We immersed ourselves in Manchester’s vibrant coffee culture at the inaugural Slurp Fest, an innovative event organized by locals.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Photos courtesy of Steffi Njoya
On November 13-15, Manchester, U.K., played host to the very first Slurp Fest: a dynamic coffee festival designed to celebrate the city’s vibrant coffee culture and the hardworking individuals behind it. The event was organized by Nat McDonald, owner of Atrium Coffee, and Oatly UK barista market developer and coffee festival specialist, Laura Chamberlain, and it came to life in response to the closure of the Manchester Coffee Festival.
The innovative festival not only showcased the city’s exceptional independent coffee shops but also fostered community spirit through various events, competitions, and a special Coffee Trail, a mapped-out journey throughout the city with stops at over 20 cafés.
The Birth of Slurp Fest
The story of Slurp Fest began amidst uncertainty. When the Manchester Coffee Festival went into liquidation in June of 2024, it left a gaping hole in the city’s coffee community. Recognizing the impact this had on local businesses, Nat and Laura decided to create an alternative celebration. “We wanted to find a (different) way to bring the community together and showcase what our wonderful city has to offer. Slurp Fest was born,“ says Nat.
Shortly after, the Manchester Coffee Festival was taken over by another organizer, allowing it to continue despite the initial setback. However, Nat and Laura emphasized that they did not aim to replace the festival, but rather offer something distinct. “It was a chance for us to roll out something slightly different that benefited the cafés and the people who would usually exhibit at those trade-show style events,“ Laura says.
Nat and Laura’s goal was clear: to create an inclusive environment where both coffee enthusiasts and casual drinkers could experience the best of Manchester’s coffee scene, gaining a fresh perspective alongside the traditionally structured festival.
A Festival Full of Flavor and Fun
This year’s Slurp Fest boasted an exciting itinerary filled with daytime events, workshops, tastings, and the much-anticipated Coffee Trail. Participants collected stamps from various participating coffee shops, culminating in a raffle for special prizes.
“We had over 60 shops on our initial list but narrowed it down to 20 after my wife sensibly pointed out that the city’s (emergency) departments would not appreciate a sudden surge in heart palpitations and insomnia!“ Nat jokes.
Throughout the festival, there were free roasting workshops facilitated by local coffee roasters, as well as coffee tastings packed full of eager attendees. “We ran with the idea that the Coffee Trail would run during the day, giving people a chance to get out and explore the scene,“ says Laura. “By the end of the trail, they could unwind at the evening events, enjoying good food, drink, and community.“
The Standout Events
One of the festival’s main highlights was the launch party, which Laura described as having “so much hype around it“ that they had to extend entry tickets online twice due to overwhelming demand.
The celebration featured an array of local culinary talents and crafted beverages, accompanied by tunes from a local DJ collective, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. The festival also hosted the very first brewing competition, in addition to a lively latte art throwdown set in an art studio.
Nat shared the excitement, saying, “It was such a cool venue to set the scene for what was another incredible event!“ Both organizers emphasize that these events fostered a sense of community, drawing participants from various backgrounds, including newcomers to the competition scene.
The Future of Slurp Fest
One of the most gratifying aspects of Slurp Fest was the positive feedback from attendees. Many participants shared that, through the event, they discovered coffee shops they had never heard of before.
“The trail gave people incentives to try something new in their neighborhood (and) explore new parts of Manchester,“ Nat says, highlighting the festival’s role in helping local cafés gain visibility.
“The feedback from the businesses was overwhelmingly positive, with many already asking how to be involved again next year!” says Laura.
The festival’s organizers were pleased to see that the event encouraged participants from both the industry and the general public to engage in the local coffee scene. “There were many people competing for the first time, which really shows how accessible and inclusive the vibe was,” says Nat.
With such a successful inaugural event, there are already plans in motion for future Slurp Fests, in 2025 and beyond. Both Nat and Laura envision the festival expanding to other cities, with the idea of bringing even more coffee enthusiasts together. “There is a place for Slurp Fest in every city,” Nat says with enthusiasm.
Laura adds, “It’s about celebrating and collaborating with coffee communities that already exist and encouraging (locals) to visit (new) cafés.”
Continuing the Spirit of Community
The message from Slurp Fest resonates beyond the festival dates, emphasizing the importance of supporting local coffee shops all year long. “It’s a tough time to be an independent business, but we hope that by encouraging the public to ‘slurp local,’ we can keep many more of our awesome shops open for many years to come,” Nat says passionately.
Looking forward, Nat and Laura urge everyone to stay involved with Manchester’s coffee scene, whether by visiting local cafés or following festival updates. ”Keep supporting local! Coffee shops offer a space for people to gather, and that community aspect is so important,” Nat says, encapsulating the enduring spirit of connection that Slurp Fest aims to foster.
As the steam settles from this year’s festival, the anticipation grows for what the future holds for Slurp Fest and the communities it uplifts.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior online correspondent for Barista Magazine and a freelance copywriter and editor with a primary focus on the coffee niche. She has also been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, providing content to help educate people about baristas and their work.
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