La Marzocco partners with Porsche for special edition espresso machine, Greggs opens 1920s Paris-inspired pop-up wine-bar, Lavazza secures prime-time TV sponsorship deal, Louis Vuitton café concept lands at London Heathrow and Origin Coffee to ship coffee by sail across the Atlantic Ocean
The Porsche x La Marzocco Linea Micra espresso machines and a matching La Marzocco Pico grinder | Photo credit: La Marzocco
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La Marzocco teams up with Porsche on limited-edition espresso machine
Italian coffee machine manufacturer La Marzocco has announced a ‘one-of-a-kind' partnership with Porsche Design – the lifestyle division of iconic luxury car manufacturer Porsche. In a press release, La Marzocco said the two brands teamed up to create two design versions of the Porsche x La Marzocco Linea Micra espresso machine and a matching La Marzocco Pico grinder.
Design elements include knobs inspired by the Porsche Carrera’s drive mode button, a pressure gauge displayed in the Porsche tachometer style, and cup and drip tray inspired by the Porsche GT3 grid. The products are exclusively available through Porsche Lifestyle Importer channels in selected markets globally and will also be presented at sponsored international events, including the Shanghai Coffee Festival in China, and at a pop-up Porsche x La Marzocco Café in Los Angeles, US. La Marzocca has only made 911 machines – a nod to the iconic Porsche 911 Grey Carrera.
Origin Coffee tackles supply chain emissions by shipping coffee by sail
UK specialty coffee roaster Origin Coffee has partnered with France-based coffee and cacao importer Belco on its ‘Fresh Coffee Clean Ocean’ initiative. The project is designed to address carbon emissions associated with traditional coffee transportation, with Origin stating that sea freight is currently its fourth largest emissions contributor after coffee, food & beverages, and equipment.
The Fresh Coffee Clean Ocean initiative will see a Belco team sail from Brazil to Le Havre in France, before carrying on to Origin Coffee’s roastery in Porthleven, Cornwall. The coffee from the trip will be available to purchase via Origin Coffee’s e-commerce site in early 2025. Other coffee roasters signed up to the Fresh Coffee Clean Ocean initiative include Coutume, Terres de Café and The Barn Berlin.
Greggs opens pop-up champagne bar ‘inspired by 1920s Paris’
UK value-focused bakery chain Greggs has opened a reservation-only champagne bar in Newcastle’s Fenwick Food Hall. Inspired by 1920s Paris wine bars, the site serves items from its classic pastry menu, including sausage rolls, steak bakes and cheese and onion bakes, paired with champagne from France. Newcastle-headquartered Greggs will also launch a range of signature cocktails inspired by popular Greggs sweet treats, such as a Yum Yum Twist, Cream Éclair and Pink Jammie Fizz. The Fenwick Food Hall pop-pop store will be open until 31 December 2024.
Lavazza secures two-year sponsorship deal with America’s Got Talent
Lavazza has entered a two-year partnership with TV production company Freemantle, to sponsor NBC’s America's Got Talent. As the Official Coffee Partner of the programme, Lavazza-branded cups will be visible on the judges table on set, with both NBC and America’s Got Talent promoting Lavazza on their social media channels. Created by Simon Cowell, America’s Got Talent has been broadcast on NBC since its launch in 2006 and attracts approximately 10 million viewers per season.
The sponsorship strengthens Lavazza’s visibility in its key US growth market and adds to its US partnership portfolio, which includes the US Open tennis tournament, the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) and private aviation terminal operator Signature Aviation.
Louis Vuitton unveils first UK café concept at London Heathrow Airport
French luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton has opened a new café concept at Terminal 2 of London Heathrow Airport – its first culinary venture in the UK. Launched in collaboration with French chef Cyril Lignac, the in-store coffee shop concession joins a network of more than 20 Louis Vuitton cafés globally – including sites in Paris, Bangkok and Osaka. Alongside coffee and pastries, the Heathrow site will also serve a premium all-day dining menu, including Croque-Monsieur and lobster roll dishes.