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This July, World Barista Champion, Mikael Jasin joins forces with SA Chef of the Year Johannes Richter, crafting a multi-sensory journey where precision, passion, and pure artistry come together on every plate - and in every cup. Expect coffee like you’ve never imagined, paired with dishes that flirt with perfection and dance on the edge of genius. This exclusive collaboration is available for one day only through Creative Coffee Events in partnership with FNB - because magic like this doesn’t happen every day!

The beauty of this experience is that only 10 people will be seated per session and these incredible professionals will be serving and taking you through a flavour journey. These pairings will only be shared at this event, making this a truly unique adventure.

What is OMAKASE?  Omakase is a Japanese phrase, that means 'I'll leave it up to you’. Basically it’s the chef's choice and you are in their very capable hands. Mikael and his team from Indonesia have crafted an ‘Omakafe’ variation, that they have worked hard to perfect just for this occasion.

Not only will you be tasting creations by Mikael, he is teaming up with 2025 SA Chef of the year Johannes Richter, from The Living Room (rated #1 fine dining experience in KZN by Eat Out) to pair the coffees with uniquely South African treats.

Mikael's assistant, also travelling from Indonesia, is Georgius 'Odi' Teja who has just been crowned the World Coffee in Good Spirits Champion 2025!

Two of the best baristas in the world with the best Chef in the country, teaming up to serve you, and only a few others, in an intimate, fully-immersive sensory experience at The Living Room.

Reserve your seat now - your tastebuds will never forgive you if you miss it.

Brought to you by The Coffee Magazine and Creative Coffee Events

31st July 2025 | 10.30am | 12.30pm | 3pm

Please contact Mel with any queries: mel@magazine.coffee

There will be a halaal friendly seating at 10.30am and more can be added if necessary.

Mikael Jasin is an Indonesian barista and a leading figure in the global specialty coffee scene. He is the 2024 World Barista Champion and a three-time Indonesian Barista Champion. Beyond competing, Jasin co-owns coffee businesses, including So So Good Coffee Company and CATUR Coffee Company, focusing on barista training, coffee consultancy, and unique Indonesian coffee processing. He also founded Omakafé, an omakase-style beverage experience space.

Chef Johannes Richter is chef and co-owner of The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate. German-born and Durban-raised, the chef trained at Michelin-star establishments abroad before returning home to open The LivingRoom. His love of local ingredients and strong sustainable ethos see him combine his classic training with both ancient and modern techniques to celebrate KwaZulu-Natal’s culinary diversity with every dish.

His unique approach to cooking, unwavering dedication to sustainability, and relentless pursuit of excellence, rooted in identity, have seen Chef Johannes and The Living Room lauded with a host of accolades and recognitions. For Chef Johannes this includes the title of Eat Out Woolworths Chef of the Year 2025 and one knife at the internationally recognised The Best Chef Awards. While The LivingRoom was recognised as the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant of the Year 2022, it has also been awarded the Eat Out Woolworths Financial Services Sustainability Award 2023 and the Eat Out Woolworths Financial Services Green Star 2025 (previously the Sustainability Award).

The World Barista Championship (WBC) is an annual competition organized by World Coffee Events to promote excellence in coffee and elevate the barista profession globally. It features national champions from over 50 countries who showcase their skills in crafting espresso-based beverages, including espressos, milk-based drinks, and signature beverages, within a 15-minute timeframe. Judges evaluate performances based on taste, technical skills, and overall presentation.