New launches, new locations, and what is next at 55coffee.
The 55 Coffee annual dinner ran from 10 PM to past 2 AM at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Muscat, on January 21, 2026. It was a long night — and clearly the point.
MUSCAT, OMAN – Guests arrived to an Omani band and the smell of coffee. A highlight reel from the past year played before the General Manager addressed the room. The tone throughout was less corporate event, more internal celebration — the kind of thing that's for the staff, not for the press.
The Barista Championship took up a solid chunk of the evening. Donal TD Lagunda Laurejas (Ghubra branch) won Latte Art. Jerry Re Sta. Maria Salubre (Rusayl) won Signature Drinks.
Just before 1 AM, leadership stepped up to unveil two things: a new staff uniform and a vending machine. Neither is a small thing when you're the one wearing the uniform or stocking the machine every day.
Individual awards went to Stephen Leonard (Certified Q Arabica Grader), Orlando Rivera Vizcarra (Loyalty Award), and Johnson Palattao Laovinia (Barista of the Year).
The 2025 Comprehensive Exam had a clean story at the top: Elvis Arguelles Magno and Abelardo Fajardo both scored 100%, a tie for first. Jayson Sarmiento Joaquin placed third at 99.70%. Ten more staff from branches across Muscat — Azaiba, Mawaleh, Ghala among them — received Excellence Service Awards.
The Operations Manager led a Barista Pledge before the night wrapped up, with everyone leaving around 2:15 AM with a gift bag.
Partners: Monin, Grand Millennium Hotel, Music Connection, Sky Graphics.
