London Coffee Festival 2013

The London Coffee Festival is a highlight in the Rochstar calendar and after a great event in 2012 our expectations were even higher this year. 

We were slightly miffed to find ourselves at the back of one of the longest queues we have ever seen (considering the British love of queuing this is no mean feat), luckily it didn’t move too slowly and we got into the Old Truman Brewery within 30 minutes.  We still feel this is something that needs to be sorted out for 2014 though.

On arrival we immediately saw some differences from last year’s event.  For one coffee giant Starbucks was back, bigger and bolder than before and in direct competition with Costa’s photobooth idea. It also definitely felt like there were less stands this year than last.  However, we immediately dived into the throng of tea, coffee and snack stands to see what was on offer this year, here are some of the highlights:

• Discovering the Saigon coffee company which has just launched in the UK, reminding Rochstar Emma of   the amazing coffee culture in Vietnam
• Tasting the new coconut and papaya flavour from our favourite New Zealand yoghurt company The Collective Dairy
• Saying hi to our old friends Lavazza at their A Modo Mio stand
• Sampling the new apple and peach flavour MOMA! Breakfast pot and having a great chat with their guys on the stand
• Sipping Tea Pigs Matcha Green Tea mixed with apple juice – absolutely delicious and a wonderful, healthy green colour!
• Grasshopper instant meals – changed our opinion of ‘just add water’ meals, utterly scrummy and good for you!

After a few hours of wandering, eating and tasting we were ushered out by some harassed looking security guards.  While not as busy as last year and with some notable companies absent, it was still a great event and we look forward to next year (minus the queues)!

Happy Freedom Day!

Happy Freedom Day to all South Africans!

Freedom Day in South Africa commemorates the day of the first national election in which the vote did not depend upon race, paving the way for a racially equal South Africa.

The day celebrates freedom and the end of over 20 years of brutal apartheid.  Keep your eyes peeled for the various South African celebrations taking place across London.

Freedom Day Bring and Braai

If you’re a Saffa in London looking for a way to celebrate Freedom Day, or just a big fan of a good old braai (barbecue to Brits), then pop down to Wimbledon Park this Saturday (27 April) from 10am-6pm, for the Freedom Day bring and braai.

Organisers suggest bringing braai packs, picnic baskets, snacks and drinks.  If you don’t have your own braai handy, fear not they sell them at the Sainsbury’s opposite.

Although the weather won’t be South African the feel of the event certainly will, so pack your braai and beer and head to Wimbledon to celebrate Saffa style!

For more info on the event visit the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/480054802068379/.

UK Coffee Week

As die-hard coffee fans (you should see us before our morning cup!) we always look forward to UK Coffee Week.  It’s great that the UK, formerly not considered to be on the ‘coffee culture map’, is now leading the way in international coffee culture.

UK Coffee Week is not only a celebration of coffee and UK coffee culture – culminating in the London Coffee Festival from the 25-28 April at the Old Brewery Brick Lane, it also unites the coffee industry to raise money for Project Waterfall.

Project Waterfall aims to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in African coffee-growing countries.  This project is already providing clean water to communities in the Mbulu District of Tanzania.

As sub-Saharan African countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania are some of the world’s biggest coffee producers, this week is a great way for the coffee industry to give back to the people who live in these countries.

Find about more about UK Coffee Week and how you can give back at http://www.ukcoffeeweek.com/Project-Waterfall.aspx

We’re heading to the London Coffee Festival this weekend, so check out our review next Monday.

South Africa Week

We are declaring this week ‘South Africa Week’ (22 – 28 April) in honour of Freedom Day which takes place on 27 April every year, and we have a couple of very good reasons for doing so:

1. Freedom Day commemorates a major and positive turning point in South Africa’s history and should be remembered around the world
2. Scores of lovely South Africans have made London their home over the years, so to make them feel even more welcome we want to share some facts about South Africa to commemorate this special day
3. We love South Africa, from the stunning beaches of Cape Town and the vineyards of the Western Cape to the awe-inspiring safari at Kruger and other National Parks
4. Speaking of vineyards, we love South African wine, especially a good Pinotage
5. Our Rochstar Emma loves penguins and giraffes, so loves the fact that in South Africa you can see both!
6. We love working with our South African born client Nando’s and would love to work with more South African brands

Keep an eye on our New to London and Rochester PR Twitter feeds @New2_London and @RochesterPR and our company LinkedIn Group http://www.linkedin.com/company/2480079?trk=tyah for our thoughts and comments on everything South African in the coming days.