From 10–12 April 2026, Blank Coffee Roaster returned to Good Coffee Fest, hosted by Ghostbird Coffee Company at The Campus @ Ampang.
It felt familiar, but not the same.
Last year caught us completely off guard. We sold out by the second morning, rushed back to Ipoh to roast more coffee, and still ended the event empty-handed again. It was chaotic, exciting, and slightly overwhelming in the best way.
This year, we came back with one intention: be better prepared.
Sort of.
A Better Preparation, A Familiar Reality
We brought a stronger lineup this time, led by coffees we were confident in. And once again, the crowd decided for us.
The clear favourite was our Colombia, Finca Milan (Culturing Nitro Process). It moved fast — faster than expected — and was completely sold out by the second day. Bright, tropical, candy-like notes made it one of the most talked-about coffees at our booth.
Not long after, our Costa Rica, Yabai Double Anaerobic Natural followed. A wine-like, sauv blanc-inspired cup with muscat grape and poached pear notes. Complex, expressive, and unmistakably bold.
By the end of the festival, we were left with only a handful of coffee bags.
And honestly, we didn’t mind.
We went home with a lighter box. Much lighter.
More Than Sales
Events like Good Coffee Fest are never just about selling coffee.
They are about conversations, feedback, and seeing where people naturally gravitate. This year reminded us again that experimental coffees can connect just as strongly as classic profiles when the experience is right.
We are deeply grateful to be invited back, and even more grateful for the people who showed up, tasted, returned, and finished cups with intention.
We would gladly do it all over again.
Rising Star Barista Championship
During the festival, I also took part in the Rising Star Barista Championship.
The format was different from traditional competitions. Instead of sourcing your own coffee, participants were given sponsored coffee and focused on presentation, workflow, and storytelling. It was a more accessible stage for newer competitors, especially those who may not have the budget for full-scale competition setups.
I joined because I’ve always been curious about competition, but the cost barrier has always made it difficult for a small operation like ours.
This time felt like the right moment to try.
A Learning Curve on Stage
I did not make it past the first round.
But I walked away knowing exactly why.
The debrief gave clarity on mistakes I had already suspected, and areas I should have practiced much earlier. It was humbling, but not discouraging. More like a necessary checkpoint.
And if anything, it confirmed something important: growth doesn’t always look like winning.
Sometimes it looks like understanding.
And maybe, showing a bit of on-stage charisma while figuring it out.
A Small Milestone, Quietly Achieved
In the middle of everything, something unexpected stood out.
People came specifically for Blank.
Not by chance. Not because they were already at the festival. But because they knew us and made the trip intentionally.
That was new for us.
And it changed something internally.
It made us realise that we are no longer just participating in events. We are being followed, supported, and remembered.
What This Means Moving Forward
After this event, I told myself something simple.
If we do pop-ups again, I want us to be able to run both the Ipoh outlet and the event at the same time. No closure. No compromise. Just expansion.
More importantly, I want to keep exploring competitions, learning environments like this, and pushing beyond what feels comfortable.
Not because we have to win.
But because we have to grow.
Closing Thoughts
Good Coffee Fest 2026 left us with a lighter box, but a heavier sense of clarity.
Grateful for Ghostbird Coffee Company for having us again.
Grateful for the people who showed up for us.
Grateful for the lessons that only experience can teach.
We’ll be back. In some form.
And next time, we’ll be even more ready.