We have some thoughts following Tuesday’s episode with Nathan Toleman, including the disputed origins of the smashed avo…and how he managed 24 individual venues without franchising! Plus, get all your coffee market updates including recent price increases and Fellow’s espresso machine debut. Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (eek), hospitality stories and gate kept coffee secrets. Want m...
May 07, 2025•23 min
Opening 24 venues over the past 20 years, Nathan Toleman is a true legend of the hospitality world. He’s the founder and Creative Director of The Mulberry Group, opening iconic venues such as Top Paddock, Kettle Black, Higher Ground, Liminal and Heide Kitchen. Nathan joins us in the studio to share how he became one of Melbourne’s most innovative hospitality entrepreneurs. If you're a cafe/restaurant owner or aspiring to have your own venue one day, this is the episode for you. If you're new her...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 6 min
We recap our key takeaways from Ollie Brown and Tuesday’s deep dive into the coffee market (tune in if you missed the full episode!). Then, it’s AeroPress training time -Sonam and Liam break down a precise, competition-style recipe using Condesa’s Peru single origin, and things turn out DELICIOUS! We also chat about the future of the coffee industry, including the rise of automation, the environmental pressures on farmers, and what it actually means to really know your coffee’s origin. Plus: big...
Apr 30, 2025•20 min
Why is the cost of coffee rising so quickly?Today we’re joined by Oliver Brown, Sales and Relations Manager at Condesa Co.Lab, to unpack the complexities and volatility of coffee pricing.We’ll break down the C-price, dive into the dynamics of supply and demand, and explore the environmental challenges impacting coffee production. Plus we’re asking the big question: what does the future of the coffee industry hold? Could we really be paying $10 for a latte by the end of 2025?!If you're new here (...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Let’s Coffee Break! On today’s show: We brew up a Danish championship recipe using a filter roast Ethiopian heirloom with notes of blueberry, mandarin, and jasmine. Plus, we discuss the simplicity of AeroPress brewing, share our current home barista setups, and explore the buzz from a Japanese coffee festival. Also…we’re on the quest to find Australia’s busiest cafe!? Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltere...
Apr 23, 2025•26 min
Today we’re joined by one of Melbourne’s most influential hospitality entrepreneurs, Kantaro Okada! He’s the man behind cult favorites like 279, Chiaki, Sebastian Kakigori, Le Bajo Milk Bar and Leonie Upstairs. His latest project, the 2025 Coffee Weekend in Melbourne, is set to be a groundbreaking event, featuring 27 of Japan's top coffee roasters. In this episode we attempt to uncover his creative world: a journey through hospitality, design, and cultural exchange. If you're new here (welcome),...
Apr 21, 2025•49 min
In today’s Coffee Break: We reflect on the humility and patience necessary to Ziv’s product design journey, and discuss the future of milk solutions. Plus, we brainstorm our own inventions to improve the coffee industry and continue our search for a new host! Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (eek), hospitality stories and gate kept coffee secrets. Want more coffee content? IT'S JUST COF...
Apr 16, 2025•16 min
Ziv Shalev is the man who’s made waves in the coffee industry time and time again. He’s pushed the boundaries of both hardware and software in the coffee space - from designing his groundbreaking automatic milk steamer in his garage, to facilitating one of the biggest coffee subscription services in Beanz.com. Ziv joins us to discuss his commitment to innovation in the industry. For those interested in product design, startup culture or intersection of coffee and technology, this one's for you! ...
Apr 16, 2025•59 min
This week’s Coffee Break we are reflecting on our chat with Andy Cooks and pointing out our most valuable takeaways. Plus, new coffee tools have hit the market: How will Flair’s stovetop milk steaming device and the NCD Pulse for coffee distribution change the way you brew? Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (eek), hospitality stories and gate kept coffee secrets. Want more coffee content...
Apr 09, 2025•33 min
Welcome to It’s Just Coffee - the podcast that brews up everything from industry gossip to world-class gear tips. Hosted by Rohan Cooke, each episode dives deep into the culture, craft, and chaos of the coffee world. From chats with World Barista Champions and café owners killing it, to viral chefs and comedy legends, we cover it all. Hear from the biggest names like Scott Rao, Anthony Douglas, Sasa Sestic, Jen Fricker, and many more. Whether you’re a home barista looking to level up or just her...
Apr 09, 2025•1 min
On today’s show: Andy Hearnden, also known as Andy Cooks, joins us in the studio to discuss his remarkable journey to becoming a leading culinary influencer. Since working at Melbourne's iconic ST. ALi, he’s amassed millions of followers, partnered with BOSS Coffee, released a smash-hit cookbook, and collaborated with personalities like Rita Ora and Taika Waititi— and he’s only just getting started... This fantastic conversation offers valuable insights for anyone trying to make it in the indus...
Apr 07, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Let’s take a Coffee Break! On today’s show: How did Tim Williams transform Climpson and Sons into a destination café and popular London roaster?…Liam is entering the next World AeroPress Championship… Plus! We compare espresso vs. drip coffee, and explore the subjective nature and historical context of natural coffees. Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (eek), hospitality stories and gate...
Apr 02, 2025•23 min
Tim Williams is the founder of Fieldwork Coffee in Melbourne and the director of the World AeroPress Championship (WAC). In today’s episode, we deep-dive the origins of the WAC and explore what makes the competition unique. Tim also shares his entrepreneurial journey, the impact of COVID-19, and his experience working alongside the legendary James Hoffmann. And don’t miss out on a heated discussion: Are home baristas threatening the future of cafes? If you're new here (welcome), our show dives i...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 35 min
On today’s show: We’re recapping MICE2025! The event saw over 31,000 attendees walk through the doors - so what made this year double its previous attendance record? Joined by MICE Show Director Lauren Chartres, we reflect on the event’s key features, live performances and interactive exhibitions. Plus what’s on the table for 2026...? Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (eek), hospitality ...
Mar 26, 2025•38 min
We’re joined by Arthur Karuletwa and Ben Liebmann to discuss tackling poverty through coffee live at MICE2025. Arthur is a social entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience using coffee and agriculture to uplift communities. Ben is the founder of Understory and the Executive Producer of Omnivore - the eight-part culinary docuseries. This was an enlightening discussion surrounding traceability, Rwanda’s coffee industry, and Arthur’s incredible journey. If you're new here (welcome), our show di...
Mar 24, 2025•37 min
On today’s Coffee Break: we debate buying the entire set of the Lion King musical, share our thoughts on filtered water, and spill the beans on our current favorite coffee shops in Melbourne. Plus, MICE is only a few days away! We’ll be there at the ‘It’s Just Coffee Podcast’ Stall - be sure to come say hello. Get 50% OFF your MICE tickets by using code ITSJUSTCOFFEE at checkout! Details: 20-22 March 2025 - Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, 10am-5pm daily Get Tickets: https://interna...
Mar 19, 2025•21 min•Ep. 95
Well it’s almost our favourite time of year… Melbourne International Coffee Festival (MICE)! We’re joined by Lauren Chartres, MICE’s Show Director, to discuss everything you need to know about the upcoming expo. 2025 brings exciting new features, in depth masterclasses and of course lots of amazing coffee to try! Plan your day and make sure to visit us at the ‘It’s Just Coffee Podcast’ stall (near the Roaster's Playground!). We’ll be doing live shows, giveaways and demos. Use code ITSJUSTCOFFEE ...
Mar 17, 2025•39 min•Ep. 94
Why should you care about coffee grounds? In today’s show: We discuss using coffee grounds for eco-bricks, biofuel and mushroom cultivation, the importance of companies like Reground, and the environmental impact of the coffee industry. Plus, what should you be doing as a home brewer to support a sustainable future? Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (eek), hospitality stories and gate ke...
Mar 12, 2025•17 min•Ep. 93
Join us as we do the rounds with Beatrice from Reground! Reground is transforming waste, collecting used coffee grounds and soft plastics from cafes and roasteries, diverting over 2 million kilograms of waste from landfills! In today’s episode, we explore their innovative process: turning coffee grounds into rich compost and fertilizer, while soft plastics are repurposed into oil. Along the way, we visit local cafes, tackling the challenges of recycling and exploring the crucial role consumer ed...
Mar 10, 2025•42 min•Ep. 92
Grab a COFFEE and take a BREAK. On today’s show: dining in UAE causes a minor lapse in Kirk’s vego diet (blame the wagyu double smash patty), we revel at seeing the Burj Khalifa in real life and reflect on the prevalence of expats and economic transition away from oil in Dubai. Plus, what are our thoughts on Pete Licata's ‘Caffeine Control Coffee’ and are we jumping on his 4-Week Caffeine Reduction Plan..? Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the...
Mar 05, 2025•24 min•Ep. 91
Pete Licata, former World Barista Champion, joins us to talk about ‘Caffeine Control Coffee,’ an Australian roastery launched by Pete and his wife in 2024. The brand focuses on managing caffeine intake for improved sleep and overall wellbeing (we were served some hard truths!). We discuss various decaffeination methods as well as a greater need for caffeine education. Pete shares his experience in the industry, from his first competition back in 2005, to moving to Melbourne in 2019 for a R&D...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 90
It’s the final episode of our Dubai Special! We’re reflecting on the incredible experience that was ‘World of Coffee Dubai’ — the first time we’ve taken the podcast internationally, and what an absolute privilege it’s been. We’re a bit blurry-eyed in the hotel lobby (literally), but feeling full of love and gratitude. World of Coffee Dubai is a world-class event, and we made sure to soak in everything it had to offer. In this episode, we look back at our favorite stalls, the amazing caliber of g...
Feb 27, 2025•39 min•Ep. 89
Dave Crosby and Cole Torode are the dynamic duo behind ‘Buy The Drip,’ the podcast exploring the craft and business of coffee. We caught up with them in Dubai to talk about their careers in competition and coaching. Dave and Cole also share the journey behind ‘Forward Coffee’ and ‘Russell Coffee Roasters’, and we dig into a fun question: What do Canadians really think of the Australian coffee scene? Of course, we had to connect over our shared experience of hosting coffee podcasts — turns out, w...
Feb 26, 2025•55 min•Ep. 88
Ben is a renowned Canadian barista, with Six Canadian Barista Championship titles and multiple World Barista Championship finals under his belt. We caught up with Ben at World of Coffee Dubai to discuss his approach to competition - Why is it crucial to have a deep understanding of coffee production? Ben also opens up about the sacrifices required for a career in coffee and the ongoing challenge of a work-life balance. As a family man, origin trips are few and far between - so you’ve gotta make ...
Feb 25, 2025•28 min•Ep. 87
Welcome back to our ‘World of Coffee Dubai Special!’ Today, we’re thrilled to be joined by Majed Altamimi, a prominent figure in Dubai’s coffee scene. As a passionate coffee influencer, Majed uses his platform to showcase and elevate Dubai’s vibrant coffee culture. He’s also dedicated to establishing Dubai as a global coffee hub, drawing in businesses, growers, and coffee enthusiasts from all corners of the world to take part in events like World of Coffee Dubai (including us!). We dive into why...
Feb 24, 2025•25 min•Ep. 86
The Special keeps on specialing… We are so excited for this episode, as we’ve finally pinned down the legend Sam Corra!! Sam is the Director of Coffee at the Australian specialty roastery ‘Ona Coffee’ and General Manager of Nucleus Coffee Tools. In this episode we discuss Ona’s top blends over the years and the emergence of some exciting new origins…(ooooh). We also explore new tech including AI chat bots to improve customer support and the Link Roaster developed by Cafe Logic in New Zealand. An...
Feb 20, 2025•28 min•Ep. 85
Day 3 Baby! Our ‘World Of Coffee Dubai Special’ is just heating up… Today we welcome the winner of the 2024 Qatar National Brewers Cup, Eduard Inocencio! Eduard's passion for coffee began in the Philippines, where he first worked as a barista. In 2017, he relocated to Qatar and quickly became a trailblazer of the country's specialty coffee scene. He’s now a production roaster at Honoroast Specialty Coffee and is set to compete in the World Brewers Cup later this year in Jakarta. In today’s show:...
Feb 19, 2025•22 min•Ep. 84
Hello there fellow travelers! We’re back with another deep dive from World of Coffee Dubai , and today, we’re welcoming back one of our favorite guests— Simon Gautherin from APAX Lab! Simon and Kirk explore Dubai’s late-night coffee culture and how it compares to Australia, then get into the real secret behind great coffee—water quality. Simon breaks down the science behind minerals in water, why bad water = bad coffee, and how APAX Lab is changing the game with mineral-enhanced solutions. It’s ...
Feb 18, 2025•20 min•Ep. 83
Hello! It’s our World Of Coffee Dubai Special !, double the caffeine, double the podcasts. Today we welcome Hidenori Izaki! Hidenori is a World Barista Champion, coffee business consultant and founder of Cokuun Coffee Shop. He’s a legend in the coffee world, making history as Japan's first Barista Champion and mentoring others to success, including champion Sasa Sestic. In this episode, we discuss his exclusive ‘reservation-only’ coffee shop and explore his vision of elevating coffee to a fine d...
Feb 17, 2025•24 min•Ep. 82
Fahad is an absolute coffee enthusiast, with expertise in coffee roasting, coffee consulting, certified trainer, and judge for international competitions. He is also part of Saudi Coffee Company, a company that strives to put Saudi Arabia on the global coffee map. In this conversation, we chat about Saudi Coffee Company’s farming and investment initiatives, Fahad’s passion for sharing Saudi Arabia’s coffee legacy, and we even get his thoughts on Melbourne’s cafe scene. (hint: they should be open...
Feb 13, 2025•26 min•Ep. 81
