The Manchester Coffee Festival is back this November celebrating its ten year anniversary with a massive array of new and returning exhibitors, a brand new main stage, a dedicated tasting room and a custom talk arena in 2024.
MCF returns to the Bowlers Exhibition Centre across the weekend of 16th-17th November, where coffee professionals, connoisseurs and novices all come together to brew, sample and compete in the north’s biggest celebration of coffee.
A full programme of competitions, workshops, cuppings, expert panels and talks runs alongside a vast collection of incredible roasters, manufacturers, local makers, food and drink vendors, all soundtracked by the guest DJs over the weekend.
With so much to see and taste over the weekend, we’ve put together our top five experiences you don’t want to miss at the Manchester Coffee Festival this November.
EXPERT SPEAKERS - NEW ARENA
The lineup of keynote speakers and panel discussions at MCF this year will be taking place in a brand new, specially-curated talk arena.
Many of the coffee world’s leading voices will be diving into the hot topics affecting the industry today; from automation to climate issues, and inclusivity to sustainability, you can listen to the experts before getting a chance to pick their brains on the future of coffee.
NEW LIVE COMPETITIONS
The Manchester Coffee Festival will host the first ever MCF Latte Art Championships this November on the Main Stage.
Featuring the best of the north’s barista talent, this competition will see competitors go head-to-head in a latte art throwdown, with the pouring patterns becoming increasingly more difficult as the rounds progress.
Judged by a panel of some of UK’s most influential coffee heads, the winner will be crowned champion of the inaugural MCF Latte Art Championships.
THE TASTING ROOMS
You can get your taste buds tingling with some of the very best coffee from around the globe in The Tasting Rooms. The dedicated tasting space will be named after the founder and owner of Ancoats Coffee Co, Jamie Boland, to commemorate the recent sad news of his passing.
Importers and roasters from up and down the country will descend on Manchester to showcase their newest and most exciting coffees with cupping sessions in the Jamie Boland Tasting Rooms, allowing you to try these coffees first hand from those who sourced it.
You’ll be guided through the sensory analysis of each coffee, from its aromas to its body and the breakdown of notes on the palate. With a packed out lineup, you can expect to cup with the likes of Raw Material, Primavera, Osito, DR Wakefield, Ally Coffee and many more.
MASTER WORKSHOPS
Ever felt the need for a one-to-one session to sharpen those coffee skills? The Master Workshops allow you to get specialist guidance from some of the best and most skilled coffee experts in the country.
Places will be limited but this is your chance to hone those barista skills, or make the leap from amateur to skilled brewer by learning a few tricks of the trade.
THE MAKERS MARKET
Manchester offers a wealth of fantastic local creators and independent makers, and you can find a crafted collection of traders from the local community at The Makers Market.
Shopping local is so important in today’s world, and the return of the MCF Makers Market means there will be no better chance to chat directly with those behind the craft and get some custom goodies or some early presents for the festival season.
Tickets are being booked up fast for the tenth annual Manchester Coffee Festival so make sure you don’t miss out on all these amazing opportunities and so much more at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre in November.
Learn more about Manchester Coffee Festival and secure your tickets by heading here.
Manchester Coffee Festival
16-17 November 2024
Bowlers Exhibition Centre, M17 1SN
MCF2024 is proudly sponsored by La Marzocco, Oatly, iX Water, Decent Packaging, Stores and Embargo App, as well as partnering with Farmers Voice Radio and The Proud Trust.