The International division of the annual Vanuatu Barista competition went to APTC student Christopher Piets.

Held at La Tentation restaurant in Port Vila at the end of last year, the competition was judged by international coffee and barista experts who came to Vanuatu especially for the event.

The 30 contestants each prepared two expressos, two cappuccinos and two signature drinks, all within a strict timeframe.

After the competition, Christopher said that as one of six children raised by a widowed mother, he learnt early in life that success could only be achieved by hard work. He intended taking his new coffee knowledge back to his home country, Papua New Guinea.

Since the competition, Christopher has completed his APTC studies at the Vanuatu Campus and returned to PNG.