In today's episode, we're exploring the connection between coffee and music and how the right soundtrack can contribute to the success of a hospitality venue. How do you identify the perfect playlist? How do different genres, moods, and tempos shape the right customer experience throughout the entire week? And what are the latest trends in hospitality music? To answer these questions, we'll speak with Paul Ettinger, Business Development and Music Director, Caffè Nero , along with two experts fro...
Sep 06, 2024•38 min•Ep. 126
During our short summer break here we’re re-sharing one of our favourites conversations from the past year. We’ll return to Dan Martensen, the man behind the overnight sensation, It's Bagels - a New-York inspired bagel and coffee shop in London’s Primrose Hill. Dan opened the doors to Its Bagels in September 2023 and within days they had queues of customers lining up to get their hands on one of Dan’s delicious bagels. So, how did he do it? In this conversation Dan shares the secrets behind the ...
Aug 30, 2024•34 min
Today we’re excited to bring you the full length interview with Kate O’Brien, Executive Director of the Costa Foundation . We first spoke to Kate for our episode on using coffee for social good, but her insights were so valuable that we wanted to share the entire conversation with you today. Kate has a wealth of experience across the charity sector and in this extended edit, shares some compelling details and examples from the Costa Foundation’s community impact. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist o...
Aug 28, 2024•23 min
Following on from our last episode on leveraging coffee for good, we’re bringing you the full interview with Cemal Ezel, Founder of the social enterprise Change Please and Old Spike Roastery. Cemal’s insights on both social impact and commercial success were so compelling that we wanted to share the full conversation with you today. In this extended edit, Cemal discusses Change Please’s unique business model and holistic approach to tackling homelessness. He also discusses his recent collaborati...
Aug 23, 2024•43 min•Ep. 125
In today’s episode, we’re exploring how businesses can leverage coffee as a force for good, benefiting both our coffee communities and the world beyond. We’ll speak with three leaders from remarkable social organisations to learn about their transformative work and the tangible impact they're making on people's lives. Cemal Ezel, Founder and CEO Change Please , reveals how his innovative business model provides housing and barista training for individuals experiencing homelessness, empowering th...
Aug 16, 2024•37 min•Ep. 124
In today’s episode we’re speaking with Jeanine Niyonzima-Aroian, Owner of JNP Coffee and Board Director of the Specialty Coffee Association , to get an overview of the Burundi coffee market – a vibrant, yet relatively unknown origin. Founded in 2012, JNP Coffee produces, promotes and trades African specialty coffee and is committed to transforming lives of people in Burundi through economic empowerment. In this conversation Jeanine discusses the crucial role coffee plays in Burundi’s economy and...
Aug 09, 2024•26 min•Ep. 123
In this special summer episode, we’re stepping into the glorious world of olive oil to explore the parallels and synergies with the coffee industry. We’ll speak with Anna Cane, President of the Olive Oil Group at Assitol (The Italian Association of Edible Oils) and Joseph R. Profaci, Executive Director, North American Olive Oil Association to unpack the different types of olive oils on the market and its complex supply chain. We’ll also speak with coffee legend Tony Papas to find out why he’s re...
Aug 02, 2024•38 min•Ep. 122
In today’s episode we’re speaking with Casey Lalonde, Owner of Girls Who Grind Coffee - a specialty coffee roaster based in Somerset, Southwest England. Founded in the mid- 2010s, Girls Who Grind sources all its coffees from women producers, with a focus on driving more visibility and representation for women across our industry. In this thought-provoking conversation, Casey discusses her mission, unique business model, and why she prioritises sourcing based on relationships and stories. Casey a...
Jul 26, 2024•31 min•Ep. 121
In today’s episode we’re discussing the future of office coffee and finding out how coffee businesses are adapting to changing dynamics and the rise of hybrid working. In this episode we’ll examine the UK and European office coffee markets and in a later episode we’ll take an in-depth look at the North American market. Today, we’ll speak with Nick Stevens, B2B Commercial Director UK&I, Nespresso Professional , Vince Kelders, Group Category Leader Hot Drinks, Selecta and Andrea Clerici, Globa...
Jul 19, 2024•38 min•Ep. 120
Today's episode is part two of a conversation with Peter Harman - a veteran restaurateur, author and host of the Build A Better Restaurant podcast . In part one, Peter walked us through his Eight Basic Fundamentals and actionable insights for success in the highly complex restaurant industry. In part two, Peter shares yet more wisdom from his years in the restaurant industry and outlines his Six Sales Pillars for increasing profit margins. Find out more about Peter Harman, his books and podcast ...
Jul 16, 2024•31 min•Ep. 119
In today’s episode we're joined by Peter Harman - a veteran restaurateur, author and host of the Build A Better Restaurant podcast . Drawing on a wealth of experience in the restaurant industry, Peter's weekly podcast shares invaluable insight and advice on how to grow as a leader and build a more profitable hospitality business. Over the next two episodes, we'll bring you a snapshot of some of his core principles and strategies. In part one, Peter walks us through his Eight Basic Fundamentals a...
Jul 12, 2024•32 min•Ep. 118
In today's episode, we’re stepping into one of the world's most vibrant and trendy coffee shop markets to uncover why Korea is so captivated by coffee. In conversations with Cera Jung, Country Manager, Specialty Coffee Association Korea , Ryan Suh, General Manager, Blue Bottle Coffee Korea and Matt Lee, General Manager, La Marzocco Korea, we'll find out how the Korean coffee market has evolved in the last 10 years and delve into the latest beverage innovations. We'll also discuss opportunities f...
Jul 06, 2024•41 min•Ep. 117
Following on from our Antipodean brunch episode , today we’re speaking with Adam White, Founder of Riding House Cafés – a pioneering all-day dining operator in central London. After a career managing pubs for Mitchells & Butlers and success with his own venture, The Garrison in edgy Bermondsey, Adam opened The Riding House Café in Fitzrovia in 2010. Since then, Riding House has established itself as a forerunner in the city's brunch scene and has grown to three bustling neighbourhood restaur...
Jun 28, 2024•39 min•Ep. 116
In today's episode, we're diving into the world of plant-based beverages to explore the rapid rise of non-dairy options in coffee shops and what's next for this dynamic category. We'll first speak with Sam Henderson, Group Beverage Development Manager at Starbucks EMEA and Mia Hartwell, Head of Food, Hubbub to find out how the dairy alternative category has developed in recent years and why more consumers are choosing plant-based options. We'll also speak with Declan Mackle, Global Head of Coffe...
Jun 21, 2024•43 min•Ep. 115
In today’s episode, we’re speaking with a true industry legend - Todd Carmichael, specialty coffee pioneer and Co-founder of La Colombe Coffee Roasters . From humble beginnings, Todd founded La Colombe with his business partner JP Iberti in Philadelphia in 1994 and together, they grew the business into one of the most influential coffee brands in North America. In 2023 La Colombe was fully acquired by yoghurt giant Chobani for an incredible $900m. In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, ...
Jun 10, 2024•47 min•Ep. 114
In today's episode we're exploring the Antipodean influence on London's brunch culture and finding out how this unique style of hospitality made its mark in the UK capital’s fiercely competitive casual dining scene. We'll be speaking with the founders behind three of London’s iconic Antipodean-inspired all-day restaurants to find out how brunch culture has evolved across the city, and how they design and develop their mouth-watering menus. We'll hear from Miles Kirby, Co-founder and Chef Directo...
Jun 03, 2024•38 min•Ep. 113
In today’s episode we’re speaking with one of the most innovative pioneers within the global coffee equipment market, Kees van der Westen. Since designing his first machine in 1984, Kees has been an industry trailblazer, known for an unwavering commitment to quality, boundary-pushing design and innovation. Today Kees focuses on research and development, while the core business operations are run by his wife and three daughters. In this conversation, Kees is joined by his daughter Yvette van der ...
May 28, 2024•31 min•Ep. 112
In today’s episode we’re speaking with Hans Tietema, Founder of the highly-respected Dutch retail and coffee bar chain Kaldi Koffie & Thee . With over 30 years of experience in the coffee industry, Hans has grown Kaldi from a single shop to a thriving franchise business with 25 sites across the Netherlands plus a recent partnership in Saudi Arabia. In this conversation Hans shares insight on his expansion strategies, the challenges in finding the right franchise partners and his decision to ...
May 20, 2024•27 min•Ep. 111
Today we’re rounding off our series on the business of coffee roasting by finding out how leading roasters establish and nurture their wholesale partnerships. We'll speak with Colin Morrison, Managing Director, Small Batch Coffee Roasters , Petr Kvasnička, Owner, Father's Coffee Roastery and Alex Spruce, Sales Director, Löfbergs UK , to understand how they market their brand and generate new business, and the ongoing support they provide their wholesale clients. Credits music: "Měsíc" by David P...
May 08, 2024•32 min•Ep. 110
In this episode we’re speaking with David Steingard, CEO and co-founder of New York-based coffee business, Laughing Man. David founded Laughing Man in 2009 with his business partners, united by a vision to foster connection, positivity and community through coffee. The company has also set up a related charitable initiative The Laughing Man Foundation and more recently, the content creation space Laughing Man Studios. In this conversation, David shares incredible insight and wisdom from his year...
Apr 29, 2024•27 min•Ep. 109
Following on from our last episode on the world of green coffee, today we’re releasing the complete interview with John Gibson, Head Roaster at Danish specialty coffee and bakery chain, La Cabra. In this conversation, John walks us through La Cabra’s approach to sourcing green coffee, how he selects growers to work with and the importance of nurturing those relationships at origin. He also unpacks the definition of direct trade, highlighting the need to use green coffee partners to facilitate se...
Apr 25, 2024•29 min
Today we’re continuing our series on the business of coffee roasting and exploring the world of green coffee supply. We'll speak with Jordan Hooper, Head of Green Coffee Trading, Sucafina and Line Cosmidis, Head of Specialty Sales, Falcon Coffees , to learn more about the green coffee supply chain, the role of the trader and how this has evolved in the digital era. We'll also speak with John Gibson, Head Roaster, La Cabra , about his approach to direct sourcing and why building relationships at ...
Apr 19, 2024•40 min•Ep. 108
In today’s episode we’re returning to our funding mini series and speaking with entrepreneur Ed Barry about scaling and ultimately selling a coffee business. Ed is the former owner of London-based independent cafe chain Over Under Coffee . Ed founded and grew Over Under to a formidable eight-strong chain, plus a franchise in the Middle East, before selling the business to ambitious New York-based start-up Blank Street in 2022. Following the acquisition, Ed has set up hospitality tech platform Ed...
Apr 08, 2024•32 min•Ep. 107
The London Coffee Festival 2024 is less than 2 weeks away and with it comes a four-day celebration of London’s vibrant coffee scene and its dedicated community. Since its inception in 2011 , The London Coffee Festival has attracted tens of thousands of hospitality professionals and coffee connoisseurs, fostering deep connections among those with a shared passion for coffee in London. And so in celebration of this remarkable event and to get us in the mood for this year’s festivities, we’re catch...
Apr 02, 2024•39 min•Ep. 106
In today’s episode we’re swapping our coffee beans for tea leaves and speaking with Nathan Kosky, Executive Vice President, for Rishi Tea & Botanicals. Founded in 1997 by Joshua Kaiser, Rishi Tea was a pioneer in bringing premium loose-leaf tea to the North American market. Today the brand supplies a wide range of high-quality teas, powders and infusions to coffee shops, restaurants and consumers across the US. In this conversation, Nathan shares the latest tea drinking trends in the US and ...
Mar 22, 2024•27 min•Ep. 105
In today’s episode we’re speaking with Eileen Rinaldi, Founder and CEO of San Francisco’s iconic Ritual Coffee Roasters. Established in 2005, Ritual was a forerunner in San Francisco’s specialty coffee movement that exploded in the late-2000s. Today, the business operates five sites and a roastery in the Bay Area and Napa Valley. In this insightful conversation, Eileen discusses her bold ambition for Ritual to become a community-led and employee-owned business. She also stresses the importance o...
Mar 15, 2024•32 min•Ep. 104
Following on from our last episode exploring the equipment required for a successful roastery, today we are releasing the complete interview with Scott Stouffer, Chief Sales Officer, Probat . In this conversation, Scott offers incredible insights into the world of coffee roasting equipment and he sheds light on which markets are growing the fastest. He also discusses the latest trends in technology, including automation and alternative energy, and shares important advice for any roaster looking ...
Mar 13, 2024•30 min
In today's episode we're continuing our series on the business of coffee roasting and focusing on the essential infrastructure required for a successful roastery. We'll speak with Scott Stouffer, Chief Sales Officer, Probat and Andreas Idl, CEO & Founder, Cropster to get an overview of the roasting equipment market globally and find out how technology and AI can be used to improve coffee consistency and quality. We'll also speak with Brian Rice, Roaster, Counter Culture Coffee and Simo Krist...
Mar 08, 2024•46 min•Ep. 103
In today's "Coffee Entrepreneur" episode, we're speaking with Dillon Edwards and AJ Walzer, the team behind one of New York City’s favourite specialty coffee brands - Parlor Coffee. Dillon founded Parlor Coffee in 2012, originally as a pop up espresso bar in a Williamsburg barber’s shop. AJ joined in 2014 and since then, Parlor has grown to a formidable and globally revered roasting business, driven by a passion for origin, community and innovation. In this conversation, Dillon and AJ discuss th...
Mar 01, 2024•37 min•Ep. 102
In today’s episode we're to be joined by Vanusia Nogueira, Executive Director of the International Coffee Organization (ICO). Established in 1963, the ICO was set up to regulate the global coffee market, promote international cooperation and administer the International Coffee Agreement. Today the ICO is as a vital platform for education and consultation, fostering long-term, sustainable production and increasing consumption of quality coffee. In this conversation Vanusia discusses the new regul...
Feb 24, 2024•30 min•Ep. 101
