PT KMDS), Bali Blessindo, Dimatique, Faema, Monin, Lavazza, El Toro, and Cape Discovery.
Collaboration, Milklab emphasized, lies at the heart of its mission, with every activation serving as a chance to strengthen the café community and inspire baristas to push creative boundaries.
For cafés eager to collaborate further, Milklab invites registration for its Café ColLAB initiative via http://bit.ly/4otULId.
About Milklab
Launched in 2015, Milklab is Australia’s #1 plant-based barista milk brand, developed in collaboration with leading baristas, coffee roasters, and café professionals. Renowned for its creamy texture and ability to complement specialty coffee, Milklab offers premium alternatives, including almond, oat, coconut, soy, and macadamia — designed to enhance café-style beverages with both taste and sustainability. (*)
