When I launched the Maidenhead Coffee Festival in 2023, I had a simple vision: to bring together the incredible coffee community that exists in and around our town.
I’ve always loved the way events bring people together. There’s something special about creating a space where people can connect, share ideas, discover new things, and feel part of something bigger than themselves. Coffee is the perfect vehicle for that. Behind every cup is a story, and behind every great coffee business are passionate people who really care about what they do.
And so the story of Maidenhead Coffee Festival began…
Year One – MCF 2023: Bringing the Community Together
The first festival took place in the beautiful Long Barn at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts. The goal was straightforward: gather our local coffee community in one place and celebrate everything we love about coffee.
At the time, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Organising a brand new event always comes with uncertainty, but what happened exceeded my hopes. Local coffee businesses, roasters, baristas, café owners and coffee lovers all came together under one roof.
Seeing everyone in the same room for the first time was genuinely magical.
People who had run their businesses in the same space for years were finally together in the same room. Conversations flowed, new connections were formed, and visitors discovered just how vibrant our local coffee scene really is.
That first festival laid the foundations for everything that followed.
Year Two – MCF 2024: Bringing Coffee Into the Heart of Maidenhead
After the success of the first one, I wanted to change things up to keep things evolving and exciting.
The aim for year two wasn’t just to celebrate coffee. It was also to celebrate Maidenhead itself.
We moved the festival into the town centre and made The Desborough Theatre our home. This felt like an opportunity to do something meaningful for the wider community by helping bring the venue back to life as an events space and showcasing what’s possible when people come together around a shared purpose. The Desborough Theatre had gone from a thriving community theatre to a Covid vaccination centre to a dead space full of furniture and files. It was so wonderful to see it transformed back into a community space.
The festival evolved too. Alongside exhibitors, we introduced workshops and tastings, giving visitors the chance to learn more about coffee while enjoying hands-on experiences.
Year two also saw the launch of the Maidenhead Coffee Shop Awards. I wanted to create an opportunity to celebrate the businesses that help make our town’s coffee scene so special. The awards gave our community a chance to recognise and champion their favourite local coffee spots.
Alongside the awards, we also hosted the Berkshire Barista Competition, giving talented local baristas the opportunity to showcase their skills, creativity and passion. It was a chance to shine a spotlight on the people behind the coffee and celebrate the incredible talent right on our doorstep.
One of the most humbling aspects of this second chapter was the support we received from the wider coffee community. People travelled to Maidenhead to help make the event a success, bringing equipment, espresso machines, expertise and encouragement.
Many of these individuals and businesses had no obligation to help. They simply believed in what we were trying to create.
Their generosity reminded me of one of the things I love most about the coffee industry. While there is incredible talent and professionalism, there is also a genuine willingness to support one another. People share knowledge, offer advice and step forward to help when needed.
Year Three – MCF 2025: Celebrating the Positive Impact of Coffee
For our third year, we returned to The Desborough Theatre with a theme that felt particularly important: the positive impact of coffee.
Coffee has an amazing ability to bring people together, and we wanted to explore how that impact stretches far beyond what is served in the cup.
We were joined not only by coffee businesses, but also by local groups, charities and social enterprises that use coffee as a catalyst for connection, wellbeing, inclusion and community support. Throughout the festival, visitors were able to discover the many ways coffee creates opportunities, supports meaningful causes and strengthens communities.
It was inspiring to see so many people coming together around a shared belief that coffee can be a force for good.
The event highlighted the important role our local coffee shops play too. They are often much more than places to grab a drink. They are meeting places, workspaces, community hubs and safe spaces where friendships are formed and ideas come to life.
We also held our first ‘Cup Tasters’ competition – it was hugely popular and we will be bringing it back again this year.
Looking Ahead – MCF 2025: A Celebration of Taste
Each year, the Maidenhead Coffee Festival has become bigger, better and more ambitious, while staying true to its original purpose.
Now we’re incredibly excited to begin the next chapter in a new home: The Desborough Bowling Club.
This year’s theme is Taste. We will welcome back coffee friends and welcome new roasters and local producers – everything from tea to beer and from gelato to Acai – there will be coffee and lots more to discover.
The hospitality scene in Maidenhead is growing, and we’re fortunate to have an incredible collection of restaurants, coffee shops, pubs and bars right on our doorstep. I wanted this year’s festival to celebrate not only coffee, but the wider food and drink culture that is helping our town thrive.
Sensory experiences have always been one of the most popular parts of the festival, so we’re expanding them even further.
Alongside espresso and latte art workshops and demonstrations, we’ll be going beyond the bean with a series of tastings that showcase outstanding local food and drink. From artisan producers to local beverages, visitors will have the chance to explore their palate, discover new favourites and experience the incredible talent that exists across our local hospitality community.
It’s an opportunity for coffee lovers, foodies and curious newcomers alike to experience the joy of tasting, learning and discovering together.
More Than Just Coffee
Looking back, what stands out most isn’t the venues, the equipment or even the coffee itself.
It’s the people.
The friendships formed, the collaborations sparked, the businesses supported and the conversations started. Coffee has always been the common thread, but community has been the real focus from day one.
What began as an idea to bring local coffee people together has grown into something that connects a much wider network of businesses, hospitality professionals, charities, social enterprises, volunteers and supporters. Every exhibitor, sponsor, speaker, volunteer and visitor has played a role in shaping the festival’s story.
The support we’ve received has continued to grow year after year, and I honestly feel blessed to be part of such an amazing community.
The Maidenhead Coffee Festival has never been just about the coffee.
It’s always been about the connections that happen because of it.
And as we look ahead to the future, that’s what will continue to guide us.
Because great coffee is about much more than what’s in the cup.
It’s about the people you share it with.
See you on 4th October!
Vicky & The Maidenhead Coffee Festival Team