The Coffee Show with Kirk Pearson

This weeks podcast will be audio only because we had some issues with the camera recording this. The honest story is we were in a venue where chefs were butchering some freshly caught tuna (which looked lovely) and so the camera was out of focus and thus we couldn't use the footage.

Kay Cheon is the United States Barista Champion of 2025 and founder of Parterre Coffee.

This podcast was the last of our series in the USA and was recorded inside of Hooked Venice Beach.

Kay's story is something many people can resonate with, he started as a home barista in another career and transitioned to coffee through pure love of the game.

Plus, we get a surprise cameo from influential LA barista Nicely Abel!

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Chris Maybury is a disruptor in coffee and this episode has been a long time coming.

Chris and Kirk have a lot in common: They both embrace pre batched espresso, embrace automation and hold dear the very thing customers love about coffee: People!

Kirk and Chris discuss what they think the barista profession will evolve to and how baristas in the future may end up becoming sommeliers.

Plus, the fallout of the infamous Specialty Coffee Factory Outlet Interview continues…

Australian coffee professionals have been up in arms about a new concept called Specialty Coffee Factory Outlet (SCFO). Kirk interviewed the founders Julian Moussi and Cory Slater to get their perspective.

The team who founded Inglewood Coffee are trying a new strategy in specialty, selling high quality coffee for ultra cheap prices and betting on selling high quantities. They're going for a larger degree of marketshare by lowering costs wherever possible.

The most controversial element of the strategy is their roaster callouts, where they compare their own coffee to that of another roasters and juxtapose them on price.

Beyond this concept, Julian and Corey have had much success with many venues in Melbourne and offer some wisdom on where hospitality is going from here on, and how they're structuring their own venues.

Whatever your thoughts on them, this is a fascinating listen and we thank Julian and Cory for taking the time to come on!

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Do you want to quit the job you hate and start a new career you love? This podcast might be the encouragement you need.

Dennis Do last year had never made coffee in a cafe, now he runs Project Zero Coffee and competes in the Brewers Cup!

This is a great podcast detailing how Dennis was able to change careers and a great example for other cafe owners to consider hiring staff with no experience.

If you hate your job and need a push, then listen to this podcast!

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Greg Cornes is a New Zealand based cafe owner and operator with multiple venues.

Greg's profile has grown this year thanks to his viral videos dissecting and analysing what it takes to be successful business in 2026.

In this podcast Greg discusses his strategy and playbook in a marketplace that has frankly turned upside down after the Pandemic, multiple supply chain issues and a protracted cost of living crisis.

This is a must listen for anyone that wants to open a coffee shop or currently owns one.

Greg is running online workshops which you can sign up to and directly work with him.

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Andrew Sinclair is without a doubt one of the best ranters in specialty coffee, and should probably have a podcast of his own.

Until then, Kirk sat down with him at his roastery and discussed what its like operating a coffee shop in the US and just how hard it can be for people to make it, especially in the City of Angels.

This podcast was done just by the cooling tray of Andrew's roaster!

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Derek Taylor is a cafe owner based in Los Angeles California. His cafe Noun, is serving coffee that has been pre batched and we recorded this mini podcast in the middle of service there!

Derek is unique in his approach to business. Customers can pay with bitcoin and he has been making sure people have been caffeinated at Coachella for a number of years.

This was a short but interesting podcast that opens up new ways to do business in coffee.

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On the Austin stop of Kirk's USA Tour he met up with old friend Jak Michael Ryan and new friend Zack Talender.

Zack Talender is a US musician who wen't omega viral in Australia for his videos about the coffee. Zack's whole thing was to try and find a 'bad coffee' and he was unable to, which found him adored by pretty much every Melburnian.

Jak Michael Ryan is the new US Barista Champion, together we all contrast how coffee is different in the US vs Australia and some unique Australian terms!

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DESCRIPTION HERE

This week The Coffee Show and Keys to the Shop are doing a crossover episode in Nashville Tennessee, the closest point that could meet. Kirk and Chris Deferio are both outspoken in the coffee industry. They agree on a lot of things, and disagree on some things as well. This podcast has been months in the making but we both wanted to do it in person and it was great to make that happen. No studio, no amazing production, just two people in a room speaking about what we love. Chris is an amazing advocate for what should be the foundations of coffee shop. Tech and innovation are the talk of the industry right now, but what actually matters? What moves the needle for running a succesful business in coffee and keeping customers coming back day after day? If you're wanting to open a coffee shop or improve your operation, this is an amazing resource for you that is 100% free. All we ask is that you give us both a follow on youtube and socials, tell some friends, like or comment. These things all help massively. But most of all, brew yourself a cup of coffee, put it on at work and enjoy!