In the process of stirring the judges with her knowledge, practical skills and personality, she prepared 15 brand standard espressos in just two minutes to set a joint Costa world record alongside another of the finalists.
It was not enough to give her outright victory, but she took second place and is now the number two barista among all Costa baristas working in more than 2,000 coffee shops worldwide.
The annual Barista of the Year competition aims to recognise the passion and talent of all Costa baristas. Goldsack was one of 12 finalists from around the world who was judged on technical skill, brand standards, presentation and creativity in London recently.
A supervisor at the Compass run Costa store at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, she booked her spot in the final after being crowned the best barista from Costa’s 330 UK corporate franchise partner run stores.
This was the first time a foodservice company had had a barista in the global Costa Barista of the Year final.
She said: “I'm absolutely ecstatic. Getting through to the finals was amazing, I never dreamed I would make the top three.
“I'm so pleased I broke the record for the most espressos extracted, I didn't feel under pressure as it just felt like a morning shift in store.”
Andy Porter, hot beverage business director at Compass said: “We’re incredibly proud of Laska; she is a fantastic barista and makes the perfect coffee time and time again.
“Her achievement is testament to the talented people at the heart of Compass, and the fact that we have a barista competing on the international stage demonstrates our capability to deliver in the competitive coffee marketplace.”