Beverage Solutions Company,
DaVinci Gourmet Is Focused On Building a Coffee Community Through Competitions, Brand Ambassadors
and More
Efforts such as the inaugural Barista Craft Championship resulted in advocates for their artisanal syrups as well as awareness amongst the cafe community.
10 February 2025
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Photo Credit: DaVinci Gourmet
For over three decades DaVinci Gourmet has been a leading supplier of premium syrups, sauces, and beverage ingredients to the global drinks industry. What began in 1989 in Seattle with just a handful of flavoured syrups has since evolved into a brand with vast presence and an extensive product portfolio. DaVinci Gourmet is part of Kerry, a global taste and nutrition company. Through Kerry’s proprietary technologies for natural extracts, flavours, and taste functionality, DaVinci Gourmet has established itself as a sought-after brand in the café industry.
Community Building Through Craft and Competition
At the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship finals in Singapore | Photo Credit: DaVinci Gourmet
DaVinci Gourmet is committed to building a vibrant coffee community through initiatives such as the inaugural Barista Craft Championship, the Flavour Genius Academy, and its network of regional brand ambassadors, among others.
In 2024, the brand launched a coffee competition of global scale and massive reach. Under the theme ‘United Through Coffee’, the competition brought together 15 finalists from over 30 countries, generating significant buzz within the industry across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Since its launch in August 2024, the competition received over 780 online submissions, leading to 110 national finalists. The Middle East alone saw 136 entries.
The competition culminated in a grand finale at FHA HoReCa in Singapore in October 2024, where Emerson Nascimento (Latin America), Chatuphon Jannongva (Thailand), and Masanori Fujikura (Japan) were the winners.
(From L to R) Masanori Fujikura, Emerson Nascimento, and Chatuphon Jannongva accepting their prizes at DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft World Champion 2024 | Photo Credit: DaVin Gourmentci
“DaVinci Gourmet and Kerry are true pioneers in flavour innovation—this competition allowed us to push the boundaries of coffee craftsmanship and provided valuable insights on enhancing the sensory experience of coffee, which I will take home with me,” says Emerson Nascimento, upon winning the title of DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft World Champion 2024.
Through efforts such as these that target, build and foster community, DaVinci Gourmet ensures its products are placed in the hands of the top baristas and coffee crafters, who, in turn, introduce these flavours and novel pairings to their customers and coffee-loving network.
“The winners of the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Championship 2024 have played a pivotal role in promoting our range of flavours and artisanal syrups by embodying the essence of innovation and artistry that defines our brand. These talented baristas will continue to inspire and educate the global coffee community with their creativity and craft,” says Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager, Foodservice Brands, Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa.
Educating Through the Flavour Genius Academy
Launched a few years before the Barista Craft Championship, the Flavour Genius Academy is a first-of-its-kind platform dedicated to professional training and development for café professionals, including baristas, charistas, and mixologists across the APMEA region.
The academy offers training, allowing members to hone their craft, upload and share drink recipes, and access a central recipe library – ensuring members make the best use of Kerry’s product range while tapping into key drink trends. It also hosts monthly virtual gatherings, providing a space for industry professionals to exchange ideas, learn best practices, and stay connected. Additionally, DaVinci Gourmet has partnered with the ASEAN Coffee Institute (ACI) to offer specialised training modules for those looking to advance in the coffee industry—whether as a barista, café owner, mixologist, or sensory expert. ACI is the official coffee training and education body formed by the ASEAN Coffee Federation
(ACF) – further strengthening DaVinci Gourmet’s commitment to professional development.
Mikael Jasin is DaVinci Gourmet’s first brand ambassador for the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (APMEA) region | Photo Credit: DaVinci Gourmet
Ambassadors Of The Coffee Craft
Furthering its investment in the global coffee community, DaVinci Gourmet recently announced Mikael Jasin as its first brand ambassador for the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (APMEA) region. Jasin, who is based in Indonesia, is a 2024 World Barista Champion and will represent DaVinci Gourmet at events, campaigns, and innovation initiatives over the next year.
Partnering with an industry figure of Jasin’s calibre enhances DaVinci Gourmet’s brand value, further cementing its role as a leader in the coffee industry.
Through its global coffee initiatives, professional training programmes, and strategic partnerships, DaVinci Gourmet is not just a supplier of beverage solutions—it is a driving force behind coffee craftsmanship and education. By nurturing a strong network of baristas, café professionals, and ambassadors, the brand continues to foster a thriving coffee community that, in turn, champions its B2B range of products.
Photo Credit: DaVinci Gourmet
Author: Priyanka C. Agarwal
Priyanka is a writer, editor and storyteller. Her words have appeared on the print and online pages of The South China Morning Post, SilverKris, Her World, The Michelin Guide, Time Out, and more. She has also created custom content for leading brands like Sentosa, Mediacorp Special Projects, Asia’s 50 Best, IKEA, and Meat and Livestock Australia. Her expertise includes food and drink, wellness, luxury and travel.
