A Robot Gave Me Ice Cream at CoffeeFest NYC

This is a recap of CoffeeFest NYC 2026, a specialty coffee expo for entrepreneurs, buyers and investors at the Javits Center in New York City.

How to pre-game for CoffeeFest NYC

The night before CoffeeFest NYC, the founders of Ghost Town Oats premium oat milk, Michelle R. Johnson-Strickland and Padmore’s cafe (@padmores.nyc), Jahmal Padmore, co-hosted a dominoes tournament in Brooklyn.

I’ve never played it and didn’t know anyone there.

But I met lots of people, some in the food & beverage industry and others who are regulars at Padmore’s.

And I know how to play dominoes now!

Well, kinda.

I’m just here for the matcha

I know it’s called CoffeeFest but my focus wasn’t on coffee.

Matcha, though? You have my attention.

I was pretty excited to learn how entrepreneurs are meeting, or trying to meet, the huge demand for matcha green tea that has exploded in the last few years.

Cuzen Matcha has a line of machines that grind and whisk matcha and hojicha leaves.

The smaller machine on the left is for personal at-home use while the larger one (center), you’ll find at commercial businesses like cafes and hotels.

How do matcha purists think of this technology and does it have a place in their matcha-making ritual?

Cuzen Matcha is on my radar now and I’m looking forward to learning more about them.

Next, I stopped by Hario‘s booth and noted this ceremonial matcha set.

They sell commercial and retail equipment and accessories for making coffee and tea.

I have my eye on a cold brew pitcher which I’ll use with the herbs, berries and edible flowers I’m growing this year.

And another mention of Ghost Town Oats, because I saw these pink cartons everywhere!

Xbot Robot serves ice cream

In less than a minute, the Xbot robotic arm picks up a cup of soft serve from the dispenser in the back of the machine and moves the cup to the front of the machine for you to grab.

There’s also a coffee version of this AI-powered robot called the Xbot Coffee Robot.

As someone who has seen genuine use cases for robotics in the food & beverage space, I still have a lot to learn about how these products are built, their audiences and how they are solving problems.

Or if they’re solving problems.

Would I go back to CoffeeFest NYC?

Sure, but the next time I go, I’d shift my focus to finding and/or getting invites to the events outside of CoffeeFest NYC.

Like the dominoes tournament that I didn’t win. 

I’m considering going to the Chicago one.

In theory, I’d love to attend CoffeeFest LA, but since I don’t really like LA, I don’t see that happening.

If you’re planning events around any of the CoffeeFest events this year and for next year, I’d love to hear about them.

Email me: hey [AT] mercedesgosby [DOT] com.

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