MONIN Cup 2026 Crowns North American Champions Heading to Paris
The road to Paris is officially set.
MONIN has crowned its 2026 North American regional champions, with three emerging bartenders earning the opportunity to represent Mexico, Canada, and the United States & Puerto Rico at the MONIN Cup global finals in Paris this December.
This year’s competition centered around “Timeless Twists,” challenging bartenders to look to the past for inspiration and give forgotten flavors, classic techniques, and iconic serves a modern interpretation through contemporary ingredients, presentation, and storytelling.
Meet the MONIN Cup 2026 North American Champions
Úrsula Gutiérrez
– Mexico Champion
Gutiérrez earned the Mexico title during the regional competition in Mexico City and will represent the country on the international stage.
Kat Lau
– Canada Champion
Photo by Jessica Blaine Smith
Lau took home the Canadian title following the MONIN Cup semi-final in Toronto.
Kitzia Torres
– United States & Puerto Rico Champion
The North American regional competitions concluded August 11 in Tampa, where eight bartenders from across the United States and Puerto Rico competed. Torres emerged as champion following the final round, completing the continent’s lineup for Paris.
Together, Gutiérrez, Lau, and Torres make up an all-female group of North American champions headed to the MONIN Cup global finale.
Launched in 2012, the MONIN Cup was created to give emerging bartenders an international platform to showcase their creativity, craftsmanship, and individual perspectives behind the bar. The competition is open to working bartenders and bar school students age 27 and under. The competition has become a launchpad for the next generation of beverage talent.
The three North American champions will now prepare to compete against rising bartenders from around the world at the MONIN Cup Global Finale, December 7–8 in Paris, where one competitor will ultimately take home the international title.
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