Jack Simpson has successfully claimed first place at the 2025 Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) Oatly Barista Championship.

This will be the third consecutive year Jack has won the title while working at Axil Coffee Roasters in Melbourne, Victoria. The win has secured him a spot on the world stage, where he will represent Australia at the World Barista Championship in Milan later this year.

“This routine meant a lot to me as I was inspired by the producer of my coffee, Johnathon Gasca, so to represent him was a privilege,” Jack told BeanScene following the victory.

“I’m feeling great after the win, this time felt a bit different from previous years. Lots of hard work went into it from not just me but the whole team here at Axil.”

Axil Coffee Roasters shared their excitement on social media shortly after the announcement.

“A huge congratulations to you @jacksimpson32 on this incredible achievement. All of us here at Axil Coffee are beyond proud of you and have all been witness to your hard work and dedication,” the Instagram post read.

“Stay tuned as he prepares to represent Australia and Axil Coffee at the World Barista Championship in Milan!”

The annual competition, which celebrates the best of Australia’s specialty coffee talent, saw fierce competition this year. Gabrel Tan of Veneziano Coffee Roasters earned his third straight runner-up finish, while former Coffee in Good Spirits finalist Tony Xie of Plus Two Coffee placed third.

Jack’s preparation for the competition was both technical and deeply personal. In a pre-championship Instagram reel, he reflected on his journey.

“Speciality coffee has played an important role in my life. I have been preparing for this competition for a long time,” he said.

“I’d like to say every year it gets easier but that’s not the case. It’s always a challenge.”

His ambitions to gain a connection to the origins of coffee has become a driving force in his craft.

“Being a barista in a café, I get to share the information I’ve learned with customers and really bring up the value of what specialty coffee means,” he said, speaking about the insights he gained from visiting coffee farms in Colombia and Panama.

Founded in 2010 by David and Zoe Makin, Axil Coffee Roasters has become a powerhouse in Australian specialty coffee. With a strong foundation in Melbourne and a commitment to sustainable sourcing, the brand boasts one World Barista Championship title and now seven Australian titles, underscoring its reputation for excellence.

As Jack sets his sights on Milan, he admitted it was hard to wrap his head around going to worlds again.

“… because I was so focused on the national championship,” he said.

“I’ll definitely take the next few days to refocus on the next goal, and hopefully I make Australia proud!”