5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality

Today we’re sharing another episode from our series of interviews and discussions recorded live at the Amsterdam Coffee Festival earlier this year.In this session we reflect on a decade of growth across the Benelux specialty coffee scene and look ahead to what the future holds for this highly passionate community.We’re joined by a panel of innovators and creators: Esther Maasdam, Co-founder of Manhattan Coffee Roasters, Rose Van Asten, Coffee Consultant and SCA Barista Trainer, and Marc Kluijver, Founder of KTC Magazine.Credits music: "Could This Be Real" by Aleks In Flux 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

In today’s episode we’re returning to our series of interviews and discussions recorded live at the Amsterdam Coffee Festival earlier this year.In this session, we take a look back at the past decade of phenomenal espresso machine innovation to find out how technology and culture has redefined the café experience.We’re joined by an expert panel: Andrea Zamprogno, Sanremo Johan Van De Bunt, Hillewaert, Anton Mathes, Ligre and Henk Langkemper of Espresso Service West, La Marzocco’s distributor in the Netherlands.Credits music: "Sad Old Baby Dolls" by The Misty 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

In today’s episode, we’re joined by pioneers in sustainable hospitality to explore how restaurants can take meaningful steps towards more environmentally responsible operations.We speak with Juliane Caillouette-Noble, Managing Director of the Sustainable Restaurant Association, who outlines a practical framework for introducing sustainability into foodservice businesses.We’re also joined by two leading Michelin Green Star chefs – Chantelle Nicholson, Founder, Apricity in London and Albert Franch Sunyer, Co-founder, Nolla in Helsinki – who share what it really takes to run a sustainable restaurant, from sourcing and circularity to culture and community.Credits music: "Natures Hands" by Flo Perlin 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

In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Stephan Bredell, Co-Founder of Platō Coffee – a fast-growing specialty coffee chain based in South Africa.Launched in December 2019 with his brother Petrus, Platō Coffee began as a single café with a mission to serve high-quality coffee in welcoming, beautifully designed spaces. With a focus on opening sites in local, lifestyle destinations and growing through franchise partnerships, the brand has scaled rapidly in just five years. Platō now has 90 locations across South Africa and international expansion on the horizon.In this conversation, Stephan shares his ambitions for scaling Platō into a global lifestyle brand. He also outlines how coffee has been a powerful accelerator for growth, guided by his pragmatic learn-by-doing approach.Credits music: "Lucid Dreaming" by Veigh Malow 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

In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Dion Cohen, Co-founder of Single O – an iconic name in Australian specialty coffee.Originally known as Single Origin Coffee Roasters, Dion founded the business in 2003 alongside his wife and business partner, Emma Cohen. Their vision was to bring greater transparency to the coffee supply chain while building a brand that was fun, engaging, and unafraid to break the mould.Since then, Single O has become a pioneer of Australia’s specialty coffee scene and operates cafés in Sydney and Queensland and has a growing presence in Japan.In this conversation, Dion shares the philosophy behind Single O – one grounded in quality, traceability, and education rather than self-promotion. He also talks about expanding into Japan, and how the brand adapted its bold, irreverent  Australian style to resonate with Japan’s more reserved and traditional culture.Credits music: "What I Used To Do" by Liza Lo 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

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.