The Coffee Show with Kirk Pearson

This weeks podcast will be audio only because we had some issues with the camera recording this. The honest story is we were in a venue where chefs were butchering some freshly caught tuna (which looked lovely) and so the camera was out of focus and thus we couldn't use the footage. Kay Cheon is the United States Barista Champion of 2025 and founder of Parterre Coffee. This podcast was the last of our series in the USA and was recorded inside of Hooked Venice Beach. Kay's story is something many people can resonate with, he started as a home barista in another career and transitioned to coffee through pure love of the game. Plus, we get a surprise cameo from influential LA barista Nicely Abel! Like this podcast? Like, share, comment and tell two friends!!

Chris Maybury is a disruptor in coffee and this episode has been a long time coming. Chris and Kirk have a lot in common: They both embrace pre batched espresso, embrace automation and hold dear the very thing customers love about coffee: People! Kirk and Chris discuss what they think the barista profession will evolve to and how baristas in the future may end up becoming sommeliers. Plus, the fallout of the infamous Specialty Coffee Factory Outlet Interview continues…

Australian coffee professionals have been up in arms about a new concept called Specialty Coffee Factory Outlet (SCFO). Kirk interviewed the founders Julian Moussi and Cory Slater to get their perspective. The team who founded Inglewood Coffee are trying a new strategy in specialty, selling high quality coffee for ultra cheap prices and betting on selling high quantities. They're going for a larger degree of marketshare by lowering costs wherever possible. The most controversial element of the strategy is their roaster callouts, where they compare their own coffee to that of another roasters and juxtapose them on price. Beyond this concept, Julian and Corey have had much success with many venues in Melbourne and offer some wisdom on where hospitality is going from here on, and how they're structuring their own venues. Whatever your thoughts on them, this is a fascinating listen and we thank Julian and Cory for taking the time to come on! Like this podcast? Like, share and tell two friends!

Do you want to quit the job you hate and start a new career you love? This podcast might be the encouragement you need. Dennis Do last year had never made coffee in a cafe, now he runs Project Zero Coffee and competes in the Brewers Cup! This is a great podcast detailing how Dennis was able to change careers and a great example for other cafe owners to consider hiring staff with no experience. If you hate your job and need a push, then listen to this podcast! Like this podcast? Like, share and tell two friends!

Greg Cornes is a New Zealand based cafe owner and operator with multiple venues. Greg's profile has grown this year thanks to his viral videos dissecting and analysing what it takes to be successful business in 2026. In this podcast Greg discusses his strategy and playbook in a marketplace that has frankly turned upside down after the Pandemic, multiple supply chain issues and a protracted cost of living crisis. This is a must listen for anyone that wants to open a coffee shop or currently owns one. Greg is running online workshops which you can sign up to and directly work with him. Like this podcast? Like, comment and tell two friends!