Advertise on podcast: London Coffee Podcast

Nikol Novotná, Head Roaster at WatchHouse, shares her remarkable journey from Bratislava to London, from accidentally becoming a barista to working in the roastery and becoming a Q Grader.We talk about curiosity, persistence, tasting, roasting, women in coffee, learning from mistakes (and fires!), and why great coffee needs more than science, it needs care, intuition and a human touch.

In this episode of the London Coffee Podcast, we go behind the scenes of the global coffee trade with Hannah Wakefield and Jamie Treby of DRWakefield. We explore how coffee moves from producer to roaster, the realities of sustainability and direct trade, the impact of climate change, geopolitics and market volatility, and what the future might look like for Arabica, Robusta and specialty coffee. A wide-ranging conversation about the people, systems and ideas shaping coffee today.

In this episode of the London Coffee Podcast, we chat with Tommy Ringlöw, Head Barista at Camden Coffee Roastery, about his journey from Sweden and studying music in London to finding his way into coffee. We talk about the rise of iced coffee and matcha, pre-batched espresso, the art and technique behind latte art, brewing great coffee at home, and the tools that help baristas keep up during a busy service. Tommy also shares his thoughts on staying curious, developing as a barista, building coffee communities, and his slightly unexpected obsession with giraffes.

Daria Bila’s journey to becoming the 2026 UK Barista Champion is about much more than competition. In this episode, she talks about moving from Ukraine to Dublin and then to London, discovering specialty coffee from scratch, and finding a sense of comfort and community in coffee while building a new life. She shares how that journey led her to Formative Coffee, management, and ultimately the UK Barista Championship - which she won on her first attempt. We also look ahead to her preparations for the World Barista Championship in Panama, her connection to Ukraine’s coffee community, and what might come next

In this episode of the London Coffee Podcast, we welcome Xiao Ye and Louis, the founders of Simmos Coffee in Hackney Wick — one of London’s most loved independent coffee shops. We talk about following gut instinct, finding your place in London’s coffee scene, building a genuine community, creating a sustainable workplace, and why they’re more interested in making one great coffee shop than opening ten. We also dive into their approach to coffee, seasonal drinks, Asian influences, music, creativity, and what it really takes to build a small business from the ground up.A conversation about coffee, creativity, people — and the dream of building something that can last. Create a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene.

Claire Wallace, Head of Coffee Quality at Assembly Coffee and the 2026 UK Barista and in Coffee Good Spirits Champion, joins the London Coffee Podcast to share her journey from studying law to becoming one of the UK's leading coffee professionals. We discuss coffee sourcing, quality control, the challenges of today's coffee market, what it takes to win national championships, and why London remains a global hub for specialty coffee. Create a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene.

Izzy Austen joins the London Coffee Podcast to discuss the realities of staffing in specialty coffee, why training the next generation of baristas matters, and how Baristas on Tap is creating flexibility, opportunity, and stronger coffee communities. Credits music: Small Talk by London artist Hope Winter in association with The Coffee Music ProjectCreate a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene.

In this episode of the London Coffee Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Whitworth-Smith, founder of The Cupping Directives and Waypoint. Andrew shares his journey from barista to coffee community builder, the story behind creating a central hub for coffee events, and his mission to make coffee education more accessible. We explore sensory experiences, co-fermentation, sustainability, and the future of specialty coffee. Credits music: Small Talk by London artist Hope Winter in association with The Coffee Music ProjectCreate a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene.

Jamie Strachan, Head Roaster at Caravan Coffee Roasters, joins the London Coffee Podcast to talk about his journey into coffee, the power of community, responsible sourcing, regenerative agriculture, and what it takes to create meaningful impact across the coffee chain. Credits music: Alive by Greta Lovisa in association with The Coffee Music ProjectCreate a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene.

In this episode of the London Coffee Podcast, we're talking with Jayne Cromwell, co-founder of Carnival Coffee Roaster.Jayne shares the extraordinary story of how her partner Juan's grandfather won a coffee farm in Colombia in a poker game. We're going to explore Carnival’s remarkable journey from a garden shed roastery during lockdown to one of South London's most community-focused coffee businesses, discuss building a coffee business through COVID, creating meaningful community spaces, balancing the needs of traditional coffee drinkers and curious coffee explorers, and why experiential coffee culture could play a vital role in the future of the high street. Credits music: I could Just Come Round by Darcey Hope in association with The Coffee Music ProjectCreate a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene.

For our 20th episode of the London Coffee Podcast, we’re delighted to welcome David Rickenback — Coffee Beverage Community Expert, competition judge, and coach. With an extensive career across the coffee industry, David might just have one of the best jobs in coffee. In this episode, we talk about building a destination coffee shop in London, navigating a career in coffee, and the importance of intention, community, and growth along the way.At the heart of it all is David’s philosophy: “leave beautiful footsteps everywhere you go.” A thoughtful and inspiring conversation for anyone in the coffee world. Credits music: Glastonbury by London Artist Jo Hill in association with The Coffee Music ProjectCreate a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene.

In this episode, we chat with Siala Farani-Tomlin about her journey in coffee — from front of house to Head of Coffee. We explore the importance of origin trips and how coffee continues to shape the lives of people around the world. Credits music: Simple One by London Artists Elle Delanee and Hogarth Hannam in association with The Coffee Music ProjectCreate a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene.

Today we’re talking all things flat white with, of course, Flat White Frank. We discuss his amazing story of finding a niche and growing a social media following around coffee. Along the way, we get into the details of what actually makes a great flat white and, naturally, attempt to answer the big question: where can you find the best flatty in London… and maybe even the world? Credits music: "One Love" by Florence Noon in association with The Coffee Music ProjectCreate a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene.

In this episode, we chat with Matthew Orchard and Jamie Rose from Plot Roasting, about their journey into coffee and the story behind building their roastery. They share insights into their education courses, the challenges of running a coffee business today, and their perspective on how London’s coffee scene is set to evolve. Credits music: "Home With A View" by  London artist HOLNE in association with The Coffee Music ProjectCreate a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene.

Today’s episode takes us inside the story of Moonstruck Café with its founder, Liam Clifford. In just two years, Moonstruck has become one of London’s most respected coffee spots, earning its place among the top venues in the London Coffee Guide. We dive into Liam’s journey from passionate coffee enthusiast to business owner, exploring how he’s stayed true to his purist vision while building a name in a competitive scene. Along the way, we talk collaboration with fellow coffee geeks, the philosophy behind his approach — and, of course, get into the details of turbo shots. Credits music: "Rings of Saturn" by Matt Kent in association with The Coffee Music ProjectCreate a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene.