Some people plan their way into the coffee industry. Others get pulled in by something they can’t ignore.
The founder of Tamp & Grind Specialty Coffee spent nearly 20 years as a firefighter — serving across West Sussex, Hampshire and finally London Fire Brigade. It wasn’t the plan to leave. But passion has a way of rewriting those.
Starting with a Tuktuk
Tamp & Grind began with a single Tuktuk — a mobile setup that became the foundation for everything that followed. No premises. No passing footfall. Just a commitment to quality and the kind of word-of-mouth reputation that takes time and consistency to build.
“I wish I’d started sooner,” the founder told us. “If I had, I’d be so much further forward. But it wasn’t the plan — I wanted to stay in my career. My passion for coffee changed that.”
Two Concepts, One Vision
The Tuktuk is still going. Alongside it, a new pop-up concept — a trolley operating inside a wine bar each morning — has added a second string to the bow. It’s a considered move: the kind of creative use of space that independent operators do better than anyone.
The Equipment
To deliver the consistency their reputation depends on, Tamp & Grind run a Mahlkönig E65S GBW — a grind-by-weight setup that removes the variables. It’s not kit chosen for show. It’s chosen because it works.
The Team
Building a great coffee operation is one thing. Building a great team is harder. The challenge, as the founder puts it, is finding people who are both “super passionate about coffee” and “amazingly friendly and hospitable to customers.”
That combination is rare. But at Tamp & Grind, they’ve found it. The team is, by their own admission, incredible.
What This Looks Like in Practice
At All Things Coffee, we work with independent operators at every stage — from first setup to scaling operations. What the Tamp & Grind story reflects is something we see time and again: the willingness to back yourself, stay in it, and keep the quality standard non-negotiable.
If you’re thinking about setting up a coffee operation — mobile, pop-up or permanent — and want to talk through your options, we’re here.