5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality

In today’s episode we're speaking with Benjamin Paz – a third-generation coffee producer in Honduras and a leading voice in sustainable coffee farming.

In this conversation, Benjamin shares pragmatic solutions for sustainable coffee production, such as reforesting with native tree species, restoring natural shade canopies and adapting processing methods that save water and work in harmony with local ecosystems.

We also discuss the critical issue of labour shortages and systemic challenges in Honduras, and the strategies needed to ensure a thriving coffee industry for generations to come.

Credits music: "Carolina Gold...

In today’s episode we’re speaking with Maria Pavani, CEO and Founder of Tres Marias – an innovative specialty coffee business based in Dubai.

Originally from Brazil, Maria launched Tres Marias in 2019, initially trading green coffee and delivering SCA training courses. When the pandemic hit, she pivoted into coffee roasting and more recently, expanded the brand with a line of plant-based milks designed specifically for baristas.

In this conversation, Maria shares the remarkable transformation of Dubai’s coffee scene over the last decade and how UAE consumers have embraced specialt...

In today’s episode, we're speaking with Jason Scherr, Founder and CEO of Think Coffee - a pioneering specialty coffee business based in New York City.

Jason began his career in law before pivoting into hospitality, driven by a desire to build something more creative and community-focused. That vision led to the opening of Think Coffee in 2006 - a coffee business focussed on ethical sourcing and social impact. Nearly two decades on, Think Coffee operates 11 locations across New York and has been roasting in-house since 2017.

In this conversation, Jason re...

Today we’re sharing the final episode in our series of interviews recorded at The Amsterdam Coffee Festival 2025.

In this episode, we speak with industry leaders and entrepreneurs from across the Benelux to find out how they turned a passion for coffee into a thriving business and career.

We’re joined by Jens Crabbe, Owner of MOK Coffee, Joris Goossens, Commercial Director at Keen Coffee and Véronique Heylen, Senior Sales Trader at Sucafina.

Credits music: ""Finance 300" by Kri in association with The Coffee Music Project and S...

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’re turning the spotlight on coffee competitions, exploring how they drive innovation, elevate barista skills, and help shape the future of our industry.

Joining us is a panel of barista champions, trainers and world class judges: Julia Kuin, Barista Market Development Lead for Benelux at Oatly, Rose van Asten, Coffee Consultant & Specialty Coffee Association Barista Trainer, Lex Wenneker, Owner of Friedhats Coffee, and Zjevaun Jang...

In today’s episode, we're speaking with Andreas Hertzberg, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Nordic Approach – a pioneering green specialty coffee company.

Andreas founded Nordic Approach in 2011 alongside Morten Wennersgaard and Tim Wendelboe, with a vision to work more closely with producers and deliver coffees that reflect the high standards synonymous with the Nordic region.

Today, Nordic Approach sources around two and a half million kilos of green coffee each year, working with thousands of farmers across 12 producing countries.

In this conversation, Andreas reflects on the early days of the business, how the team intr...

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 explore the rise of smart coffee vending and how innovation and technology is shaping coffee solutions for the workplace and beyond.

We’ll hear from Willem Huisman, Sales Director at BRITA Professional  Benelux, Theo Leene, Managing Director of Powder Products Benelux, Tjerry Sanders, Country Leader Netherlands at Evoca Group, and Joost Leopold, Headmaster and Coffee Consultant at De Koffieschool.

Credi...

In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Paul Geshos, founder of Sydney’s iconic Mecca Coffee.

A former musician turned café owner, Paul Geshos opened Mecca in 2005 after being inspired by the emerging specialty coffee scene in Portland, Oregon. Since then, Mecca has grown to become one of Australia’s most respected specialty coffee roasters, with two locations in Sydney and a reputation for transparent sourcing, quality and innovation.

In this conversation, Paul reflects on Mecca’s early years, including the challenge of introducing US-style specialty coffee culture to Australian customers who weren’t...

Next up in our series live podcasts recorded at the Amsterdam Coffee Festival, we’re diving into the creative world of coffee marketing.

In this session, we speak with leading coffee brands from across the Benelux to unpack the innovative marketing strategies helping businesses connect with the next generation of consumers.

Joining us are an expert panel of voices from across the region: Rob Berghmans, Founder and Owner of Caffenation, Bryan Serwatka, Coffee Community Manager at Minor Figures, and Yorick Bruins, Co-founder of Wakuli.

Credits music: "At...

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 R...

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: "S...

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: "Na...

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 sh...

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...

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 invest...

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, ho...

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.

W...

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 commu...

With Le Paris Café Festival 2025 happening this week, today we’re concluding our series on the rise of specialty coffee in France.

Over the past four episodes, we’ve heard some incredible stories from industry pioneers and trailblazers across the French specialty coffee scene. In today’s closing episode, we take a step back to reflect on how far the market has come, unpack what’s driving growth today, and explore the trends shaping the future. 

We’ll hear from some of the key industry actors helping to shape this excitin...

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...

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 wi...

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 stron...

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 special...

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.

Cr...

In today’s episode we continue our series on the rise of specialty coffee in France and speak with Hippolyte Courty, Founder of L' Arbre à Café.

Established in 2009, L’Arbre à Café is a Paris-based specialty coffee roaster and operator, and a pioneering force in the French specialty coffee scene. With a background in wine and fine gastronomy, Hippolyte has helped to redefine French coffee culture, bringing a next level of craftsmanship and sustainability to the industry.

Catch up on part one here.

Credits music: Trip the Light by BlueB...

In today’s episode, we’re launching a new deep-dive series in collaboration with 5THWAVE magazine exploring the rise of specialty coffee in France.

Once known for its traditional dark espressos and modest coffee standards, France is undergoing a transformation. All across the country, interest in specialty coffee is exploding, with a growing number of consumers seeking quality and a new wave of artisan roasters emerging to meet demand.

Over the coming months, we’ll speak with industry leaders shaping this movement to examine its evolution, current challenges and future opportunities.

We begin...

In today’s episode, we speak with Tom Molnar, Co-founder and CEO of GAIL’s Artisan Bakery – a highly influential UK-based bakery and coffee chain.

Tom partnered with the eponymous Gail in London in the early 2000s, transforming her wholesale bakery business for chefs into a thriving neighbourhood chain. Today, GAIL’s is a much-loved UK bakery-cafe group with over 150 bakeries nationwide.

In this insightful conversation, Tom shares the parallels between coffee and bread-making and how coffee became a natural extension of the business. He also reflects on the importance of maintaining an artisan mindset, building...

As consumer interest in specialty coffee continues to rise, so too does demand beyond the café. Today’s customers expect high-quality coffee to be available wherever they are – whether commuting, travelling or shopping.

In this episode, we explore the businesses redefining coffee service outside the traditional bricks-and-mortar model. From mobile coffee trucks to travel kiosks and small-format retail spaces, these operators are creating compact, high-impact coffee experiences, meeting consumer demand for specialty coffee wherever they are.

We’ll hear from Ant Duckworth, CEO & Founder, Dear Coco, Patrick Byrnes, Head of Operations, FCB Coffee...

In this episode, we're joined by Nicolas O’Connell – an influential coffee and business expert and a former Partner at La Colombe Coffee Roasters.

Nicolas joined La Colombe in the mid-1990s as a barista and quickly rose through the ranks, playing a key role in launching the brand’s pioneering wholesale programme. Though he’s often worked behind the scenes, Nicolas' business acumen and strategic vision were instrumental in transforming La Colombe into the international powerhouse it became.

In this candid conversation, Nicolas shares his insights on how La Colombe m...

In today’s episode we speak with Mark Sciberras, Director of The Common E2 and Common Ground Workshop – an East London café and architecture studio specialising in hospitality and residential design.

Originally from Melbourne, Mark trained as an architect before moving to London in the mid-2000s. Inspired by the city’s emerging specialty coffee scene, he opened The Common E2 in 2014, creating a space that reflects his design philosophy and passion for community.

In this conversation, we explore the synergies between coffee and architecture and how great design can shape the way w...

In our final live session from the event, we’re joined by Konstantinos Konstantinopoulos, CEO of Coffee Island, and Alex Pantziaros, founder of Coffeeco Upcycle, to explore their mission of transforming coffee waste into high-value products.

Coffee Island is Greece’s largest coffee chain, with over 450 outlets in Greece and an additional 50 across nine international markets.

Coffeeco Upcycle set up in 2018 with a vision to unlock new opportunities for sustainability in coffee.

In this conversation, Konstantinos and Alex discuss the innovative process of turning coff...

In today’s episode we’re speaking with a very special guest – Paul Ross, founder of Special Guests Coffee, a boundary-pushing specialty coffee business based in the heart of London. 

A two-time UK Barista Champion, Paul founded Special Guests in 2022 with a mission to curate rare specialty coffees from around the world and showcase these hidden gems to wider audiences through his coffee venue and online platform.

In this conversation, Paul explains how physical coffee shops play a vital role in fostering community and building a cohesive ecosystem for his business...

In today's episode we’re finding out how specialty roasters and distributors are navigating the ever-changing landscape of e-commerce coffee. 

In an era where the competition is now global, how do brands stand out from the crowd? How can businesses engage with consumers and build loyal audiences online? And what lies ahead for the burgeoning new coffee discovery segment?

We'll speak with Menno Simons, Founder, Bocca Coffee, Suneal Pabari, Co-founder, The Roasters Pack and Alice Wainwright, Co-founder, Rise Coffee Box.

Get 15% off your first three boxes at Rise Coffee Box...

In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Stuart Forsyth, CEO & Co-founder of distinctive and influential oat milk brand, Minor Figures.

Stuart set up Minor Figures in London back in 2015 with a vision to create an accessible alternative milk brand that complements the taste of coffee and champions our industry. Today, Minor Figures is a leading player in the global oat milk category operating across Europe, Australia, the US and Japan.

In this conversation, Stuart shares the philosophy behind Minor Figures and how he built a business centred on self-discovery through organi...

For the second revisit episode of our Holiday break, we’re returning to one of the most inspiring conversations of last year, with Cemal Ezel, Founder of the social enterprise Change Please and Old Spike Roastery.

Cemal’s insight into balancing social impact with commercial success is thought-provoking and powerful. In this extended interview, he shares how Change Please uses a unique business model to tackle homelessness – one cup of coffee at a time.

Cemal also talks about his recent collaboration with Nespresso and reveals exciting plans for global expans...

As we take a short break over Christmas and New Year, we’re re-sharing some of our favourite conversations from the past 12 months.

First up, we’re revisiting an inspiring conversation with Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte, Founders of Maman – the French-inspired boutique café and bakery chain that began in New York and has since expanded across the US and into Canada.

Since its launch in 2014, Maman has experienced phenomenal growth, now boasting nearly 40 locations across New York, Washington, Florida, and Toronto.

In this convers...

In today's episode we're continuing our tradition of sharing an alternative Christmas playlist to soundtrack your celebrations over the Christmas period!

We love to close each episode with music from up-and-coming artists, in association with The Coffee Music Project. So, today, we’re bringing you a special bonus episode filled with some of the best tracks we’ve featured this year.

So grab a glass of mulled wine, settle into your cosiest spot, and enjoy this hand-picked collection of incredible music. A huge thank you to all the talented artists who’ve shared their music with u...

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, Co-founder, Communal Coffee, Andy Wells, Founder, Press Coffee & Co., and Leonardo Azeredo, Founder Co-Roasting Community. 

Credits music: Christmas Time by Erin Bowman in association with The Coffee Music Projec...

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 capital to fuel Grind’s impressive growth. He also explores how the transition to a multi-channel business model has been instrumental in shaping the brand’s ongoing success.

Credits music: What on Earth by HOLNE in...

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 Barbarisi, International Key Accounts Manager at BWT water+more, about the latest innovations in water purification technologies and their role in shaping sustainable and more flavourful coffee .

Credits music: Consent by Rosie Smi...