Athenian barman Nikolaos Kanakaris has taken out the winning title of this year’s reality talent show Barista & Farmer.

Now in its third series, 10 contestants selected from 200 participants were required to live the life of a coffee producer at O’Coffee company in Brazil for the duration of 11 days.

Held from 3-13 May, according to Bean Scene Mag finalists were expected to wake up at sunrise each day, followed by long morning on the farm.

They were also put through a series of challenges ranging from coffee picking, weighing and using a depulping machine.

Their afternoons were taken up by classes at the Barista & Farmer Academy, where contestants learnt about different coffee production methods, roasting, green and coffee sensory tasting sessions, and field demonstrations.

While he is excited to have taken out first place, Kanakaris says the experience was far more than a mere competition.

“As I have said from the very first day, there are no words to describe this experience, but I must confess that winning the competition is truly not that important,” said Kanakaris.

“Instead, what is important is the relationships I have built with the people I have met thanks to this program, who will always be close to my heart.”

Aside from having accumulating the most points through a series of tests and collecting the most kilos of coffee, it’s not surprising to hear that it was the Greek barista’s positive attitude and team spirit that won him extra points.

Named runner-up was Russian Olga Kaplina, followed by local Brazilian barista Raphael Ferraz De Sousa in third place.

Australia also took part in the series, represented by barista Rosey Hill of D’Angelo Coffee in Adelaide.

Dedicated to the promotion and culture of speciality coffee, Barista & Farmer was created by three-time Italian Barista Champion Francesco Sanapo together with Rimini Fiera, Sigep, and the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe.

A documentary of Barista & Farmer 2016 is currently in the works. For more information, visit www.baristafarmer.com