KENT COFFEE FESTIVAL 2021 | WE DID IT!

Kent Coffee Festival 2021

The weekend of the 27th to 29th August saw us put on the very first Kent Coffee Festival. Arranged alongside the incredible event coordinators, McCullough Moore, we created an amazing event featuring a lot of caffeine!

We had the most incredible time and the feedback from visitors and exhibitors has been amazing! Here are a few highlights:

Talks

Across the weekend there were some really insightful talks from industry professionals. A particularly important talk came from James Wilkinson of Omwani Coffee. James spoke about the the impact of Covid-19 on coffee farmers, and their recovery from the pandemic. It is so important to remember where we source our coffee from and the issues these people face.

Another brilliant talk was between Dan Harvey (La Marzocco), David Leeper (65mm Coffee/Cast Iron Roasters), and Tom Denning (Skinny Dip Coffee). They discussed having and growing a career in the speciality coffee industry. They spoke of their own struggles, what they had learnt and what they would have done differently. They spoke honestly about how someone seeking a career in coffee can find their way in, and how to face certain obstacles. 

Stands

Where do we start?! We had some amazing exhibitors all offering something individual. We had lots of local producers as well as some from further afield! 

Pelicano Coffee Roasters: Pelicano are roasters based in Brighton. Here at Garage we cannot stop talking about their Mexican Natural! SO tangy and floral, this coffee hit the spot (not to mention Pal and Dom were such fun; they even got involved with the Latte Art Throwdown!)

Crumbly Monkey: A relatively new bakery business based in Deal. Caramel shortbread, brownies and cupcakes as well as a whole array of vegan goodies; it all went down so well! This was these guys first event and they smashed it; selling out of most of their stock.

Owlet Fruit Juice: We have been using Owlet as our juice supplier for a few years now so we were thrilled when they signed up! Visitors were particularly enjoying their new Apple and Aronia Berry juice; always grown here in beautiful Kent. 

Curve Coffee Roasters: Fellow Kent coffee roasters Curve were in our Roasters Zone and they also did a slot on the filter bar. They showcased their new and unique Diego Samuel Bermudez, Red Bourbon coffee. This filter was super juicy with peach and wild strawberry flavours, and a sweet hibiscus finish. 

The Beehive: Based in Ashford, Becca has created an amazing space which aims to empower and support women, whatever they may need. They provide a personal shopping experience, coffee and cake, and support wellbeing.

Latte Art Throwdown 

Across the weekend, our Head of Coffee Sam provided basic latte art training to those who wanted to learn a new skill or improve on existing barista skills. The uptake was amazing! We also held throwdowns at 3pm each day. Well, what a buzz! Our competitors were incredible; creating rosettas, a hanging heart and even a seahorse! It was a brilliant showcase of the wonderful skill that is latte art. Our winners over the weekend were Jesse (La Marzocco) and Martha (Forts).

We cannot forget our very generous sponsors; without whom we would have never been able to put the event on. La Marzocco, BWT, Oatly, Smiths Coffee Company and Northiam Dairy. 

Same time next year?!

Now just to get off of that caffeine high...