5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality

In today’s episode, we’re bringing you some highlights from the live conversations recorded at The Amsterdam Coffee Festival earlier this year – exploring the innovation and consumer trends shaping the European coffee market and beyond.

First up we unpack how Gen Z and younger consumers are reshaping expectations and driving demand for wellness, authenticity and in-store experience. With Ilya Aksamentov, The Miners, Bryan Serwatka, Minor Figures, and Kendra Kroon & Amijé van der Laan, SHOT Lifestyle & Coffee.

Next, we take a look at the latest beverage innovations redefining cafe experience and explore how non-coffee drinks like matcha, chai and functional ingredients are becoming major growth drivers. With Isabella Miglinci, AIYA Europe, Lucia Parlanti, Tea Stories, Tristan Meulenbelt, Oatly, and Salma Tabiat, Nomadschai.

We'll also be exploring bakery trends to find out how cafes are evolving into all day hospitality concepts and why quality food is becoming as important as great coffee. With Nils Klinkspoor of Corri Bakery, Marion Waterkeyn, Gerard Bakery, and Mitchel Charles, Farine.

To close the episode, we take a look at the role of community in modern coffee brands, and why loyalty is driven by belonging, not just product quality. With Veronique Lagarde, DAK Coffee Roasters, Murray Robertson, Amsterdam Coffee Run, and coffee influencer, Sam Lasaroms, koffietje.nl
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In today’s episode, we speak with Afshin Roshanian, co-founder of Romania’s Slow Coffee Festival.

Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Slow Coffee Festival has become one of Eastern Europe’s flagship specialty coffee events, bringing together the people behind the region’s thriving coffee community. 
In this conversation, we explore the extraordinary rise of Romania as Europe’s fastest-growing coffee market. We also discuss how Slow Coffee Festival has evolved from a consumer-focused event into an international business platform, and the role that community plays in driving the industry’s growth.

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Today we’re diving into the exciting world of tea innovation with Emilie Holmes, Founder of Good & Proper Tea.

Historically a challenging category for coffee operators, tea has seen a real surge in recent years, largely driven by the meteoric rise of matcha and growing consumer demand for wellness and iced formats.

In this conversation, we explore the latest trends in tea innovation, from cold brews and concentrates to premium teas like hojicha, maojian and sencha. Emilie also shares why tea should be treated with the same care and storytelling as specialty coffee, and why long-term success depends on transparency and support for producers.

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In today’s episode, we catch up with Jack Simpson of Axil Coffee Roasters in Melbourne and the reigning World Barista Champion.

After taking the Australian Barista Championship title three years in a row, Jack claimed the world crown in Milan in November, 2025.
In this conversation, Jack reflects on the experience of winning on the biggest coffee stage in the world, the pressure and opportunities that followed, and what comes next. We also discuss sustainability in coffee, and why, for Jack, it’s ultimately about relationships, respect and long-term support for coffee producers, to ensure fairness and economic viability across the supply chain.

Credits music: "Nothing is Forever" by Georgia Mooney in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show
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Today, we’re bringing you two standout conversations recorded live on the 5THWAVE stage at The Amsterdam Coffee Festival 2026.
First up, we're joined by Menno Simons, Founder of Bocca Coffee and a pioneer of the Dutch specialty coffee scene. In this thought-provoking conversation, Menno reflects on 25 years of Bocca, the evolution and longevity of specialty coffee, and why even the most established brands must continue to adapt and innovate.

We then speak with Paul Sharo, Founder of Man Met Bril Koffie – the Rotterdam-based coffee hotel and roastery. In this conversation we discuss how career pathways in coffee are always evolving, and why the industry can be a platform for entrepreneurship as much as employment.

Credits music: "Here's To" by Pien in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show
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Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear