Last week marked the 15th year of the Allegra European Coffee Symposium , held Barcelona. This high profile event welcomed leaders from across Europe’s coffee and hospitality industry for three days of networking, one-on-one meetings, thought leadership and the annual European Coffee Awards. As part of the conference programme, we were delighted to host a series of exclusive interviews with some of the industry’s most celebrated business leaders in the first ever 5THWAVE Podcast Live. And today,...
Dec 08, 2023•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode we're continuing our series exploring the vast and diverse Colombian coffee market. In part one , Alejandro Cadena from Caravela Coffee, shared an overview of the country’s rich tapestry of microclimates and coffee varietals. And today we're immersing ourselves in Colombian coffee culture by speaking with Carolina Castañeda, Director for Europe, Federacion Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia and Jaime Andres Moreno, COO, Café Quindío. In these conversations we discuss the latest...
Nov 24, 2023•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode we're exploring the investment trail to find out how hospitality businesses can prepare and execute a successful funding strategy. We'll speak with David Abrahamovitch, CEO and founder of Grind - a boutique hospitality group that has completed a number of successful multi-million dollar funding rounds. In this conversation, David walks us through each stage of the brand's funding journey - from individual investors to crowdfunding - and shares invaluable advice for entrepreneu...
Nov 17, 2023•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode we're kicking off a new mini series on the Colombian coffee market, exploring the trends and future developments of this vast and diverse coffee growing country. First up, we speak with Alejandro Cadena, CEO & Founder of specialty green coffee exporter, Caravela Coffee , to get an overview of the market and Colombia's different growing regions. In this conversation, Alejandro unpacks Colombia's rich tapestry of microclimates and coffee varietals and discusses the impact of...
Nov 10, 2023•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode, we continue exploring the metrics and KPIs successful hospitality operators use to achieve outstanding results. Last week we heard from Colin Harmon of Dublin’s 3fe about the indicators he employs to maximise the performance of his coffee business. Next up, we speak with Andrew Purcell, Director of Always Bright Group and former Head of Operations for Central London at Soho House . In this conversation Andrew shares the simple but effective framework he uses to deliver operat...
Nov 03, 2023•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the next two episodes we’re exploring the critical business metrics and KPIs successful coffee and hospitality operators use to achieve outstanding results. First up we speak with Colin Harmon, Founder and CEO of 3fe - an iconic chain of specialty coffee shops and roastery based in Dublin. In this conversation, Colin discusses the importance of taking a long-term view to achieve your goals and shares the metrics he tracks to maximise business performance. For more on how to build a coffee sho...
Oct 27, 2023•28 min•Ep 87•Transcript available on Metacast On the podcast today we're exploring the hospitality marketing landscape and unpacking the various channels and strategies operators can use to promote their brand. In conversations with Andrew Stone, Vice President Marketing at Bluestone Lane and marketing consultant Emily Karim , we find out how hospitality operators can successfully adapt to the fast-changing marketing landscape and consistently attract new customers to their businesses. Credits music: "Sun and Rain" by The Grove in associati...
Oct 20, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s episode we’re speaking with Tareq Alshaikh, co-founder of Pinnacle Group, the hospitality partner operating Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters, across the GCC. Founded in Australia by Toby Smith in the late 1990s, Toby’s Estate is now a highly respected and pioneering specialty coffee brand across the world. In 2015, Pinnacle Group partnered with Toby’s Estate to franchise the brand in the GCC and now have 20 outlets across Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In this conversation, Tar...
Oct 13, 2023•17 min•Ep 85•Transcript available on Metacast Today, we’re finishing off our interview series speaking with some of New York’s leading boutique coffee businesses by catching up with Brandon Peña and Sam Sepulveda, Co-founders of 787 Coffee . Founded in 2017, 787 Coffee is one of the fastest boutique coffee chains in New York. They now operate 17 sites in the city, 2 in El Paso Texas and 4 in their native Puerto Rico where they also operate their own coffee farm. In this conversation they discuss what it means to be a leader, their responsib...
Oct 08, 2023•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode we continue our interview series speaking with some of New York’s leading boutique coffee businesses. Next up we’re speaking with Gavin Compton and Ryan Wanslow, Owner and Managing Director respectively at Variety Coffee Roasters. In this conversation we discuss the importance of staying original and true to your roots, keeping it simple and, most of all - making sure you enjoy the journey. Credits music: "For Me" by Norman Alexander in association with The Coffee Music Projec...
Oct 07, 2023•20 min•Ep 83•Transcript available on Metacast This week we’re back in New York City for the New York Coffee Festiva l 2023! Over the next three days we’re bringing you exclusive interviews with the founders of three highly successful boutique coffee businesses in New York. First up we speak with Hazel de los Reyes and Clare Lim, Co-founders Gumption Coffee . In this conversation we discuss their belief in the transformational power of the coffee, the lessons they’ve learned in setting up in New York City, and the importance of being fearles...
Oct 06, 2023•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s episode we’re speaking with Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood, Founder of Colonna Coffee - a boutique specialty coffee business in the UK. A celebrated author and innovator in the world of coffee, Maxwell will soon be releasing a new book - The Business of Specialty Coffee - exploring the models and operating margins of businesses across the specialty coffee supply chain. We sit down with Maxwell to find out what to expect from his latest publication and discuss his new coffee shop venture in ...
Sep 29, 2023•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast On the podcast today we’re delving into the worlds of coffee and sport to explore the synergies between these two high profile industries. We'll be speaking with Dr Lindsy Kass , Principle Lecturer, University of Hertfordshire to get a deeper understanding of what caffeine does to the body and how it can affect athletic performance. We'll also hear from Caleb Benoit, Founder, Connect Roasters and Major League Baseball player Ian Happ from the Chicago Cubs, about their business partnership and th...
Sep 22, 2023•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast In our second episode of our summer break, we revisit another inspiring conversation I had with Isabela Raposeiras last year. Isabela is a former Brazilian Barista Champion, Founder of pioneering specialty coffee and coffee education business, Coffee Lab in São Paulo and one of the most accomplished female leaders in the global coffee industry. Credits music: "Curandeiras" by Isadora Canto Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE ...
Sep 08, 2023•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’re taking a short summer break here at 5THWAVE and returning to our usual schedule in two weeks. But to tide you over we’re revisiting a couple of our favourite conversations from the last three years. First up is an incredible James Hoffmann . James is a world-renowned figure in the global coffee industry. A former World Barista Champion, co-founder of Square Mile Coffee Roasters, and author of The World Atlas of Coffee, and a prolific YouTuber who has amassed almost 2 million subscribers. I...
Sep 01, 2023•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast On the podcast today, we're continuing our exploration of talent management and finding out how Brexit, the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis has impacted hospitality staffing in the UK. We speak with Mark McCulloch, marketing guru and Founder of Hospitality Rising to hear how the organisation's multi-layered media campaign is changing the perception of hospitality as a viable career. We also speak with Jakob Gundersen, Head of UK Operations, Joe & the Juice, and Max Dubiel, Founder, Re...
Aug 18, 2023•35 min•Ep 77•Transcript available on Metacast On the podcast today, we’re speaking with James Hennebry, entrepreneur and Co-founder of Rosslyn Coffee - a boutique specialty coffee business in the heart of London’s financial district and one of the city's standout hospitality venues. With a longstanding background in hospitality that’s taken him from his native Ireland to Asia, Melbourne Australia and now London, James opened the doors to Rosslyn with business partner Mat Russell in 2018. They now have three sites across London’s Square Mile...
Aug 11, 2023•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s episode we’re chatting with coffee guru Peter Giuliano - an incredibly influential figure in the coffee industry and a true global visionary. With a career spanning more than 30 years. Peter was the Co-owner of North Carolina-based roaster Counter Culture Coffee where he helped build their pioneering direct sourcing and transparency model. Peter now serves as Executive Director at The Coffee Science Foundation and is Chief Research Officer at the Specialty Coffee Association , oversee...
Aug 04, 2023•30 min•Ep 75•Transcript available on Metacast On the podcast today we’re kicking off a feature on talent management to understand how the hospitality industry can protect its key asset - people. In part one we focus on people strategy and find out how leading hospitality businesses foster a positive work culture. In conversations with Jonathan Crookall, Chief People Officer, Costa Coffee , Brooke Gray, Director of People, Equator Coffees and Henry Ayers, Co-founder, The Gentlemen Baristas, we discuss the staffing challenges they are current...
Jul 28, 2023•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast On the podcast today we're catching up with newly-crowned World Barista Champion Boram Um. Born in Brazil to South Korean parents, Boram is the founder of boutique specialty coffee business Um Coffee Co. and is the first Brazilian winner in the competition’s history. In this conversation, Boram discusses his mission to educate Brazilian consumers about the joys of home-grown specialty coffee and shares his pride in becoming a role model for the next generation of Brazilian specialty coffee profe...
Jul 21, 2023•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast On the podcast today, we're catching up with industry legend Peter Dore-Smith - the man behind Fitzrovia's iconic coffee shop, Kaffeine , and one of the early pioneers of the London specialty coffee movement. In this insightful conversation, Peter tells the story of how he started Kaffeine, shares his people-centric approach to hiring, and why delivering genuine hospitality within his local community is the driving force behind his business. Credits music: "Fortunately" by Scott Krokoff in colla...
Jul 14, 2023•27 min•Ep 72•Transcript available on Metacast In the final part of our series on the Indian coffee market, we’re travelling to origin to explore what's happening in India’s vast and dynamic coffee farm sector. To get to know this sector better, we speak with Ashok Kuriyan and Rohan Kuriyan, Managing Director and Manager of Corporate Affairs at Balanoor Plantations - a renowned producer of specialty coffee in Karnataka, India. In this conversation, Ashok and Rohan discuss Indian consumers' growing interest in the origin of home grown coffees...
Jul 07, 2023•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode we're continuing our exploration of the Indian coffee market and turning the spotlight on the country's rapidly growing love for specialty coffee. In conversations with Namrata Asthana and Matt Chitharanjan, Founders, Blue Tokai, Mike Khan, Area Export Manager, La Marzocco , and Rahul Reddy, Founder, Subko Specialty Coffee Roasters , we find out how specialty coffee is being adapted for the Indian consumer, what's driving the market's impressive growth and how leading specialt...
Jun 30, 2023•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a new three-part series, we're exploring the exciting growth potential for coffee businesses in India - from international chains and the rise of specialty coffee to the increasing recognition of Indian grown coffees. To kick things off, we're speaking with Deepa Krishnan, Chief Marketing Officer of international powerhouse Tata Starbucks - a joint venture between Starbucks and India's Tata Consumer Products. In this fascinating conversation Deepa shares insights on Tata Starbucks’ expansion ...
Jun 23, 2023•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode we're continuing our exploration of the fast-developing coffee at-home market and how businesses can harness growth opportunities in this lucrative segment. In part two, we focus on retail coffee and chat with Will Corby, Director of Coffee and Social Impact at Pact Coffee , Jon Allen, Creative Director, Onyx Coffee Lab and Jonny England, Director of Coffee, Löfbergs UK&I to find out what types of coffee consumers are brewing at home and the trends that are shaping the fut...
Jun 09, 2023•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast On the podcast today we're kicking off a two-part series exploring the remarkable growth of the at-home specialty coffee market and the rise of the home barista. In part one, we focus on at-home coffee equipment and speak with Dave Gubbin, President, Sage Appliances EMEA and John Holmquist, Commercial and Residential Sales Manager, Seattle Coffee Gear to uncover the growing demand for high-end home coffee machines across the UK, Europe and the US. We also speak with Andrew Pautler, Founder of In...
May 26, 2023•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast On the podcast today, we're speaking with three successful independent London operators to uncover the secrets to a thriving neighbourhood cafe and the role coffee shops play within the local community. In conversations with Peter Dore-Smith, Founder Kaffeine , Kim Hargreaves, Founder and Managing Director, Boki Coffee , and Dani Reid and Agnes Potter, Co-founders, Potter & Reid , we discuss how to build a loyal local following, foster meaningful interactions between customers and staff, and...
May 12, 2023•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast On the podcast today we're exploring the rise of digital loyalty apps and how these tools are revolutionising the way operators engage with their customers. We first speak with two leading coffee shop app developers, Miles Bailey and Tim Silbermann, Founders of RWRD and Ali Al Ebrahim, Founder and CEO, COFE App , to understand the vast benefits these technologies can generate for operators. We then speak with James Flett, Head of Marketing, Caffè Nero to find out how the brand uses gamification ...
Apr 28, 2023•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast The London Coffee Festival returns from 20 to 23 April 2023 and with it comes a four day celebration of London’s vibrant coffee scene and the incredible people and communities that help the coffee industry continue to thrive. Now entering its 12th year, The London Coffee Festival has grown to a formidable event, featuring 200+ exhibitors and welcoming over 30,000 trade and consumer visitors through its doors each year. So to celebrate the legacy and the future of this iconic coffee event, we’re ...
Apr 14, 2023•38 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast On the podcast this week we're opening the door to the culinary world to find out how successful restaurant operators deliver consistent and high-quality customer service experiences for their guests. We first speak with Alex Susskind, Professor of Food and Beverage Management at Cornell University’s Nolan School to understand the conceptual framework behind creating exceptional customer service. We also speak with two standout restaurant operators, Laura Harper-Hinton, CEO and Co-Founder, Carav...
Apr 06, 2023•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
