Introducing Our Industry Purchase Programme
Part of our tenth anniversary celebrations, we're proud to introduce the Workshop Coffee Professional Community – our industry purchase programme. A new initiative based on old principles, it's one way in which we hope to continue building relationships with those within the specialty coffee industry.
2021 marks our tenth year seeking out, roasting and showcasing exceptional coffee from our home here in London.
At once exciting and at the same time entirely arbitrary, the movement from single to double-digits has us reflecting on just how much we have learnt since we began roasting coffee. We’ve encountered numerous and ongoing firsts along the way, spanning new coffees, origins, locations, roasters, team members, partnerships and more.
In the pursuit of progress it can be all too easy to get swept up in its momentum. However, change has only been a constant for us in allowing us to hone in and focus further on the unwavering tenets we strive to adhere to.
We’ve always aimed to keep a set of guiding principles squarely in our sights: a commitment to the people that grow and prepare the product we’re lucky enough to source, roast and serve; an unwavering focus on offering a continuously improving, consistently delicious product; a dedication to building lasting relationships, be they with farmers and producers at origin or our wholesale partners across the world.
As well as taking the occasional moment to reflect over the coming months, it will be these guiding principles that we’re keeping at the front of our minds as we begin our second decade. Using this milestone as an opportunity to double down on our beliefs, we’ll be continuing to look ahead, paving the way for the next ten years (and beyond) of Workshop Coffee.
To kick this process off, we’re proud to introduce a new initiative based on old principles.
The best relationships rely on a cycle of open communication and accessibility, which is why we’ve always sought out those who share our values. Whether team members, producing partners or those looking to introduce exceptional coffee to a new community, great people doing great things in their own areas doesn’t just align with our own approach – it provides us with another opportunity to learn and improve.
The Workshop Coffee Professional Community is one way in which we hope to continue establishing and building relationships with those within the specialty coffee industry. Providing exclusive discounts to those working with the product we love, our aim is to ensure our seasonal range of single origin coffees be as accessible as possible regardless of your place or position within the industry.
We’re looking forward to sharing more projects and products we’ll be kicking off in our tenth year over the following weeks. Until then, you can discover more about our Professional Community and submit your application here.
Where To Drink It: Lundenwic
This year has seen a number of new Wholesale Partners joining the roster and in a tip of the hat to Sprudge's 'Build Outs Of Summer', we thought we'd show a little of how Lundenwic, recently opened in July, came together over the first months of summer.
Lundenwic is an ambitious new Scandinavian-style cafe named after the seventh century Anglo-Saxon settlement, in the area by the Thames that became Aldwych. Set up by Ollie Hiam and Dominic Hamdy, the team behind Scotchtails, the cafe is located between the main Covent Garden theatres and Somerset House and brings much needed specialty coffee to the area.
Previously an old fashioned British Snack Bar, the Lundenwic team has been hard at work stripping out old kitchen equipment, yellowing walls and previously boarded up windows. Creating this cleaner, exposed interior, the focus has shifted onto the food and drink where vibrant salads and cold-press juices bring welcome colour to the space.
Setting up a cafe is never easy, but what the team at Lundenwic have achieved is quite spectacular in such a short amount of time. Be sure to drop by for a Cult of Done Espresso and a bite to eat, allowing yourself a moment to admire their handiwork in person.
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Lundenwic
Address
45 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4DW
Twitter
@Lundenwic
Hours
Mon to Friday – 7am to 7pm
Saturday - 10am to 7pm
Sunday - Closed
Kabingara AA Espresso: Where To Drink It
We like to explore all avenues of potential tastiness with our coffees, test roasting them numerous times before they ever see time on bar. Sometimes during this process we discover a coffee we bought intended for filter makes an astounding espresso, or vice versa, and so it has happened with the Kabingara AA purchased from the Karithathi Farmers Co-operative Society in Kirinyaga, Kenya.
Having already been released as a filter coffee, we chose to offer the Kabingara AA to a handful of our most loyal wholesale customers to run as their main espresso for a few weeks. By developing the Kabingara further through a longer contact time in the drum, around 11m20s rather than the 9m10s filter roast, however with an end temperature that's actually lower, the raspberry notes have become more prevalent and the finish is reminiscent of black cherries and vanilla. It also handily serves as a little precursor to the Githiga AB Espresso which is launching on general release soon!
With only a limited amount of the Kabingara AA available, we decided it would only be offered at our Clerkenwell cafe and the list of customers below. So, for only a short amount of time, you'll be able to try this delicious Kenyan Espresso at these locations for the next few weeks.
Excitingly, this also includes Association Coffee's new shop on Ludgate Hill if you needed another reason to go visit Sam and Christian in their opening few weeks!
Association Coffee
No. 10/12 Creechurch Lane London EC3A 5AY
Unit 3, 56 Ludgate Hill, London, EC4M 7AW
Fortitude Coffee
3C York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EB
Daily Goods
36 Camberwell Church St, London, SE5 8QZ
Fields Cafe
2 Rookery Road, Clapham Common, London, SW4 9DD
Where To Drink It: Knockbox Coffee
Sat on the corner of Lamb's Conduit Street, Knockbox Coffee sets itself apart from the crowd by focussing on all the small details. From the light fixtures to the copper-legged chairs, much of the cafe was made bespoke to owner Mete's specification. Even the knockbox itself is a one-of-a-kind wooden affair built solely for the space.
While the cafe itself may be quite small, Knockbox Coffee has already become a hub for the Bloomsbury community. Frequented by the men's fashion retailers of the street, Knockbox has become the location for many a photo shoot. Don’t be surprised in looking up from your Cult of Done Espresso to find yourself sat across from a designer, cameraman or maybe even a world famous model.
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Knockbox Coffee
Address
29 Lamb's Conduit Street, London, WC1N 3NG
Twitter
@knockboxcoffee_
Hours
Mon to Friday – 7.30am to 6.00pm
Saturday - 8.00am to 5.00pm
Sunday - Closed
Where To Drink It: Daily Goods, Camberwell
We’ve been working with Carter Donnell since he started Daily Goods as a small concession in the now closed Kinoko Cycles some two years ago. The little Soho concession we blogged about shut doors in Golden Square last June and re-opened as a much more substantial cafe across the river in Camberwell, South London. We dropped by Daily Goods to catch up with Carter and ask a few questions about the changes and what it's been like over the last year:
So how did you first get introduced into coffee? Where did you work before setting up Daily Goods?
I grew up in a small town in Idaho and like normal, small town American life there was always a pot of coffee at home - coffee was always there noon and night. I didn't think anything of it until I was watching my favourite skateboarder on a video, he was drinking a cup of coffee while waiting for a train in New York. I emulated him in every other way so I knew I had to start drinking coffee.
My first job in coffee was at Starbucks and, ironically, it was there I actually learnt that coffee could be something other than a caramel syrup-filled slushy drink! On my first day they made me cup the two coffees they were currently serving: a Colombian and an Ethiopian. When I tried the Ethiopian against the Colombian I couldn't believe that you could taste actual flavours, different flavours, from coffee without adding anything to them!
From there, using the sweet deal of being able to work at any Starbucks, I left Idaho and headed to the East Coast. Settling in Philadelphia for a year, I took every opportunity to travel to Manhattan on the bus. Discovering the guys at Ninth Street Espresso on 13th St. in New York (now Everyman Espresso) was a revelation; no syrups, no blender, no sandwiches, just great coffee! I set about convincing them I wasn't a brainwashed Starbucks barista, was willing to forget everything I was taught and learn it their way if they gave me the opportunity. I worked at Ninth St. for three years, learnt a great deal about coffee and loved that job so much!
Afterwards I moved to London and worked at some great places like Milk Bar, Store Street Espresso and Embassy East. After a while however, I knew it was time I set out to do my own thing and try to create what I missed most about working in New York, the neighbourhood feel. I wasn't able to fund anything standalone on my own so found a stepping stone in Kinoko Cycles. I rented a small corner of the cycle shop in Soho and traded there for a year.
What's it been like going from a one-man band to being the owner-operator of a whole team?
Oh man! I would be lying if I said it was easy. I had no idea how much work it would be. Trading from a small counter on my own everyday for a year was easy enough; I knew what I needed to do and how to do it and had no one to answer to or look after, except for the customers of course. Opening in Camberwell has been a rewarding challenge; I now have five employees who I have to make sure get paid, get breaks and have fun while working. That is an amazing feeling but also a lot of responsibility!
Nowadays I do a lot more managerial work but when I leave the office and see the cafe full of regulars and my crew behind the counter serving these people and knowing them on a first name basis, ultimately building more of our community in Camberwell, I can't help but be happy with what Daily Goods has become, even if I am behind the counter less myself.
Do you ever miss the little bar at Kinoko Cycles?
No, not at all. I didn't like being in someone else's space and being held to their guidelines. It was an amazing opportunity and I can't forget that, but I'm much more happy here in Camberwell.
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It’s always the greatest of pleasures to see our Wholesale Partner’s grow and develop. While some go on to open second shops or do major refurbishments, others like Daily Goods go from small establishments to being much bigger cafés that form the hub of a community.
So, if you do find yourself in Camberwell, you know where to go for a great Cult of Done Espresso or a filter coffee served from the Fetco batch brewer. We can’t wait to see what Carter and his team have planned next and look forward to helping out where we can, as Daily Goods continues to grow and develop in the coming years.
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Daily Goods
Address
36 Camberwell Church Street, London, SE5 8QZ
Twitter
@dailygoodsldn
Hours
Mon to Friday – 7.30am to 6.30pm
Saturday - 9.30am to 5.30pm
Sunday - 10am to 5pm
Where to Drink It: The Association
Based in the City of London, The Association is a respite from the banality of the average commercial cafe. High design and impeccable service, alongside well brewed espresso and filter coffees make The Association a focal point of London’s coffee scene. The care and attention that Sam and his team put into each element of service is phenomenal.
With a selection of Workshop Coffee espressos and filter coffee on offer The Association is one of the best places within the square mile to grab a coffee. Make sure to pick up a bag of filter coffee before you leave because the shop is only open Monday through Friday.
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The Association
Address
No. 10/12 Creechurch Lane, London, EC3A 5AY
Phone
020 7283 1155
Twitter
@AssociationEC3
Hours
Mon to Fri – 7.30am to 5pm
Sat and Sun - Closed
Where To Drink It: Hoxton North
We were thrilled when we first met Tim and Vicky, who had grand plans to return to their hometown of Harrogate and take a little of bit of London with them. Hoxton North - a espresso bar and cafe - is the culmination of many months planning and hard work.
Hoxton North has a unique design with dark wood and Victorian brass antiques that bridge the gap between the history of the location and the modernity of the coffee scene. Elegant corner window seats allow you to admire the stone architecture of Parliament Street. Of particular note is ‘the Snug’: a large wooden table in a private booth inset into the wall opposite the bar. This distinct area of the cafe is an intimate location from which to watch the preparation of your Cult of Done Espresso or enjoy a private chat with friends.
The team at Hoxton North have already begun running regular coffee tasting events and are more than happy to chat with you about the different Workshop espresso and filter they have available from a regularly changing menu.
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Hoxton North
Address
52 Parliament Street, Harrogate HG1 2RL
Email
info@hoxtonnorth.com
Hours
Mon – Closed
Tues to Fri - 8.30am to 5pm
Sat – 9.30am to 5pm
Sunday – 10am to 4pm
Where To Drink It: Daily Goods
Tucked away behind the doors of Kinoko Cycles, Daily Goods have been turning out great Workshop Coffee since early 2013. Sitting at the corner of Golden Square in London’s Soho, Daily Goods is a simple but brilliant little location to pick up a coffee or a bag of Workshop Coffee filter or espresso.
The bar itself is no larger than a few square metres is fitted out with a simple Linea and Anfim set up. There is no pretence or novelties, just good quality coffee served with care, attention to detail and the ever pleasant company of Daily Goods’ sole barista and owner, Carter.
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Daily Goods
Address
10 Golden Square, London W1F 9JA
Email
dailygoodscoffee@gmail.com
Hours
Mon to Fri – 8am to 6pm
Sat, Sunday and Bank Holidays – Closed
Where to Drink It: 119 Lower Clapton
This airy and sleek cafe on Lower Clapton Road has quickly become a focal point for the local community. Situated between Hackney Downs to the North and Victoria Park to the South, 119 Lower Clapton is a great spot to come and enjoy relaxing on a bright sunny day.
The simple white and glass aesthetic and double height ceiling makes this the perfect location for admiring the seasonally changing wall art. Regularly hosting a range of different artists and even the works of fine crafts people, 119 Lower Clapton is a natural hub for anyone interested in design and the arts.
Serving Cult of Done Espresso from a two group Nuova Simonelli alongside a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, home baked cake and coddled eggs. The coffee, food and space is well considered and thought out, making 119 Lower Clapton a great location for working at your laptop or having a break in a busy day.
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119 Lower Clapton
Address
119 Lower Clapton Rd, London E5 0NP
Phone
020 8533 9763
Email
hello@119lowerclapton.co.uk
Hours
Mon to Fri – 8am to 5pm
Sat – 9am to 5pm
Sunday – 10am to 4pm
Where To Drink It: Talkhouse Coffee
Talkhouse Coffee has attracted a lot of attention as the first serious venture into speciality coffee West of Fitzrovia. The buzz, however, has rightly shifted from its location on Portobello Road, to the level of attention and skill in the preparation of their espresso and filter drinks.
The minimalist design and colour choice encourages customers to engage with each other and the food on offer, rather than their surroundings. For those just coming for a quick coffee a long sleek wooden bar allows for customers to sit and enjoy watching the preparation of their chosen drink. Similarly, looking through the open window kitchen you can see chefs preparing Talkhouse’s distinct selection of brunches and sweets. Quiet and calm, Talkhouse is a respite from the frantic and often frenetic energy of Portobello.
Talkhouse regularly showcases our Cult of Done Espresso and single origin filter coffees, like the superb Kabingara. In addition there are a range of retail coffees to take home, alongside grinders and brewing equipment.
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Talkhouse Coffee
Address
275 Portobello Road, London W11 1LR
Phone
020 7221 8992
Hours
Mon - Closed
Tues to Fri - 8am to 5pm
Sat – 9.30am to 7pm
Sunday – 9.30am to 5pm