When Kayla Saito was announced as Australia’s 2026 World Class champion, it marked the culmination of years of persistence, preparation and growth. The victory also made history, with Saito becoming the first woman to claim the Australian title.
While the achievement has been celebrated across the hospitality industry, Saito admits the full significance of the moment didn’t register immediately.
“I think it really started to sink in after the announcement,” she says. “In the moment, you’re focused on the competition and processing the result. Since then, hearing from friends, colleagues and the broader hospitality community has made me appreciate the significance of the achievement even more.”
For Saito, winning wasn’t simply about taking home a trophy. It was the result of several years of returning, refining her skills and learning from every campaign.
“It’s an incredible honour,” she says. “Winning this is something I’ve worked towards over several years, so to finally achieve that is immensely rewarding. Knowing that I’m also the first woman to win the Australian title makes it even more special. I hope it’s seen as a positive moment for the industry and shows that there’s space for everyone to succeed at the highest level.”
That journey has been shaped by the people around her. Saito credits her peers and family and notes they have remained a constant source of encouragement throughout her career.
“The mentorship, support and opportunities to learn from some of the best people in the industry have been invaluable,” she says. “Beyond the industry, my family has been my biggest source of encouragement. They’ve always supported me in pursuing my interests and passions, and having that unwavering belief from the people closest to me has given me the confidence to keep challenging myself and striving for new opportunities.”
Her historic win also arrives at a time when Australia’s bar industry continues to evolve. Saito has watched greater diversity emerge behind the bar and in leadership positions, but believes the work isn’t finished.
“The Australian bar industry has made real progress in becoming more diverse and inclusive, and it’s been encouraging to see a wider range of people represented behind the bar and in leadership roles,” she says. “That diversity brings fresh perspectives, creativity and a stronger sense of community, which ultimately makes our industry better.”
“It’s important that we continue creating spaces where people from all backgrounds feel genuinely welcomed, supported and given equal opportunities to develop, compete and lead. Inclusivity isn’t just about who gets through the door, it’s about making sure everyone has the opportunity to thrive once they’re there.”
Saito hopes her own achievement will encourage more people to step outside their comfort zones and put themselves forward for competitions.
“I hope it encourages more women, femmes and non-binary people to put themselves forward in the limelight,” she says. “Competitions can be incredibly challenging, but they’re also some of the best environments to learn, push your boundaries and grow both personally and professionally.”
“If my win gives even one person the confidence to enter a competition they might have otherwise doubted themselves about, then that’s something I’m really proud of. Representation matters, and I hope this is another step towards making our industry feel even more inclusive and accessible for everyone.”
Her victory was also built on lessons learned from previous attempts. Rather than dwelling on disappointment, Saito used every setback as motivation to improve.
“One of the biggest lessons was preparation,” she says. “I completely bombed the speed round in my first two years competing, so to come back, win that challenge and ultimately take the national title was incredibly rewarding. It reinforced that growth comes through practice, preparation and learning from your setbacks.”
With the Australian title secured, Saito’s attention now turns to Edinburgh, where she’ll represent Australia against the world’s best bartenders later this year.
“I’m excited to represent Australia on the world stage,” she says. “Over the coming months, my focus will be on refining every aspect of my performance, continuing to develop my skills and making sure I’m as prepared as possible for the challenges in Edinburgh.”
For Saito, the journey to the top has never been about one perfect performance. It’s been built on resilience, constant learning and showing up again after every setback. Now, as she prepares to compete on the global stage, she’s carrying not only Australia’s hopes, but the belief that representation, persistence and preparation can help shape the future of the industry.