Coffee Roasting Legends

In this episode of Coffee Roasting Legends, Bill sits down with Hrag Kalebjian — third-generation roaster and co-owner of the legendary Henry’s House of Coffee in San Francisco. This is one of the most inspiring roaster stories you’ll hear all year. Hrag shares how his family’s roasting began in a small bakery in Lebanon, where his grandfather taught roasting by timing first and second crack with...

In this episode of Coffee Roasting Legends, I sit down with Mike Arquinis, co-owner of Mostra Coffee, the acclaimed San Diego roastery honored as Roast Magazine's 2020 Micro Roaster of the Year. Mike shares his inspiring journey from culinary arts to coffee roasting, highlighting how his team leverages their unique backgrounds to craft award-winning coffees that uplift farmers in the Philippines....

In this episode of Coffee Roasting Legends, I sit down with Henrik, the passionate owner of O Coffee in Glendale, California. Together, we explore his journey from being a tea enthusiast to establishing a community-focused roastery that celebrates the intersection of coffee, art, and culture. Henrik shares insights on the challenges and joys of roasting on his San Franciscan SF6, emphasizing the i...

In this episode of Coffee Roasting Legends, I sit down with Luke Waite, founder of Pomolo Coffee Consulting, to discuss his innovative framework, the Core 7, designed to help coffee roasters build sustainable and profitable businesses. Luke shares his journey from a coffee enthusiast to a consultant specializing in operational efficiency, focusing on the essential elements that every roastery must...

From the bright lights of the music stage to the warm glow of a roastery, Matt King’s journey is a masterclass in following your passion — and building a business from the ground up. In this episode of the Coffee Roasting Legends Podcast, Matt — founder of Blue Ridge Bootleg Coffee in Sylva, North Carolina — shares how mentorship, grit, and gratitude shaped his transition from touring musician to...

What does it take to go from roasting lab samples to winning the U.S. Roasting Championship? In this episode of Coffee Roasting Legends, Bill sits down with Eduardo Choza, the 2024 U.S. Roasting Champion, to hear the full arc of his story—from learning the craft on a San Franciscan SF1 to mentoring the next generation of champions. Eduardo shares what it means to roast with intention, how he bounc...

In this episode of Coffee Roasting Legends, I sit down with Marishon and Finch Clark of Freebird & Co. to explore their inspiring journey from corporate America to launching a purpose-driven coffee business. The Clarks share how their passion for creating a values-based legacy led them to the world of specialty coffee. We discuss their transition from HR professionals to coffee roasters, the chall...

In a special twist on our usual format, this episode of Coffee Roasting Legends doesn’t feature a seasoned expert reflecting on decades in the industry. Instead, we meet Frank from Marco Island Coffee Roasters—a passionate newcomer standing at the starting line, looking forward. Host Bill Kennedy explores Frank’s early experiences, including his and his wife Morgan’s vision for building a communit...

Mark Michaelson's journey in the coffee industry, from his beginnings as a pastor to becoming the 2017 US Roaster Champion and Director of Education at San Franciscan Roaster Company. Mark shared his expertise on coffee roasting techniques, teaching methods, and the importance of balancing technical skills with sensory engagement, while also discussing his involvement in training new coffee entrep...

San Franciscan Roaster's Bill Kennedy sat down recently for a talk with Natalie Van Dusen owner of Treeline Coffee Roasters in Montana. When Natalie entered the coffee industry, she noticed the landscape was still heavily male-dominated—especially in roasting. But she didn’t let that stop her. Instead, she leaned into community, built strong networks, and made sure she invested in tools that could...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Sarah, founder of Fetch Coffee, as she shares her journey from coffee enthusiast to specialty coffee roaster and advocate for animal welfare. In this episode, Sarah dives into the challenges and triumphs of building a brand that balances high-quality coffee with a mission-driven purpose. She talks about the equipment choices that shaped her roastery, the...

In the heart of the North Dallas coffee scene, a new institution is making waves. Roasting Headquarters (RHQ), founded by industry veterans Jodi and Abby, is more than just a roastery—it’s a center for education, community, and innovation in specialty coffee. San Franciscan Roaster’s Bill Kennedy sat down with the duo to discuss their journey, the vision behind RHQ, and their unwavering commitment...

Jeff, Karen and B share their story of their lifelong love of coffee which ultimately led to them opening a coffee shop and then moving to roast their own coffee. They discuss their journey, the challenges they had to overcome, and their future plans for their business

When you hear Don Cox’s story, it’s hard not to feel inspired. Don, the founder of Bald Guy Brew, built his coffee roasting business on perseverance, innovation, and a deep passion for quality coffee. From roasting coffee on his porch after a hurricane to coaching over a hundred aspiring roasters, his journey is as rich and layered as the coffee he crafts.