Central Alberta barista competes in Western Canada competition
Published 3:24 pm Monday, July 20, 2026
A Blackfalds Starbucks barista is one win away from qualifying to compete at Starbucks’ North America Barista Championship Finals in Seattle.
Judy Penner Webb is one of four baristas who will compete in the Western Canada Regional Final of the 2026 Starbucks North America Barista Championship on July 21 in Calgary.
Regional winners will then face off with baristas from Canada and the United States on Sept. 29.
“I’m so excited. I am really hoping to do my whole community proud here at Starbucks. My whole team is rooting for me,” said Penner Webb, who started working at Starbucks only nine months ago and is already a supervisor.
To make it to the regionals, the 21-year-old had to win her coffee house, district and area competitions.
Baristas are judged on their drink-making skills, including presentation like latte art, their coffee knowledge and customer service.
Starbucks said the journey to regionals represents months of dedication, practice and passion for coffee.
Penner Webb said she ever since she began working at Starbucks she has focused on making every drink perfectly, and has learned even more about the company and its coffee while preparing for the competitions.
Initially, the Blackfalds barista wasn’t going to compete, but her co-workers saw her commitment and potential, she said.
“I’m really happy they pushed me and challenged me because I wouldn’t have made it this far without them.”
Penner Webb said she feels ready to face the regional judges, and hopefully the North American judges in September.
“I’m just really excited to share everything that I learned here,” she said about Blackfalds Starbucks.
“I know that my commitment to coffee will shine through what I know, through how I make my drinks, through my customer connections.”