Eighteen-year-old Wayne Falzon placed second in the Costa Coffee Barista of the Year European finals in Warsaw, Poland.

The winner was Matyas Svaton, from the Czech Republic.

The competition took place over two days and consisted of two challenges. The first tested the participants’ coffee-making skills, with participants having to produce technically faultless cups of hand-crafted coffee in a set amount of time.

The second challenge required the contestants to create and present their own signature coffee beverage, judged on taste, presentation and inventiveness.

The Barista of the Year competition is organised annually to give Costa Coffee baristas all over the world the chance to show skill, personality and passion in what they do.

Not only are baristas the experts in making quality, hand-crafted coffee with speed and precision, but also each brings their own flair and creativity to every cup of coffee.

Falzon, who was trained by Jennifer Sant, Malta’s core skills training manager, said: “It was a truly amazing experience which I will never forget. Even though I didn’t place first, I encourage others to participate because it feels so good to be able to stand on stage, prove your skills and share your passion with others.

“I am very grateful to Costa Coffee Malta for giving me this opportunity and I hope to be able to make it to the Champion of Champ-ions world finals one day.”