George Howell: The Godfather Of Specialty Coffee

George Howell: The Godfather Of Specialty Coffee

George Howell is the Founder of George Howell Coffee and one of the most influential forces in the coffee industry ever. Many know him as the man who created the Frappuccino, which he sold the rights of to Starbucks. Such was his influence in the 90’s he sold all of his venues to Starbucks as well, and has devoted his entire life to the betterment of the specialty coffee industry. In this podcast Kirk and George discuss tech in coffee, what concerns him and what the future holds. Plus, Kirk and George reflect on his life, which he is writing about in his biography. Things get emotional when we look back and ponder the world he will leave behind. A bucket list moment for Kirk, an extraordinary podcast for you. Enjoy.

Nemesis Coffee: One Of The Best Coffee Shops In The World!

Nemesis Coffee are based in Vancouver and have multiple venues spanning specialty coffee focused venues and bakeries. The owners Jes and Albert blew Kirk away with the coffee quality and service throughout the Vancouver leg of the 'Freedom Tour!' We sat down in their Great Northern Way store and spoke about the origins of Nemesis and the near terminal challenges they faced along the way. An excellent podcast for all!

The World Of Beverages Is About To Change: Dr Doran Pennington and Dr Christopher Hendon

Dr Doran Pennington is a former student of someone the coffee industry knows well: Dr Christopher Hendon. Doran and Chris story has shades of Good Will Hunting, Doran the former student recruited his teacher to form a start up that has the change to change the beverage industry as we know it. It is called Overpotential. In this episode Kirk visits the ‘Engine Room,’ a start up accelerator within the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the #1 ranked university on the planet by many. While walking through the building Kirk was even introduced to someone making lasers for mini nuclear reactors. Only startups with extremely high potential are accepted to work within the Engine Room. Doran and Chris are working on machines that will alter the chemical composition of liquids and thus their flavour. Kirk was lucky enough to try some altered instant coffee by Nescafé and it was very nice. The group spent too much time looking at cool stuff at MIT that there was only room for a small interview over some Turkey sandwiches, which were delightful. Among topics discussed were startups, innovation ecosystems, water for coffee and more. Not an episode you want to miss!

CVA 1 Year On: Have Things Improved? WIth Craig Simon of Criteria Coffee

Last year the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) announced sweeping changes to what is known at the Coffee Value Assessment. Coffee professionals were furious that a seemingly functional system of assessing a coffees quality was being replaced by a system that was far more complex. Craig Simon is Australia's leading coffee trainer who was one of two certified Q Grade instructors in the country. Craig has embraced the new changes and teaches the course at Criteria Coffee, his co roasting and education space. Kirk and Craig discuss the new form and whether or not it is practical. Among other things, Craig recounts a notorious incident involving chocolate milk and orange juice and the pre batch topic comes up.... Again!

Australia Chooses Its Favourite Coffee Roaster

'Breakfast Shirts' or Mark Crotti is a content creator who travels Australia as a touring musician and cafe connoisseur. Mark has compiled some data from a survey sent out to his followers. It seeks to find out: Who is Australia's favourite coffee roaster? What is Australia's favourite coffee order? And where is the best breakfast in the country? Kirk and Mark discuss all this week on The Coffee Show!!