Esther Maasdam: bringing specialty coffee to the people

Imagine going to a trade show on tractors and being served coffee that is better than any coffee you have had before. Or rocking up to a wedding in a field and being served coffee that is as good as your favourite local cafe. In this conversation with Esther Maasdam, co-founder of Manhattan coffee roasters and founder of her eponymous events business: Esther Maasdam coffee connoisseur, we talk about how she has been bringing specialty coffee to the people at events for the past 20 years. For many people operating coffee businesses, there are requests to serve coffee at events, but the reality of doing this versus the expectations of the customer are often completely misaligned. There is a specialist skillset to set up a bespoke coffee service, that incorporates events management but also the skills of a coffee technician, barista and cafe operator. It is no wonder, so few people and companies in the world can do this well. In this episode we discuss:Bringing great coffee to peopleProviding great work for baristas - fun, quality coffeeBrand implications for Manhattan coffee at events - attracts baristas and promotes the Manhattan brandResilience - the essential trait of an events coordinatorPower of deductionTechnical knowledgeWar stories Pricing eventsEvents is not about making the best espresso in the world, it is about getting people excitedRecruiting baristas and skillset of an events baristaGrowing the brand - building from always present to entrusting others.Service models - speed and experienceThe menu at eventsCoffee on the barA Manhattan coffee shop?Links:https://esthermaasdam.comhttps://manhattancoffeeroasters.com