James Odendaal and Chris Fourie—better known as Team Spro Bro’s—reflect on their victory at the coffee competition.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Photos courtesy of The Barista League
The 2025 edition of The Barista League continues its global journey, with six regional events showcasing the world’s top emerging talent. In Africa, the competition landed in Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing all the hallmarks of The Barista League: unpredictability, high energy, and moments that made both audience and judges sit up and take notice.
Representing the vibrant café scene of South Africa, James Odendaal and Chris Fourie of Team Spro Bro’s combined precision, personality, and passion to claim the win. Their approach was about connection, authenticity, and letting their individual strengths shine in perfect harmony.
Vasileia Fanarioti: Congrats on your win! How did you prepare for The Barista League competition in Jo’burg? Did you have a strategy going in?
James: Thank you! I don’t think we had a laid-out strategy in the traditional competition sense. With The Barista League’s format being so unpredictable, we knew we had to lean into our individual strengths and trust each other. Our preparation was less about planning and more about adaptability, intuition.
The Barista League has a unique format—what was your favorite round or challenge, and why?
James: Definitely the Drinks Round. It showcases the time baristas spend behind the bar perfecting, not just beverages, but the art of connection. The format allowed us to lean into what we do best and present drinks that felt both personal and delicious.
How did you aim to stand out from the other teams, whether in approach, style, or energy?
James: We didn’t necessarily focus on standing out. We wanted everything we did to be simple, intentional, and human. Whether interacting with judges or designing our mocktail, we focused on clarity, honesty, and connection, not spectacle.
What makes The Barista League different from other competitions? And what did you love most about it?
James: There’s no gatekeeping, no intimidating format, and no sense that you need a sponsor or a lab coat to participate. It celebrates creativity and chaos in the best way possible. What I loved most was that it feels like a party where coffee happens to be the gravitational center and not a test where joy becomes collateral damage.
How did the team dynamic work between the two of you? Any funny or memorable moments from backstage?
James: Chris has such a vibrant personality, and it absolutely shone in the mocktail round. His culinary background became obvious when he arrived on prep day with twelve different syrups like he was auditioning for “Master Chef.” His energy gave me the space to focus on dialing the coffee in and enjoying the process.
Let’s rewind: What got each of you started in coffee, and what’s kept you hooked?
James: For me, coffee started as curiosity and turned into a calling. I began helping out at Culture Coffee (on the) weekends and quickly fell in love with the humanity behind every cup—the producers, the science, the community conversations. Coffee isn’t just a beverage, it’s a value chain backed by intentionality.
Chris: Coffee started for me really “growing” up in coffee shops and cafés. Going to different (cafés) with my mom when I was younger stoked a love for café culture. I got into barista work back in 2012 and have been moving around the hospitality industry in multiple roles ever since.
Who or what inspires you most in the coffee industry right now?
James: Stevo Kühn has been one of my biggest mentors here in South Africa—he constantly pushes me to stay curious and pursue growth. Jack Simpson is another huge inspiration; I had the privilege of meeting him and watching him win the 2025 World Barista Championship in Milan. And lastly, my dad. I have the honor of building Culture Coffee alongside him. He keeps me aligned with God in everything I do, and I’m incredibly grateful for that grounding.
Chris: The people around me and in our coffee community who constantly strive to innovate and serve the best products possible.
The crowd in Johannesburg was electric! How did the vibe of the event impact your experience on stage?
James: It felt like performing inside a sound wave. The energy wasn’t background noise, it was fuel. Every cheer sharpened our focus. Having so many of our café regulars show up to support us was the cherry on top.
Now that you’ve taken home the win, what’s next for you? Any big goals, projects, or coffee dreams on the horizon?
James: My biggest dream is to reach the finals at the World Barista Championship. Winning The Barista League didn’t create that dream, it solidified it. I’m pushing myself to grow, compete, and pursue that goal with even more vigor and drive.
Chris: [smiles] Who knows. Have fun and live a life that brings happiness.
If you had to describe your Barista League experience in three words, what would they be?
James: Chaotic. Joyful. Unforgettable.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior online correspondent for Barista Magazine and a freelance copywriter and editor with a primary focus on the coffee niche. She has also been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, providing content to help educate people about baristas and their work.
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