THE world of coffee is set to take centre stage as IFEX adds a new feature to the bill for this year’s event, which is returning to the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast from 5th – 7th March – the IFEX Coffee Festival.
Ahead of the IFEX Coffee Festival, which will host masterclasses, workshops, competitions, tastings and so much more, we caught up with Content Coordinator, Vicky Weddell, to find out more about what’s in store.
The Coffee Festival will be hosted at IFEX 2024 for the very first time. What are you hoping to achieve?
Northern Ireland has a booming coffee scene and is home to some of the world’s most renowned roasters – and we want to celebrate that!
Not only that, but Northern Ireland is known for being a global leader in the hospitality and foodservice industry and coffee is a huge part of this. We’re also keen to expose restaurants and hospitality venues to new suppliers so they can continue to offer the very best coffee at their establishments.
What can visitors expect from the IFEX Coffee Festival?
There will be lots to see at the Coffee Festival. We’ll have latte art demonstrations, masterclasses and workshops from established baristas and tasting sessions at the Roasters Village and Brew Bar where visitors can meet with suppliers and learn more about their products.
A spectacle not to be missed, the Coffee Festival is also hosting the SCA Ireland Cup Tasters Championship where over 30 coffee enthusiasts will put their skills to the test. The prestigious competition will see competitors using their sensory skills to identify and decipher between different coffees to spot the odd one out and to be crowned National Champion.
Why do you think events like IFEX are important for the local coffee scene?
The Coffee Festival will enable us to highlight the coffee scene in Northern Ireland and the wealth of quality that it has.
Through hosting demonstrations, workshops, tasting sessions and competitions, we’re aiming to highlight the skills, passion and talent of baristas and suppliers from across the country.
It’s our hope that by celebrating the sector and showing the breadth of opportunities that are available, it will continue to thrive and expand in the future, which is exactly why trade events like IFEX are so important.
Register your attendance at IFEX here: https://ifex-2024.reg.buzz/. If you’d like to enquire about exhibiting, contact Lyndsey Harker by emailing:
