When the Coffee in Good Spirits Competition took place at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management in March, a student serving as social media coordinator for the FIU Coffee Guild documented the event. The competition, part of an educational partnership between the Bacardi Center of Excellence and a well-known spirits brand, challenged students to create original coffee cocktails.
The assignment involved covering competitors Paola Ortega and Aanchal Khemlani, both undergraduates whose drinks reflected their family traditions and cultural backgrounds. Khemlani’s entry was inspired by her grandfather’s favorite Burmese dish, Khao Soi. She combined coconut milk with curry paste to make a syrup that added warmth and meaning to her drink. Ortega drew inspiration from her grandfather’s farm in the Dominican Republic, incorporating honey and passionfruit from her hometown into her beverage.
During the competition, participants worked under time constraints while judges observed their techniques closely. Ortega secured first place with her blend of flavors, while Khemlani placed second due to effective time management.
The success at this event led to further opportunities for Ortega and Khemlani. They traveled to New York City for the US Open Tennis Championships, where they prepared their drinks in Lavazza Premium Coffee Corporation’s suite—an opportunity made possible through a partnership between FIU’s hospitality school and Lavazza.
Reflecting on these experiences, the student photographer stated: “Looking back, this journey taught me more than I could have learned in any classroom. It showed me the value of finding the human side of every achievement and the reward inherent in giving others the platform to shine. Ortega and Khemlani proved themselves as champions, but I walked away with a victory of my own: the realization that my role behind the camera and in front of the audience has the power to turn a competition into a lasting memory. Coffee got me to the US Open, and thanks to this experience, may lead to so much more on my future career path.”
