The London Coffee Festival attracts record-breaking crowds

More than 22,000 visitors attended The London Coffee Festival from 3 ¬¬– 6 April at the Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane. The launch event of UK Coffee Week 2014 attracting 250 exhibitors with an attendance of 8000 people for the two dedicated industry days. “We are so thrilled that so many were able to join us for an incredible four days,” said Festival Organiser Ludovic Rossignol in a statement. “The response we have seen from the industry has been incredible, people flew in from all over the world to visit and the quality of experiences delivered onsite by our exhibitors set the bar in coffee excellence.” According to organisers, the festival model was designed to provide an ideal platform for visitors to source new products and innovations, as well as take part in a vibrant mix of interactive coffee experiences. “The informal environment at The London Coffee Festival gave exhibitors the opportunity to engage with our industry visitors,” said Rossignol in the statement. The sold out event saw latte art battles, pop-up coffee shops, live roasting, brewing tutorials, some of the best baristas in the country and educational workshops. Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood, from Colonna & Small’s café in the city of Bath, won the UK Barista Championship, which was held on the final day of the festival.