5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality

In today's episode, we're exploring the growing global trend of co-roasting – a collaborative and community-driven approach that has been gaining traction in recent years.  How does co-roasting work? What are the benefits for roasters? And how does this model support the wider coffee community? To find out, we’ll hear from the founders of three exciting shared roasting concepts: Philipp Reichel, C...

Today, we’re excited to bring you the next instalment of our 5THWAVE Live sessions, recorded at the European Coffee Symposium in Berlin 2024.  We welcome back to the show David Abrahamovitch, CEO and founder of Grind – a boutique hospitality group with 14 locations, a roastery and thriving direct-to-consumer coffee business. In this candid conversation, David shares his strategies for securing cap...

Today, we're continuing our deep dive into how water quality can transform the taste and character of coffee. In part one, we explored the fascinating science behind water and coffee brewing. In part two, we’ll find out how water science is being applied in practice to elevate customer experience.  We'll speak with Maximillian Lundin, Product Marketing Manager at Bluewater Group , and Sergio Barba...

Over the next two episodes, we’re deep-diving into the fascinating science of how water quality can profoundly transform the flavour and character of your coffee.  In part one, we’re donning our lab coats to explore water chemistry and its impact on coffee. We'll speak with Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood , coffee entrepreneur and author, and Christopher H. Hendon, Associate Professor of Chemistry at the...

Today we're returning to our interviews recorded live at The European Coffee Symposium in Berlin last month. In this episode, we’re exploring the impact of the incoming European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) directive. We’re joined by Kajsa-Lisa Ljudén and Jonny England, Head of Sustainability and Head of Coffee respectively at Löfbergs , and Pim Pilose, Success Manager at technology platform Er...

Today we’re sharing the second interview from our 5THWAVE Live sessions recorded at the European Coffee Symposium in Berlin.   In this episode, we’re joined by Chris Salierno, Chief Marketing Officer at La Marzocco . La Marzocco is a powerhouse in the espresso machine industry, celebrated for its exceptional quality, innovative technology and dedication to fostering a global coffee community.   In...

Earlier this month, the European Coffee Symposium returned for its 15th edition, hosted in the vibrant city of Berlin. This prestigious event brought together leaders from across Europe’s coffee and hospitality industry for four days of networking, one-on-one meetings, and thought leadership – all culminating in the launch of the brand-new Coffee + Hospitality Expo ! As part of the conference prog...

Next week marks the 15th anniversary of the European Coffee Symposium (ECS), set in the effortlessly cool city of Berlin, Germany. Alongside ECS, we're thrilled to be launching the Coffee & Hospitality Expo – two landmark events coming together in one of Europe’s most dynamic coffee capitals. This gathering is an opportunity to dive into the latest market insights, create new business connecti...

From coffee roasters and food & beverage providers to packaging and equipment manufacturers, the multi-billion dollar coffee industry is packed with supplier categories. In a crowded marketplace where suppliers are constantly vying for buyers’ attention, the stakes for winning new business are higher than ever. So, as a supplier, how do you stand out from the crowd? How do you impress operator...

In today’s episode, we speak with prolific coffee entrepreneur Murray d’Almeida, founder of Retail Food Group and the visionary behind a number of influential hospitality brands across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. With a career spanning over 50 years, Murray has mentored many industry figures and remains a dynamic source of inspiration and wisdom today. In this conversation, Mur...

In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Esther Maasdam, Co-founder of Manhattan Coffee Roasters , a renowned specialty coffee business based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Esther founded Manhattan Coffee with business partner, Ben Morrow, in 2017, with the vision of bringing world-class specialty coffees to European markets. Esther also runs an events consulting business , offering specialty baris...

Next week marks the start of UK Coffee Week – a nationwide celebration and fundraiser led by Project Waterfall, which aims to bring clean water and sanitation to coffee-growing communities. Every year, hundreds of coffee shops, restaurants, and roasters across the UK come together to host exciting events and activities, raising both awareness and vital funds for this important cause. In today’s ep...

In this episode we’re diving back into the topic of office coffee and exploring how coffee businesses are adapting to the evolving workplace dynamics. In part one, we examined the office coffee markets in the UK and Europe and in this episode we'll take an in-depth look at the US market. We'll speak with Daniele Foti, Marketing VP, Lavazza North America , Erin Moshier, VP of Growth, Aramark and Tr...

In today’s episode, we're speaking with Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte, Founders of Maman , a French-inspired boutique café and bakery chain that began in New York and has since expanded across the US and to Canada. Since its founding in 2014, Maman has grown exponentially, and by the end of this year, they’ll be celebrating a remarkable milestone of 40 stores, including locations in New Yor...

In today’s episode, we welcome back Roland Horne, CEO and founder of WatchHouse , one of the world’s leading boutique specialty coffee businesses. This month, WatchHouse celebrates its 10th anniversary — a milestone for this ambitious and fast-growing brand, which now operates 20 boutique coffee houses across London, Bath, and New York City. Roland has led WatchHouse through multiple funding round...

In this episode, we’re speaking with Regina Frey, Founder of Orang Utan Coffee, and Diana Kosmanto, its CEO. Orang Utan Coffee is a unique coffee trader and social enterprise dedicated to supporting rainforest conservation and empowering local coffee farmers in Sumatra. Founded in 2004, Orang Utan Coffee’s model is one of collaboration rather than ownership, partnering closely with farmers to prom...

Following on from our last episode on coffee and music, we're bringing you an extra special bonus interview today with one of my favourite musicians - Grammy Winner and friend of the podcast, Nicole Zuraitis. We first met Nicole in 2016 when she won the Coffee Music Project New York Competition with her wonderful track “I Like You A Latte”. Fast-forward 8 years and Nicole is now an award-winning j...

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...

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 D...

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...

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 b...

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...

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 empowe...

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...

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,...