15 July 2021 | 26 mins

Episode 19: Starbucks at 50

As the world’s largest coffee chain turns 50, we explore Starbucks’ enduring influence on the business of coffee. Accompanying a special feature in 5THWAVE magazine, we bring you insights from six global coffee professionals as they reflect on Starbucks' cultural legacy.

In a series of conversations with Jeffrey Young, we hear from coffee historian, Professor Jonathan Morris, Kent Bakke, Board Member, La Marzocco, Maurizio Guili, Corporate Strategy Executive for Simonelli Group, Scott Rao, coffee consultant and author, Barry Kither, coffee consultant and former Sales and Marketing Director at Lavazza UK, and Henry Roberts, CEO, Two Hands.

Read more on our Starbucks at 50 feature in the latest issue of 5THWAVE magazine: https://www.worldcoffeeportal.com/5THWAVE/Magazine

Hear more from Jonathan Morris' History of Coffee podcast and get a copy of his book Coffee: A Global History.

Credits music: Frappuccino by Yassi V finalist for the summer Coffee Music Project 2021

Guests

Kent Bakke

Board Member, La Marzocco

With over 40 years in the industry, Kent Bakke was a pioneer in the Seattle coffee scene. Bakke began working with La Marzocco in 1978, in regional sales and played an integral role in building the US distribution of La Marzocco machines.

Maurizio Giuli

Corporate Strategy, Simonelli Group

Maurizio Giuli has over 20 years’ experience in the coffee industry, having started working at Italian coffee machine manufacturer, Simonelli Group, in 2000. He has held senior roles in marketing and is the Groups’ Corporate Strategy Executive.

Scott Rao

Coffee consultant and author

Scott Rao is one of the coffee industry's leading educators and is the author of three best-selling coffee and training publications. Rao opened his first café and roastery in the US at the age of 22 and later founded a pioneering café in Montreal.

Henry Roberts

CEO & Founder, Two Hands

Henry Roberts is the CEO & Founder of Two Hands, a brand of Australian-inspired cafes in New York and Austin, Texas. Roberts has worked in the hospitality industry for over 12 years, is a grass-fed beef farmer and also hold a bachelor of Music & Entertainment.

Jonathan Morris

Professor and Coffee Historian

Jonathan Morris is a leading academic and author on the history of coffee. Morris is Professor of Modern History at the University of Hertfordshire, a Vice President of the Royal Historical Society, and a judge of the Specialty Coffee Association's 'Best New Product' awards.

Barry Kither

Coffee consultant

Barry Kither is a leading coffee, foodservice and vending consultant and has over 30 years’ experience in the coffee industry. Kither is the former Sales and Marketing Director for Lavazza and oversaw the development of the brand in the foodservice and vending sectors.