London Coffee Podcast

In this episode of the London Coffee Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Whitworth-Smith, founder of The Cupping Directives and Waypoint. Andrew shares his journey from barista to coffee community builder, the story behind creating a central hub for coffee events, and his mission to make coffee education more accessible. We explore sensory experiences, co-fermentation, sustainability, and the future...

Jamie Strachan, Head Roaster at Caravan Coffee Roasters, joins the London Coffee Podcast to talk about his journey into coffee, the power of community, responsible sourcing, regenerative agriculture, and what it takes to create meaningful impact across the coffee chain.   Credits music: Alive by Greta Lovisa in association with The Coffee Music Project Create a free profile on The London Coffee Gu...

In this episode of the London Coffee Podcast, we're talking with Jayne Cromwell, co-founder of Carnival Coffee Roaster. Jayne shares the extraordinary story of how her partner Juan's grandfather won a coffee farm in Colombia in a poker game. We're going to explore Carnival’s remarkable journey from a garden shed roastery during lockdown to one of South London's most community-focused coffee busine...

For our 20th episode of the London Coffee Podcast, we’re delighted to welcome David Rickenback — Coffee Beverage Community Expert, competition judge, and coach. With an extensive career across the coffee industry, David might just have one of the best jobs in coffee. In this episode, we talk about building a destination coffee shop in London, navigating a career in coffee, and the importance of in...

In this episode, we chat with Siala Farani-Tomlin about her journey in coffee — from front of house to Head of Coffee. We explore the importance of origin trips and how coffee continues to shape the lives of people around the world. Credits music: Simple One by London Artists Elle Delanee and Hogarth Hannam in association with The Coffee Music Project Create a free profile on The London Coffee Gui...

Today we’re talking all things flat white with, of course, Flat White Frank. We discuss his amazing story of finding a niche and growing a social media following around coffee. Along the way, we get into the details of what actually makes a great flat white and, naturally, attempt to answer the big question: where can you find the best flatty in London… and maybe even the world? Credits music: "On...

In this episode, we chat with Matthew Orchard and Jamie Rose from Plot Roasting, about their journey into coffee and the story behind building their roastery. They share insights into their education courses, the challenges of running a coffee business today, and their perspective on how London’s coffee scene is set to evolve. Credits music: "Home With A View" by  London artist HOLNE in associatio...

Today’s episode takes us inside the story of Moonstruck Café with its founder, Liam Clifford. In just two years, Moonstruck has become one of London’s most respected coffee spots, earning its place among the top venues in the London Coffee Guide. We dive into Liam’s journey from passionate coffee enthusiast to business owner, exploring how he’s stayed true to his purist vision while building a nam...

In this episode, we welcome Simon Peace , co-founder of High Ground Coffee , to the studio. We talk about the realities of running a neighbourhood café in London — from the economics behind the business to the growing challenges operators face today, including rising costs and high VAT rates on hospitality in the UK. Simon shares an honest perspective on what it really takes to keep a coffee busin...

Today we’re joined in the studio by Ellie East — musician, artist, professional drummer, and London Coffee Guide Ambassador. We talk about Ellie’s journey in music, how coffee became part of her creative life, and why cafés so often become natural meeting points for artists and creative communities. Credits music: "Dirty Harry" by  London artist Rosie Smith  in association with The Coffee Music Pr...

In this episode of the London Coffee Podcast, we’re joined in the studio by Brendan Olley and Chris Fields, the co-founders of SHED London. SHED is more than a café concept — it’s also a photo studio, workspace, and wine bar. A space where coffee, wine, food, and art come together, built around community and creativity. We talk about what it takes to run a three-site, multi-faucet business, how th...

Love coffee culture with a side of chaos, creativity, and strong opinions? This episode of the London Coffee Podcast is for you. We sit down with Tom Noble, Charlie Hurst, and Will Sudlow—the team behind Flat White or Fk Off . You’ve probably seen it online, and if you were lucky, you may have caught their recent pop-up that had all of London talking. We dive into the full story of the project—fro...

In this episode of the London Coffee Podcast, we’re in the studio with Kunsang Prohl, Director and Head Roaster at Intermission Coffee in West Hampstead.  For Kunsang, Intermission is more than just a café and roastery — it’s a philosophy built on ethical sourcing, sustainability, and putting people first. We talk about the story behind the brand, how Intermission approaches roasting and relations...

This week, we’re joined by James Hennebry , CEO and Co-Founder of Rosslyn Coffee — one of London’s most respected independent specialty coffee brands. With eight shops within a single square mile , Rosslyn has become a benchmark for high-volume coffee done exceptionally well. We dive into the Rosslyn success story, what’s driven their growth, and how they keep standards so consistently high at sca...

In this episode, Roger Hart, founder of Store Street Espresso, shares what it’s like to run an independent London coffee business for over 15 years. The conversation explores how he got started, the realities of building a long-lasting brand, and the lessons learned from navigating major challenges. Roger reflects on resilience, adaptability, and what it takes to come back stronger in an ever-chan...

In this episode of the London Coffee Podcast, we sit down with Nicole Kostova , founder of Hyde and Seek Running Club — a Saturday morning ritual that’s been bringing people together for movement, connection, and post-run coffee for the past two years. We talk about how running and coffee naturally intersect, what makes a coffee shop somewhere you want to return to, and why community-led rituals m...

In this episode of the London Coffee Podcast , we sit down with Johnny, founder of Calico Coffee — a café that has quickly become one of London’s must-visit spots and secured a Top 10 place in the London Coffee Guide in under a year . We explore the story behind Calico’s creation, the journey from idea to opening, and what it truly takes to build an inspired coffee space in one of the most competi...

Ritesh Doshi, CEO of Spring Valley Coffee, joins the London Coffee podcast to talk about the journey of one of Kenya’s most respected specialty coffee roasters — and its recent arrival in London. From Nairobi to London, the conversation explores African coffee culture, building a values-driven business, and Riteish's philosophy of empowered people, purpose, and hospitality. An episode about connec...

Adnan Millwala, Victor Gamboa, and Santiago Gamboa are the co-founders of Hermanos — a bold, colourful brand bringing Colombian heritage and exceptional coffee into the fabric of London’s specialty scene. This episode traces the story behind Hermanos, from its early beginnings to the values shaping the brand today. The conversation moves through inspiration, identity, and the role coffee plays as...

Nick Mabey and Michael Cleland, co-founders of Assembly Coffee , are leading the way in independent roasting with a focus on innovation and sustainability. In this episode, we explore their journey from concept to opening Assembly, how they are shaping the future of specialty coffee, and what it truly takes to run a business grounded in sustainability and forward-thinking practices. Hear firsthand...

Ant Duckworth, founder and CEO of Dear Coco , has taken a humble mobile coffee van and turned it into a West London favourite — now expanding to multiple locations. In this episode, we explore what it truly takes to run a coffee business in today’s economic climate, from managing growth to staying resilient in challenging times. Ant also shares how his authentic approach to social media has become...

In this episode, host Jeffrey Young sits down with Saskia Blum , co-founder of Batch Baby — one of East London’s standouts and firmly in our LCG Top 10. Saskia shares how Batch Baby grew from a tiny neighbourhood spot into a vibrant community hub, how creative collaborations helped the business thrive, and why keeping things fun behind the bar matters just as much as brewing excellent coffee. Tune...

Welcome to The London Coffee Podcast , a brand-new interview series exploring the people, passion, and creativity behind London’s specialty coffee scene. Our host, Jeffrey Young , sits down with founders, entrepreneurs, and key people behind some of London’s most inspiring coffee businesses — uncovering the stories, lessons, and craft that shape one of the most vibrant coffee cities on the planet....