Cup North returns for a third time but now under a new guise of Manchester Coffee Festival.
Established by two coffee mad friends, we wanted to spread knowledge of speciality coffee in our hometown of Manchester. In just three short years, the festival has earned itself a reputation as a coffee event with a difference, founded on principles of engagement, sustainability, inclusivity, education and some healthy competition to round things off.
We’re not big fans of boring trade shows where visitors amble from stand to stand to sample free tasters so we encourage all of our exhibitors to do something totally different, fun and educational on their stand. Some of the activities this year include a coffee acids tasting, flavour profile challenges, traditional Mayan hot chocolate demonstrations, and make your own coffee label.
Planning this year, sustainability was the word on everyone’s lips so we decided to make it the focus of our festival workshops. In partnership with Vegware, we have curated a series of presentations and activities aimed at utilising the by-products of coffee production. Festival goers can make their own mushroom grow kit, create their own homewares or take home a new cocktail recipe!
As always, family is very important to us so we do the utmost to make sure that the facilities at the festival venue are suitable for all ages. Families can take some time out in our kids play area – bring your Mum, your Grandad and your baby!
Tamper Tantrum: Everyone’s favourite bringer of coffee talks – this year we tasked TT to bring something a little different to the festival. Expect coffee blossom, a brewing competition, beer tasting, coffee confessionals and the chance to engage with a panel of all northern coffee shop owners.
The starting point to many a coffee career, our partnership with SCAE UK to bring the UK Cup Tasters Competition to Manchester Coffee Festival is one we’re very proud of. Having a competition at the festival helps to bridge the gap between consumers and industry folk and helps us in our knowledge sharing quest.
Tickets for the Manchester Coffee Festival brought to you by Cup North can be purchased now at the festival website > http://cupnorth.co.uk/tickets/