One of the great things about coffee is that there is always something new to learn. A new brewing technique or fermentation process or some novel twist on how to pull the best shot. There’s no shortage of complexity when it comes to coffee and thus the opportunities to dive deeper are ever present.
In Oakland, Royal Coffee is putting that idea to the test with Development Stage, an all-new educational event. Taking place over two days in September, Development Stage brings in some of the biggest names in Bay Area coffee as well as experts in other food and beverage industries for a community event focused on sharing and expanding coffee knowledge.
The event will be held at The Crown, Royal Coffee’s tasting room and lab. Over the course of the two days, attendees will be treated with coffee tastings and pairings, panel discussions, and lectures. Topics include Bay Area coffee roaster/farmer connections, the history of coffee in the Bay, supply chain equity, and creative roaster-retailer business models and will feature coffee professionals like US Barista Champion Katie Carguilo of Counter Culture, Geoff Watts, Mother Tongue’s Jen Apodaca, Devorah Freudiger of Equator Coffees, and a host of Royal folks including Chris Kornman, Evan Gilman, and CEO Max Nicholas-Fulmer.
They will be joined by winemaker Emily Fernwood, chocolatier Julia Street, fragrance maker Lakenda Wallace, and fermenter Elizabeth Vecchiarelli, who will provide interdisciplinary context and new perspectives on coffee.
It all takes place Friday and Saturday, September 27th and 28th at The Crown in Oakland. Tickets for the two-day event cost $175 and are available for purchase via Royal Coffee’s website. The night before will feature “a free preview” event at Commune and hosted by Oscillations Coffee that will include music, small bites, and drinks and is open to all.
For more information on Development Stage or to purchase tickets, visit Royal Coffee’s official website.
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
