Chinese coffee master named as champion

In the final, six competitors competed for the title by creating two identical Irish coffees and two signature drinks featuring coffee and spirits within a limited time. Liu impressed judges with his cosmos-inspired creations, including a signature cold drink named "Saturn" and an Irish coffee titled "Afterglow of the Cosmos".

Through his creations, Liu explored the relationship between coffee, spirits and human imagination. His works combined precise techniques with creative concepts, presenting a journey inspired by the universe while reflecting his own understanding of flavor and expression.

Liu, who works as a chef adviser at Fonterra, a New Zealand farmer-owned dairy cooperative, has long focused on innovative applications in the catering industry. Before entering the coffee field, he worked in finance and later started from the basics in a coffee shop, gradually building his expertise in coffee and mixology.