5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality

In today’s episode, we're speaking with James Sweeting, Co-founder of Lincoln & York – a highly respected private label coffee roaster based in the North of England.James founded Lincoln & York with business partner Simon Herring in 1994 and over the past 30 years, the company has grown into one of the UK’s largest independent coffee roasters. With decades of experience under his belt, James brings a sharp business mind and a deep understanding of what it takes to scale and sustain a successful company over time.In this conversation, James shares why investing ahead of the curve and continually re-investing back into the business has been key to Lincoln & York’s success. He also unpacks the complexities and challenges across the coffee supply chain and the impact of price volatility on the market.Credits music: "Prisoner" by KAIMA 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

This year’s London Coffee Festival is right around the corner and with it comes four days of caffeine-fuelled celebration in this city’s ever-evolving coffee scene.Founded in 2011, The London Coffee Festival is a major event in global industry’s calendar, drawing thousands of coffee professionals, enthusiasts, and innovators from around the world to connect, collaborate, and share their passion for all things coffee.And so in this episode, we’re catching up with some familiar faces from the festival community to hear their standout impressions of the show, how to get the most out of a trade show, and what they’ve got planned for this year’s event.We'll speak with Agnes Potter, Managing Director, Allpress UK, Stewart Johnson, Sales Director, Sanremo UK, Chris Farnworth, Founder, Blendsmiths, Frances Booth, Marketing Director, Biscoff UK, Harry George, Founder, Send Coffee, and Lee Hyde, Senior Beverage Expert at Monin.Credits music: "London’s on Fire" by Daisy Chute in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB CollectiveSign 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

In today’s episode we’re bringing you the first in a series of interviews and discussions recorded live at the Amsterdam Coffee Festival 2025.Celebrating its 10th year, the festival was buzzing with energy, ideas, and innovation, as industry leaders and entrepreneurs from all across Europe came together for an inspiring celebration of coffee.In this 5THWAVE live session, we’re diving into the world of alternative beverages and exploring how cafés are expanding their menus to stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive market.We’re joined by four pioneers shaping this space: Merijn Gijsbers, Champion and Brand Ambassador for Alpro, Dennis Durlinger, Brand Manager, Monin, Ahmed Mahla, Head Roaster, Spicekix Coffee Lab, and Vicky Ceulemans, Founder, Bodhi Drinks. Credits music: "You Would Not Get It" by Frances Willow in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB CollectiveSign 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

In today’s episode we’re speaking with Eve Wagg, Founder and CEO of Well Grounded – a UK-based social enterprise supporting unemployed individuals to gain access to meaningful careers in coffee.Since its inception in 2016, Well Grounded has trained over 1,000 people and delivered more than 15,000 hours of work placements in partnership with leading brands like GAIL’s, WatchHouse, and the Company of Cooks.In this conversation, Eve reflects on the power of social procurement and how businesses can create lasting change through partnerships. She also shares the positive impact of community-led training programmes, and discusses the importance of leadership development and diverse representation across the industry.This week's credits track in association with The Coffee Music Project is a track by Jayden Mariano aka MAOUS – a Well Grounded graduate –  with his track "Well Grounded"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

Specialty coffee in France is experiencing a remarkable transformation, driven by a desire for quality and unique flavors. The shift from traditional espresso to artisanal brews reflects changing consumer preferences, especially post-pandemic, with a rise in sustainable sourcing and home brewing. Key industry pioneers share their stories, highlighting the evolving landscape and the cultural significance of coffee. The discussion reveals both challenges and exciting opportunities for new entrepreneurs in this vibrant market.

In today’s episode, we continue our series on the rise of specialty coffee in France and speak with Tom Clark, Co-founder and CEO of Coutume. Originally from Australia, Tom was among the early pioneers of Paris’ specialty coffee movement. While studying in the city, he spotted a clear gap in the market to bring high-quality coffee to French consumers and set up Coutume in 2011. Today, the business operates a thriving roastery and runs 11 locations across the city a growing corporate venue business. In this conversation, Tom reflects on how consumer attitudes have shifted dramatically over the past decade, including a growing willingness to pay for higher quality. He also shares why he believes France is on track to become one of the top five specialty coffee markets in the world.  Credits music: "You" by Kirsten Izer in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB CollectiveSign 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

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the Amsterdam Coffee Festival – a celebration of the edgy Dutch coffee scene and its passionate coffee community.This year, we’re thrilled to bring 5THWAVE Live to the Festival, where we’ll be showcasing two days of dynamic discussions with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and coffee innovators. And to whet your appetite, in this episode we’re speaking with Yorick Bruins, Founder of Wakuli – an ambitious new Dutch specialty coffee roaster and operator. Yorick launched Wakuli in 2019 with a vision to connect coffee farmers directly with consumers and create a fairer, more transparent trading model. Since then, Wakuli has grown rapidly, opening its first outlet in 2022 and now operates 15 locations across the Netherlands.In this conversation, Yorick discusses the evolution of the Dutch specialty coffee scene and how it has grown in the last five years. He also shares the importance of mission-led growth and how Wakuli is embracing regenerative farming to create lasting impact.Join 5THWAVE Live at the Amsterdam Coffee Festival: www.amsterdamcoffeefestival.com/Whats-On/5THWAVE-PODCAST Credits music: "Heather" by AYNGI in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB CollectiveSign 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

In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Fleur Studd, co-founder of Australia's Market Lane and Melbourne Coffee Merchants.Established in Melbourne in 2009, Market Lane is a highly-respected specialty roaster and retailer with ten outlets across the city. Since its inception, the company has placed a strong emphasis on responsible business practices, and in 2022 achieved B-Corp certification with an impressive score of 96.8. Fleur is also the founder and director of green coffee importers – Melbourne Coffee Merchants. In this conversation, Fleur shares how she maintains a values-based approach as her business grows, the importance of building a strong, purpose-driven team and how the influence of mentors has shaped her leadership style.Credits music: "XO" by Millie Bushell in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB CollectiveSign 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

In today’s episode, we continue our series on the rise of specialty coffee in France and speak with Mihaela Iordache, Head Roaster at Paris’ iconic Belleville Brûlerie.Founded in 2013, Belleville is a pioneering specialty roaster, known for its high-quality coffees and the staff’s signature Bleu de Travail outfit – the classic French blue workwear jacket that’s become a symbol of their craft.In this conversation, Mihaela shares how France's coffee community and consumer habits have evolved in recent years, and why it took a little longer for specialty coffee to make its mark in a country famed for its traditional café culture.Credits music: "Sonata K239" by Domenico Scarlatti played by Ana Maria Iordache, in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB CollectiveSign 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

Matcha has seen significant growth in coffee shops in recent years. With its striking green colour, promoted health benefits, and aspirational lifestyle appeal, this Japanese-origin tea has firmly captured the attention of Western consumers.In this episode we're asking what’s driving this surge in popularity, what’s next for the category, and will there be enough matcha to go around as demand starts to outstrip supply? To find out, we'll speak with two specialist matcha operators - Zach Mangan, Founder of Kettl in New York and Hiromi Matsunobu, Founder of Matchado in London.Credits music: Colourblind by Jennifer Lyons in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB CollectiveSign 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