Learnings from Dutch coffee pioneers Menno Simons and Paul Sharo – recorded live at The Amsterdam Coffee Festival

About this episode

This episode features conversations with Dutch coffee pioneers Menno Simons and Paul Sharo, discussing the evolution of specialty coffee and career pathways in the industry.

Today, we’re bringing you two standout conversations recorded live on the 5THWAVE stage at The Amsterdam Coffee Festival 2026. First up, we're joined by Menno Simons, Founder of Bocca Coffee and a pioneer of the Dutch specialty coffee scene. In this thought-provoking conversation, Menno reflects on 25 years of Bocca, the evolution and longevity of specialty coffee, and why even the most established brands must continue to adapt and innovate. We then speak with Paul Sharo, Founder of Man Met Bril Koffie – the Rotterdam-based coffee hotel and roastery. In this conversation we discuss how career pathways in coffee are always evolving, and why the industry can be a platform for entrepreneurship as much as employment. Credits music: "Here's To" by Pien in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective . Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

People in this episode

Guests: Menno Simons, Paul Sharo

Topics covered

• Dutch coffee pioneers
• specialty coffee
• entrepreneurship in coffee
• coffee industry evolution
• Amsterdam Coffee Festival

Keywords

• specialty coffee
• coffee pioneers
• entrepreneurship
• Amsterdam Coffee Festival
• Bocca Coffee
• Man Met Bril Koffie

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Bocca Coffee, Man Met Bril Koffie, The Coffee Music Project, SEB Collective, worldcoffeeportal.com

Books & works: Here's To

Places: Amsterdam

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