Top local barista becomes face of Costa

An accountancy student is set to be the face of Costa Coffee across the capital after being selected to star in its in-store advertising campaign.

Saiful Islam, 24, who works part-time in Costa's Crouch End shop in The Broadway, was chosen from thousands of baristas because of his passion for coffee and achievements in the 18 months he has worked for them.

Within a year he had demonstrated such skill as a barista that his manager recommended he enter the Barista of the Year competition.

Saiful, who came to the UK two years ago from Bangladesh and joined Costa while he completes an accountancy degree, said: "Although I didn’t get to the international finals, it was a great experience and made me feel I’d made a real achievement in getting so far."

He is now working his way up to be an assistant manager.

(From a story in Hornsey Journal)