Starbucks, AMT, Nero, Costa and Lavazza are among some of the industry’s top players taking part to raise money for the charity which works in partnership with WaterAid to provide sustainable clean drinking water projects to some of the poorest communities in African coffee-growing countries.
To get the week started, on Tuesday 16 April, X-Factor finalist J’Nay aka John Adeleye played ‘secret’ gigs at some of London’s finest coffee institutions.
Ian Cranna, vice president, marketing and category, Starbucks UK said: “This is a fantastic week where coffee companies in the UK can come together and make a real difference as an industry. We are passionate about improving the lives of coffee growing communities around the world, and we are very proud to be supporting UK Coffee Week this year and helping to raise money for Project Waterfall.”
Kevin Hydes, marketing director of Costa Coffee added: "Costa is delighted to be supporting UK Coffee Week again this year and helping to raise awareness for Project Waterfall. We’re proud to work in the thriving UK coffee industry and value the life-changing difference that Project Waterfall is making to some of the poorest communities in African coffee-growing countries.”
Barry Kither, sales and marketing manager at Lavazza said: “UK Coffee Week is an important and unique initiative that unites the coffee industry and raises money for Project Waterfall to provide life-changing clean water projects in African coffee-growing countries.”
To celebrate UK Coffee Week, Project Waterfall is on the look out for the Nations novice latte artists. Wannabe baristas from across the UK will be challenged to ‘create a latte art using easy-to-use guidelines provided by the Project Waterfall fundraising team.
The judges J’Nay, Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood, reigning UK barista champion and Barry Kither, sales and marketing director for Lavazza, will pick the best latte art at the end of April. The first winner takes home a pair of tickets to the Rugby League Final (worth over £800) whilst runners-up can win a Lavazza Modo Mio at-home coffee machine (worth over £150) among other prizes.
During UK Coffee Week 22 – 28 April, UK coffee lovers will be able to show their support and donate to Project Waterfall in coffee shops up and down the country, in their workplace as part of Coffee@Work (sponsored by Kenco Milicano), through Twitter using the hashtag #powerofcoffee, Facebook and through JustGiving. To donate now visit www.mydonate.bt.com/charities/ukcoffeewe-ek.