Brewing Up Anticipation: Malaysia National Coffee Championship (MNCC) Heats Up MIFB 2025, With the Debut of the Malaysian Café Expo (MCE)

Get ready to smell the coffee, Malaysia! The Malaysian International Food & Beverage Trade Fair (MIFB) 2025 is about to turn up the heat, and the steam, on the country's booming café culture. From July 30 to August 1, 2025, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, MIFB 2025, in strategic partnership with the Malaysian Specialty Coffee Association (MSCA), will host the milestone Malaysia National Coffee Championship (MNCC), celebrating its 10th anniversary! But that's not all – prepare for the exciting debut of the Malaysia Café Expo (MCE), a brand-new exhibition dedicated to spotlighting the latest trends and innovations in the café business. This is set to be Malaysia's biggest coffee moment, capturing the vibrant momentum of our evolving coffee scene like never before.

A Decade of Dedication: The MNCC's 10th Anniversary

This year marks a significant milestone for the Malaysia National Coffee Championship (MNCC) as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. This highly anticipated event brings together 48 of Malaysia’s finest baristas, brewers, latte artists, and sensory judges, all vying for a coveted spot on the world stage. Visitors can expect thrilling live championship showdowns and immersive brewing experiences, offering a front-row seat to the evolution of Malaysia’s specialty coffee scene. As Kelvin Ngow Wai Hng, President of Malaysia Specialty Coffee Association (MSCA), shared, "As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Malaysia National Coffee Championship (MNCC), this milestone year reflects a decade of dedication to nurturing Malaysia’s specialty coffee community." He highlighted the focus on creating a meaningful platform that celebrates both experienced professionals and passionate newcomers, including the younger generation who bring fresh perspectives and creative approaches.

Malaysia's Global Coffee Presence: A Legacy of Champions

Malaysia's presence on the global coffee map is already well-established, thanks to the incredible talent fostered by events like the MNCC. Past champions have brought international acclaim to our nation:

• Irvine Quek, World Latte Art Champion 2018: Malaysia’s first-ever world titleholder in latte art.

• Regine Wai, 1st Runner-Up, World Brewers Cup Championship 2018: Recognized for her exceptional hand-brew technique and captivating storytelling.

• Ryan Liew, 4th Place, World Latte Art Championship 2023: Continuing Malaysia’s artistic coffee legacy on the global stage.

These achievements underscore the professionalism and innovation that define Malaysia’s growing coffee scene.

The Championship Journey: From Prelims to World Stage

The year-long championship journey for MNCC began in July 2024, with preliminary heats held in April and June 2025. Now, it culminates in the Semi-Finals and Finals, held over three action-packed days at MIFB 2025. Covering everything from intricate latte artistry to precise taste calibration, the MNCC stands as Malaysia’s definitive platform for specialty coffee talent. It hosts four elite competition categories, organized by the MSCA and sanctioned by World Coffee Events (WCE):

• The Malaysia Brewers Cup 2025

• The Malaysia Barista Championship 2025

• Malaysia Latte Art Championship 2025

• Malaysia Cup Tasters Championship 2025

The MNCC remains the ultimate launchpad for world-class achievements, with the MCE, held alongside MIFB 2025, serving as the starting point for this incredible journey.

The Debut of the Malaysia Café Expo (MCE): A Hub for Innovation

In tandem with the championship excitement, the Malaysia Café Expo (MCE) makes its highly anticipated debut. Located at Hall 7 of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, this dedicated hub is set to attract 5,000 visitors over three days, including café professionals, F&B buyers, and lifestyle entrepreneurs. The MCE will showcase the very latest in equipment, ingredients, concepts, and digital solutions, offering a future-focused lens into what’s brewing in the café scene. Expect to explore trends from sustainability and automation to heritage-infused drinks and experiential café design. Key exhibitors like 103 Coffee, Berjaya Starbucks Coffee, Boncafe, Coffex Coffee, Dankoff, Dutch Lady Milk | FrieslandCampina Professional, Forest Cloud, Global Coffee Resources, K3, and Lamarsa Coffee Machine Company will be on hand, showcasing a wide range of offerings across coffee and tea, snacks, machinery, packaging, and even payment or franchising solutions.

MIFB 2025: Your Gateway to the Future of F&B

MIFB 2025 offers a truly immersive journey across the entire F&B value chain, spanning processing, packaging, retail, and foodservice. With the Malaysia Café Expo (MCE) now spotlighting the vibrant evolution of café culture, it's an integral part of the experience. As the F&B revolution continues to reshape how we eat, drink, and connect, MIFB is the place to be, with over 500 companies from 50+ countries converging across 18,000 sqm of curated exhibition zones. Highlights include the Knowledge Hub themed "Smart, Sustainable, Scalable" and live culinary showcases at the Gastronomic Sensory Hub, bringing the future of F&B to life on every front.

Don't Miss Out!

Be part of Malaysia’s biggest coffee moment! Visit the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from July 30 to August 1, 2025. For hassle-free entry, register online for your e-badge at www.mifb.com.my/registration. See you there!