Brought to you by The London Coffee Festival this is "Let it Brew," an exciting new podcast series dedicated to coffee enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. Each episode will feature expert guests covering the theme of "Building the Dream Coffee Shop."
Host Alex Dantes-Smith sits down with Rob Ward (Slayer) and Freda Yuan (Origin Coffee) to dream up their ultimate coffee shop concepts and let's just say, we'd visit both. Think:
In this episode of the Let It Brew podcast, host Alex Dantes-Smith welcomes Ashley Palmer-Watts—former Executive Chef at The Fat Duck and Dinner by Heston, and Co-Founder of Artisan Coffee Co. and The Devonshire, Soho @devonshiresoho—along with Bryan Serwatka, Coffee Community Manager at @minorfigures. They explore their ultimate dream coffee shop concepts, each bringing a unique vision to the table. Bryan's Dream Café – Quivering Lips. Think Rolling Stones meets Flaming Lips artwork, built on a foundation of community and inclusivity. Ashley's Coffee House - a dynamic hub for art and music, featuring Tipsy Donuts filled with rich caramel, inspired by Heston's legendary Tipsy Cake. Special thanks to Bloomsyard for hosting this episode! You won't want to miss it! Episode 10 is out now! #LetItBrew #CoffeeCulture #Podcast #SpecialtyCoffee
In this episode of Let It Brew, host Alex Dantes-Smith sits down with Ollie Simon, GM of Brand and Marketing at Allpress Espresso UK, and Bugra Marasali, Founder of Lodestar Coffee—to explore their ultimate dream coffee shop concepts. From flat whites to macchiatos, Ollie shares his espresso journey, while Bugra keeps it unapologetically pure: "You don't go to a kebab shop and order a pizza"—so why serve anything but great coffee? Expect deep insights, bold opinions, and plenty of caffeine-fueled conversation. Episode 9 is out now! Special thanks to Origin Coffee for hosting this episode. #LetItBrew #CoffeeCulture #Podcast #SpecialtyCoffee
Why settle for the ordinary when you can sip your latte surrounded by cuddly chaos? In this episode of Let It Brew, Alex Dantes-Smith chats with Kurt Stewart, Master Roaster and Founder of Volcano Coffee Works, and Roosa Jalonen, Coffee Specialist, Arabica Q Grader, and the newly crowned UK Barista Champion 2024. Together, they dive into their ultimate dream coffee shop concepts. Roosa's vision? A café that doubles as a petting zoo. Picture this: a sanctuary where frothy cappuccinos meet fluffy companions—puppies, kittens, baby goats, and ducklings proving that the best conversations happen in spaces filled with warmth (and wagging tails). Episode 8 of the Let It Brew Podcast is OUT NOW! Special thanks to Volcano Works for hosting us for this recording.
Alex Dantes-Smith sits down with Bharti Radix, Founder of Bloomsyard and Camilla Morgan, Head of Business Development and Customer Relationships at Eversys UK Ltd to discuss their dream coffee shops. Zipwire from Cam's mountain top coffee retreat to Bharti's dream beach cafe. Enjoy the journey on this one! Special thanks to Bloomsyard for hosting us for this recording.
Alex Dantes-Smith sits down with Will Corby from Pact Coffee and Josh Tarlo from Headstand to discuss their dream coffee shops. Leave your worries at the door, grab a hammock, and step through a magic portal to your coffee haven zen —just don't ask for an Americano or Builder's Tea! You won't want to miss this one. Enjoy! Special thanks to Ozone for hosting us for this recording.
Alex Dantes-Smith chats with Alexandra Dalton of Rascal Coffee and Emily Roach from Ozone Coffee about their dream coffee shops. Alex's New Orleans coffee shop, Apapachar (translated as hugs in Spanish), blends dive bar vibes in New Orleans and a no-laptops policy—unless you don't mind being tucked away in a dark corner! Meanwhile, Emily's vision features a Scandinavian-inspired haven with a pet dog, toasted banana bread, and Emo 2000's playlists – ‘fringes only!' Special thanks to Ozone Coffee for hosting this recording.
Alex Dantes-Smith sits down with Paul Ross from Special Guests Coffee and Maxwell Dashwood from Colonna Coffee to discuss their dream coffee shops. A gym/coffee shop? In the New Forest? With a ring of ponies? And an owner that asks you to leave if you don't order a clean coffee? Yeah, buddy! You won't want to miss this one. Enjoy! Special thanks to Origin Coffee for hosting us for this recording.
In this lively episode of The Let it Brew Podcast, our host Alex Dantes-Smith sits down with two coffee industry experts— The Hagen Project's Head of Coffee, Steve Nulty and Brad Morrison, owner of Dark Arts to explore the ultimate question: What would your dream coffee shop look like? We dive deep into the creativity of both of their dream coffee shops. From the quirky names (think coffee pub, anyone?) to the perfect location. Want to know which roasters they'd feature, or the eccentric trait that would make their shop unforgettable? Special thanks to Daze Coffee Shop - pop-up lovechild of @batchbabycoffee and @paradox_design_coffee.
In this episode, Alex Dantes-Smith chats with Paul Kelly from La Marzocco about Building his Dream Coffee shop. They cover everything from the perfect location and unique food items to coffee equipment and Paul's favourite music. Special thanks to Daze Coffee Shop - pop-up lovechild of @batchbabycoffee and @paradox_design_coffee. Find them at 207, 1 Westgate St, London, United Kingdom E83RL.
In the inaugural episode, host Alex Dantes-Smith, Head of European Retail at Fellow, delves into the theme of "Building the Dream Coffee Shop." Joining Alex in this engaging and insightful conversation are: Andrea Ventrice, National Account Manager at Califia Farm; Caroline Schray, Senior Regional Manager at Fellow; Dan Fellows, UK Brand Ambassador at Slayer Espresso. From choosing the right equipment to creating a memorable customer experience, the panel share their invaluable insights and experiences.