BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Images courtesy of The Barista League
The Barista League’s 2026 North America cease had already made an announcement earlier than a single shot was pulled. Returning to Atlanta for the second time (town first hosted the occasion in 2023), the 2026 version at The Loft, which occurred on September third, introduced collectively six groups from throughout the continent, seven roasters within the Roasters Village, and a crowd that crammed the room for a night that managed to really feel like each an trade gathering and a correct night time out.
When the scores got here in, the winners had been two of Atlanta’s personal: Sean Lumpkin, founding father of Peach Pit ATL and a well-known face within the metropolis’s espresso group, and Solar Le, latte artwork competitor and occasional educator. Competing as Espresso Rush Hour, they took the win in entrance of a house crowd—which, because it seems, adjustments issues.
We caught up with Sean and Solar to speak by their preparation, their strategy on stage, and what it felt prefer to win within the metropolis they name dwelling.
Barista Journal: Congratulations in your win! How did you put together for The Barista League competitors? Did you may have a technique getting into?
Sean & Solar: At the beginning, thanks! We each share a real ardour for what we do within the espresso group, so once we received collectively to construct our idea, we simply leaned into what felt pure to us. We wished our presentation to really feel genuine—not rehearsed or pressured. We brainstormed our theme fairly rapidly and spent most of our preparation time refining the drinks and the circulate of service. Our technique was easy: Be ourselves, have enjoyable, and present our love for espresso and group.
How did you purpose to face out from the opposite groups, whether or not in strategy, fashion, or power?
Sean & Solar: We knew getting into that there can be extremely proficient groups from throughout North America and past, so we centered much less on attempting to “beat” anybody and extra on exhibiting up as totally ourselves. Atlanta has such a wealthy, vibrant tradition, and we wished to convey that power into our efficiency. We leaned into storytelling, heat, and real reference to our judges. We additionally put numerous thought into our drinks—ensuring each informed a part of our story whereas additionally being scrumptious and well-crafted.
What makes The Barista League completely different from different competitions, and what did you’re keen on most about it?
Sean & Solar: The Barista League felt refreshingly human. It’s much less about technical perfection and extra about expertise, connection, and creativity. We cherished that it celebrated the complete spectrum of what espresso might be—not simply what’s within the cup, however the story, the service, the sensation you permit somebody with. That’s what we care about most in our day by day work, so competing in a format that values these issues felt proper.
How did the crew dynamic work between the 2 of you? Any humorous or memorable moments from backstage?
Sean & Solar: Our dynamic was actually actually clean. We’re each fairly easygoing and we simply vibed nicely collectively from the beginning. Backstage, the power was nice—good vibes solely! Everybody was so supportive of one another, which actually set the tone. One factor that stood out was simply how genuinely excited we had been. We stored saying “That is so enjoyable” to one another, which helped maintain the nerves in verify.
One distinctive side of The Barista League is the dwell interplay with judges. How was that have for you, particularly with the ability to reply and interact in actual time?
Sean & Solar: This was actually one among our favorite components of the entire expertise. We approached the judges not as judges, however as VIP company we had been internet hosting—folks we genuinely wished to deal with and have a good time with. That mindset shift made all of the distinction. As an alternative of feeling evaluated, it felt like an actual dialog, which is precisely what nice hospitality ought to really feel like. We had been in a position to reply naturally, share our story within the second, and browse the room in a means that felt alive relatively than scripted.
Let’s rewind—what received every of you began in espresso, and what’s stored you hooked?
Sean: I fell in love with espresso by the group round it. I began as a barista years in the past and rapidly realized that espresso was a lot greater than a drink—it was an area the place folks got here collectively, the place creativity flourished, and the place you would construct one thing actual. That’s why I began Peach Pit ATL. Espresso retains me hooked as a result of it’s at all times evolving, and so is the group round it.
Solar: For me, it began with latte artwork. I used to be utterly captivated by the craft and precision of it, and that led me deeper into the world of specialty espresso. What’s stored me right here is the folks—the connections you make, the stuff you be taught, and the best way espresso brings such various communities collectively.
Who or what conjures up you most within the espresso trade proper now?
Sean & Solar: Truthfully, the folks doing significant work of their native communities. It’s simple to get caught up within the “massive names” or viral moments, however we’re most impressed by baristas and café homeowners who’re exhibiting up day by day, constructing relationships, and making their corners of the world a bit higher by espresso. Atlanta has so lots of these folks, and being surrounded by that power is what retains us motivated.
Trying past the competitors itself, how was your total expertise working with the TBL crew and everybody concerned?
Sean & Solar: The TBL crew was phenomenal. From the second we arrived, we felt genuinely supported and welcomed. The logistics had been clean, the communication was clear, and the general vibe of the occasion mirrored the values TBL stands for—inclusivity, creativity, and group. We additionally cherished connecting with the opposite groups. Everybody was rooting for one another, which made the entire expertise really feel much less like a contest and extra like a celebration of what all of us love about espresso.
Now that you simply’ve taken dwelling the win, what’s subsequent for you? Any massive targets, initiatives, or espresso desires on the horizon?
Sean & Solar: We’re each persevering with to develop our particular person initiatives—Sean with Peach Pit ATL and Solar together with her work in latte artwork and occasional training. However this expertise has undoubtedly sparked one thing in us as a duo. We’d like to maintain collaborating, maintain exhibiting up for the Atlanta espresso group, and possibly even compete collectively once more. The dream is to maintain constructing areas—bodily and metaphorical—the place folks really feel welcome and impressed by espresso.
Should you needed to describe your Barista League expertise in three phrases, what would they be?
Sean & Solar: Pleasure. Group. Celebration.
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior on-line correspondent for Barista Journal and a contract copywriter and editor with a main give attention to the espresso area of interest. She has additionally been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, offering content material to assist educate folks about baristas and their work.
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