Somila Mrawu Earns the Coveted Starbucks Black Apron as Coffee Master

At Starbucks, our baristas — as we proudly call our ‘partners’ — are something extraordinary. They undergo weeks, sometimes months, of expert-led, hands-on training, including an exclusive curriculum crafted with a world-renowned university: the Starbucks Global Coffee Academy. This immersive experience deepens their knowledge and elevates their craft like no other program in the coffee world.

But some partners dream even bigger. The most passionate, inquisitive, and committed are handpicked by a panel of seasoned Starbucks Coffee experts to enter one of our most prestigious journeys: the Starbucks Coffee Master Program.

The Journey to Becoming a Black Apron Coffee Master

Here, they are mentored over months — sometimes years — undergoing rigorous training, storytelling, and sensory exploration. Their final challenge? A flawless series of evaluations, with no less than 100% required to pass. Only then do they earn the honor of wearing the globally coveted Black Apron — the symbol of a true Coffee Master.

This month, we celebrate a remarkable milestone.
Somila Mrawu, from our Muizenberg store, is our newest Coffee Master.

Introducing Somila Mrawu: A Master of Her Craft

With unwavering dedication, resilience, and a deep passion for the art and science of coffee, Somila has risen to this rare achievement. During her final tasting — a moment of storytelling, craft, and heart — she presented the Odyssey blend, a coffee that represents our vision for the future: of people, planet, and purpose. It was more than a tasting — it was a reflection of her journey.

Somila, congratulations. You wear the Black Apron with pride and purpose. The future of coffee is brighter with you in it.