Kay Cheon

I am the 2025 United States Barista Champion, and a specialty coffee professional with 12 years of hospitality experience. I represented the United States in the 2025 World Barista Championship in Milan, Italy, placing 8th in the world. I grew up in California as the son of Korean immigrant parents, who taught me the value of learning and sharing knowledge with others. I attended my parents’ alma mater at the University of California Santa Barbara, where I received a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

I became immersed in specialty coffee for all of the new experiences it had to offer, first making coffee at home for myself, family, and friends. I’ve worked in coffee since 2013.

My time in the coffee industry has spanned from retail business to roasting to sourcing, working across parallel food and beverage industries for a comprehensive skillset, including business consulting and training. I’ve competed in the United States barista championship for six years prior to 2025, reaching the top six on four occasions.

Throughout my coffee journey, being a barista and creating exceptional experiences to share with others still drives me each day.

I am currently based in Santa Barbara, CA. In my free time, I enjoy the outdoors, from running to cycling, and traveling to new destinations.