5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality

World Coffee Portal
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Dec 12, 2025 • 45min

The Head of Coffee Summit – Recorded live at COHO

Continuing our series of unfiltered discussions from The European Coffee Symposium, we are at the COHO Head of Coffee Summit, led by James Hennebry, Co-founder of Rosslyn Coffee. James is joined by an exceptional panel of leaders: Agnes Potter, Managing Director, Allpress UK, Josh Brown, Commercial Director. WatchHouse, Julian Weresch, Head of Coffee UK&I, Sodexo and Travis Wilson, Head of Coffee, La Maison.This candid and inspiring session brought together some of the most experienced minds in specialty coffee to explore what truly moves the dial when scaling a high-quality coffee programme across multiple sites.Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear
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Dec 12, 2025 • 24min

The future of the UK coffee shop market – Panel discussion recorded live at COHO

Next in our series of unfiltered talks from the European Coffee Symposium + COHO stages, we turn our attention to the future of the UK coffee shop market with a panel of seasoned leaders in specialty coffee.We’re joined by Marta Pogroszewska, Non-Executive Director, Bread Holdings, Paul Kelly, Global Marketing Director, La Marzocco, and Caroline Ottoy, Managing Director, WatchHouse. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear
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Dec 12, 2025 • 19min

Growing a specialty coffee chain from Prague to the world – The Miners Live at the European Coffee Symposium

Next up in our European Coffee Symposium Live series, is a talk from Egor Kolpakov, Founder & CEO of The Miners – an unconventional specialty coffee chain from Prague that’s expanding at remarkable pace across Europe.In this session, Egor shares his vision to inject the energy of New York’s coffee scene into Eastern Europe, and discusses how The Miners’ fast-paced, movement-driven service model is designed for efficiency, connection and contemporary active lifestyle.Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear
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Dec 12, 2025 • 21min

Opportunities and challenges in the Indian market – Blue Tokai Live at the European Coffee Symposium

Last month saw the return of the European Coffee Symposium (ECS) + COHO in Berlin. Across three days, we welcomed 50 influential speakers from around the world to share their insights, inspiration, and bold ideas shaping the future of coffee and hospitality.Over the coming weeks, we’ll bring you a collection of these unfiltered conversations, panel discussions and keynote sessions – direct from the ECS + COHO stages. We start with a talk by Matt Chitharanjan, Co-founder & CEO of Blue Tokai – a coffee shop chain and specialty coffee roastery in India. In this session, Matt offers sharp insights into India’s rapidly-growing coffee market, highlighting the huge opportunities in an under-served coffee landscape, and the difficulties of balancing growth with profitability.Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear
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Nov 24, 2025 • 31min

Nurturing community and connection with Buunni Coffee

In today’s episode, we're joined by Sarina Prabasi, Co-founder of Buunni Coffee – a business of two community-driven cafés and a wholesale roastery based in New York City.Sarina has had a remarkable journey from her native Nepal via Ethiopia to New York City. She’s also had impressive career in social justice and sustainability, especially in her role as CEO of WaterAid USA.She founded Buunni Coffee in 2011 with her partner, Elias Gurmu, Their vision was to share exceptional Ethiopian coffee and hospitality with New Yorkers, while creating spaces that nurture connection, community and joy.In this conversation, Sarina reflects on the realities of starting a business, the immigrant experience, and what it means to build a meaningful community in a new city. We also unpack her memoir, The Coffeehouse Resistance: Brewing Hope in Desperate Times, highlighting how cafés can become places for connection with a deep sense of belonging.Credits music: "The Weight" by Eirra in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear
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Nov 17, 2025 • 38min

The dos and don’ts of signing a lease

In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the dos and don’ts of signing a retail property lease – from due diligence and heads of terms to rent reviews and exit strategies.We'll speak with a leading broker and two real estate lawyers in London and New York to uncover how operators can navigate the small print, negotiate a fair deal, and protect themselves from personal exposure.Our guests are Russel Helbling, Managing Director, Katz & Associates, Jason Dunietz, Real Estate Group Chair, Helbraun & Levey, Ian Leigh, Partner, CBG.Credits music: "Talk About A Movie" by Z.M.A in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear
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Oct 24, 2025 • 35min

The past, present and future of specialty coffee - a conversation with Yannis Apostolopoulos, SCA

In today’s episode we're delighted to be speaking with Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Specialty Coffee Association.First established in the 1980s, the SCA is the largest coffee trade body globally and represents thousands of coffee professionals – from producers to baristas – all over the world.In this conversation, Yannis discusses the evolution of the SCA and its ongoing efforts to make coffee more sustainable, equitable, and resilient, through research, standards, and education. He also shares his perspectives on the key challenges and opportunities in the industry, from climate change and sustainability to navigating economic uncertainty and the evolving role of technology and AI.Credits music: "I Wish You Love" by Mimi Rose in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear
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Oct 17, 2025 • 28min

Australia as a coffee origin – Part two

Today’s episode is the second instalment in our two-part feature exploring the opportunity for Australian-grown coffee.In part one, we looked back at the history, commercial viability, and sustainability potential of Australian coffee farming. In this episode, we’re turning our attention to what lies ahead and the developments that are shaping the next chapter for Australian coffee.We’ll hear from scientist Tobias Kretzschmar about new coffee varietals being developed with Southern Cross University, and David Kennedy, Founder of Bun Coffee about how Australia’s specialty scene is embracing home-grown coffee.Credits music: "Nothing is Forever" by Australian artist Georgia Mooney in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear
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Oct 10, 2025 • 25min

Australia as a coffee origin – Part one

Today’s episode is the first in a two-part feature exploring the opportunity and future potential for Australian-grown coffee.While coffee is typically cultivated in tropical, high-altitude regions, producers in Australia have been able to nurture coffee trees in the country’s subtropical lowlands – where the mild climate and absence of many common coffee diseases offer unique opportunitiesIn part one, we speak with Rebecca Zentveld, Founder of Zentveld’s Coffee Farm & Roastery in New South Wales. Rebecca also serves as President of the Australian Grown Coffee Association, and in this conversation she explores the history, commercial opportunities, and sustainability potential of Australian coffee farming.In part two, we’ll hear from Tobias Kretzschmar, a scientist at Southern Cross University, who’s developing new varietals suited to the Australian climate, and David Kennedy from Bun Coffee, to learn how the specialty scene might soon be embracing more home-grown coffee.Credits music: "War Romance" by Australian artist Georgia Mooney in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear
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Oct 7, 2025 • 35min

The latest advancements grinding technology

Grinding is one of the most important – yet often overlooked – elements of the coffee-making process. It’s a precise science that directly influences flavour and consistency, and often is the difference between an unforgettable coffee and a mediocre cup.As consumer tastes and expectations evolve, grinding equipment too is advancing. So what does the future look like for grinding technology – both behind the bar and in the home?To explore this we’re speaking with Arnaldo Rodrigues, Head of Innovation and Technology, Hemro Group, Marco Tesconi, Group Category Manager, Cimbali Group and Douglas Weber, Founder, Weber Workshop.Credits music: "I’m Fine" by Bobbi Stella in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

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