The SCA UK Coffee Roasting Championship is the United Kingdom’s official national roasting competition, organized annually by the Specialty Coffee Association UK Chapter (SCA UK). The championship identifies the UK’s best roaster and selects the country’s representative for the World Coffee Roasting Championship.
The competition follows the rules and format established by World Coffee Events, the governing body for international coffee championships. It draws roasters from across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland competing for a place on the world stage.
How the Competition Works
The SCA UK Coffee Roasting Championship follows the World Coffee Roasting Championship format. Competitors roast standardized green coffee lots provided to all entrants — the same coffee, roasted to each competitor’s own specification. Certified judges evaluate the results on aroma, flavor, body, acidity, and consistency. The finalist with the highest cumulative score represents the UK at the WCRC. The 2026 championship was held in London in March.
Past Winners
SCA UK Championship competitors roast standardized green lots provided by the organizers. The competition coffee is not their own product. Links go to each champion’s commercial roastery.
2026: Alexandru Marin, Sip Collective Coffee, United Kingdom. Scored 559 points, ahead of runner-up Rifqi Maulana, in the March 13–15 London championship. Went on to place 8th at the 2026 World Coffee Roasting Championship in Brussels.