Konstantinos Komnnakis Triumphs at the World Cezve/Ibrik Championships

Congratulations to Konstantinos Komnnakis who was crowned the World Cezve/Ibrik Champion yesterday.

Now in its ninth year, the tournament attracted nineteen entrants from all corners of the globe to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. And after a fiercely heated final showdown, Komninakis emerged victorious with Hazak Atesoglu (Turkey) in second and Karthikeyan Rajendran (UAE) third.

Organised by the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) and World Coffee Events, the World Cezve/Ibrik Championships celebrates one of the most revered and famous manual brewing methods in the world.

With its origins rooted in the Arabic world, the cezve (or ibrik) is popular in many parts of the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.

The competitors had to make two drinks – one traditional cezve-prepared coffee and one signature option that allowed the entrants to display their creativity and culture.

Komnnakis’ victory was a shock result.

Speaking after the event to the assembled media, he admitted that he was a newcomer to the world of competitive brewing.

“The National Greek Championships were my first time competitive and to go on from there and win the world title [is] amazing,” he said.

The first-time competitor used a coffee from the renowned Panamanian coffee producer Graciano Cruz.

2015’s victor, Davide Berti of Italy, did not take part in the Emirates, though this year saw nineteen entrants as opposed to the eight that battled it out last time around.

Overall, the event has gone down as a huge success.

“Hosting the World Cezve/Ibrik Championship here at the Dubai World Trade Centre during the Gulfood [exhibition] was an easy decision for us to make,” commented the SCAE’s Executive Director, David Veal.

“The response we have seen from the audience here is overwhelming,” he added.