Creative Coffee Week has turned Durban
Durban welcomes best beans and baristas for the inaugural Creative Coffee Week
The inaugural Creative Coffee Week has turned Durban into a percolating hub of coffee activity as South Africa’s leading coffee professionals converge at the promenade and Point waterfront from 26 to 28 July. Organised by Coffee Magazine – in partnership with eThekwini Municipality and headline sponsors, FNB, Selati and Innovate Durban – this energised event is set to drive local commerce, create employment among the youth and share global insights into the coffee industry.
Iain Evans, event organiser, said the drive behind Creative Coffee Week was to celebrate the blossoming coffee culture emerging across the city.
“For a few years now, we at Coffee Magazine have watched coffee industry mature and create its own identity,” explained Evans. “We have also been fortunate enough to be involved in the competitive coffee competitions, both locally and overseas, which have allowed us to connect with many in the industry. We decided it’s time to celebrate the culture and the fantastic people that make up the industry, while looking at ways to carve the South African niche in the global coffee arena.”
An impressive 250 of South Africa’s leading coffee professionals, among them roasters, green bean importers, baristas, and coffee owners, will be attending the various workshops and training sessions held throughout the week. These informative sessions will be hosted by nine international guests who are excited to share their expert insights.
The hosts include competitive barista and owner of Colona Coffee, Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood; Lemuel Butler, five-time US Barista Champion; Teija Lublinkoff, WBC International Judge at the SA Nationals; Steve Slark, Chairman of the European Beverage Association and the MD of European Watercare; and Ben Weiner, owner of Gold Mountain Coffee Growers.
Commenting on his involvement in the inaugural Creative Coffee Week, Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood said: “I am thrilled to be involved – coffee events are integral to bringing the coffee community together and helping it flourish. Creative Coffee Week will be a truly unique approach.”
In addition to organising the event, Selati and Coffee Magazine have been working with various stakeholders in the education and coffee sectors to give nine young people from townships in South Africa, and three deaf people, a chance to change their lives through coffee. These baristas were selected from South African townships and identified as bursary recipients for the Selati Barista Education Programme. This was established as a way to upskill youngsters from disadvantaged communities and provide them with a career that can take them worldwide.
“Selati is a positive brand, always looking to invest in the communities focused around our product, and we are excited to see how these young candidates will make a difference in their communities,” said Portia Dube, Marketing Manager at Selati.
Selati sponsored the education and training which includes a UNISA Barista Short Course in Coffee, the SCA Level 1 Barista Course, as well as a three-month long internship, under the mentorship of café partners.
Shupi Nkgadima, one of the candidates currently working at Crema Coffee Bar in Rocklands, Bloemfontein, said: “Each week brings more excitement for all of us. It’s going to be a fascinating and engaging journey full of learnings – it is fulfilling to be part of the process.”
The Creative Coffee Week culminates in the Coffee Magazine Awards Gala Dinner taking place at uShaka Marine World on Saturday, 28 July. This event will celebrate excellence and innovation in the coffee industry, as well as acting as a graduation ceremony for 13 students of the Selati Barista Education Programme.
For more information, visit www.coffeemagazine.co.za
CREATIVE COFFEE WEEK PROGRAMME
Thursday 26 July
7am – 12pm: Registration. CCW HQ will be open for Attendees to pick up accreditation and CCW welcome packs. Complimentary coffee from Sanremo South Africa – Pumphouse, Durban Promenade.
10am – 12pm: Workshop 1 ‘Barista Focus’ featuring Winston Thomas (2x SA Barista Champ) and Alessandro Moricco.
12pm – 1pm: Lunch and coffee at HQ.
1pm – 2.30pm: Workshop 2 featuring Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood (UK Barista Champion) at Bond Shed, Point Waterfront.
3pm – 4.30pm: Workshop 3 ‘Water for Cafés – Going Beyond’ featuring Steve Slark (Chairman, UK Beverage Association). Interactive panel discussion including Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood at Bond Shed, Point Waterfront.
6pm – 10pm: Almond Breeze Breezey Masters (KZN) at Skyline Coffee, Gordon Road off Florida Road. Beer and pizza included.
Friday 27 July
7am – 8am: Coffee at HQ with Sanremo Coffee ZA.
9am – 12pm: ‘A Shot in the Dark’ at The Bond Shed. An all-new multimedia concept, hangout with Lem Butler (2016 US Barista Champion and co-owner of Black & White Roasters) and Ben Wiener (Gold Mountain Coffee Growers) for the morning while playing on the Genio Roaster with Neil Maree. 10 of the best roasters in the country will be in attendance to compete. Interact and engage with cutting-edge equipment and coffee professionals.
12pm – 1pm: Lunch.
1pm – 2.30pm: Workshop 5, the ‘Flavour’ panel discussion (talk and Q&A) with Lem Butler, Cuth Bland at The Bond Shed.
3pm – 4pm: Workshop 6, panel discussion on ‘FailFest Sundowners’. An opportunity to share your biggest coffee learning lessons at Pumphouse HQ, with drinks and snacks provided.
7pm – late: Caffeine Comedown Party at 031 Distillery.
Saturday 28 July
OPTION ONE: Green Coffee Focus
Beaver Creek Coffee Farm Crop-to-Cup tour. Meet at CCW HQ by 8am – bus leaves for Beaver Creek Coffee Farm (1.5-hour drive).
10am – Crop-to-Cup Tour with Dylan Cummings
Early Lunch (included in costs).
12pm – 1.30pm: Green Bean discussion with Ben Wiener, Dylan Cummings, Grant Harrison and Nicodemus Nabakwe. More to be announced.
Arrive back in Durban by 4pm.
OPTION TWO: Tools for Your Coffee Business
7am: Meet at Bike and Bean for cycle, then coffee at HQ sponsored by Sanremo SA.
9am – 10am: Workshop 7, ‘Using Technology to Improve Your Business’ by Richard McGeorge, tablet POS at The Bond Shed.
10.30am – 11.30am: ‘Social Media and Marketing for Your Coffee Business’ with Andy Andersen of manmakecoffee. Very pleased to welcome this SA Instagram phenomenon to the programme!
12pm – 1pm: Snacks and coffee at HQ
2.30pm – 4pm: Bringing you Durban’s coffees in one place! Each participating café will share something special and some wisdom from their experiences. At CCW HQ.
7pm – 11pm: Creative Coffee Week Gala Dinner and Coffee Magazine Awards 2018, presented by Selati at Ushaka Marine World Aquarium. Book a table of 10 or buy your tickets from www.creativecoffeeweek.co.za, click on “Gala Dinner” on the products’ page