10 Years Brewing: Morning After x Five Senses Coffee
Morning After and Five Senses have shared a deep love of coffee since day one. Over the past decade, the partnership has helped shape Brisbane’s coffee culture—fuelled by a shared commitment to quality, community, and curiosity. To mark Morning After’s 10-year milestone, we sat down with the team from Five Senses to reflect on how it all began, what’s changed, and what the next decade of coffee might look like.
Morning After and Five Senses have worked together since day one. What do you remember about those early conversations?
Jeremy Hulsdunk, Five Senses CCO:
I remember being struck straight away by Yianni’s genuine passion for specialty coffee. At the time, Five Senses was already well established across other states but still growing our presence in Queensland. His enthusiasm and commitment to building a standout coffee program really resonated. Having him on board felt like a natural fit and helped lay strong foundations for our Queensland journey.
Over 10 years, how have you seen Brisbane’s coffee culture evolve, and where does Morning After fit into that story?
Daniel Cezare, Sales & Account Manager QLD:
Brisbane’s coffee scene has evolved enormously over the past decade. When I first arrived almost eight years ago, after working with coffee in Sydney for more than seven years, the city felt much quieter compared to the bigger hubs of Melbourne and Sydney. That’s why Morning After made such an impact. They proudly showcased Five Senses Coffee, offered multiple brew methods, and rotated single origins. It truly felt like an oasis for coffee lovers. It’s no coincidence that many well-known names in the coffee industry today began their journey as baristas at Morning After.
What excites you most about being part of this milestone?
Daniel Cezare:
What excites me most is that the same passion for great coffee, food, and quality service is still so strong in Yianni, Nick, Soula, and Michael. You can genuinely feel that energy flowing through the whole team, with every staff member engaged and committed to it. Whenever our interstate colleagues visit Queensland, we always have to stop by Morning After. Whether it’s breakfast or lunch, we know we’re guaranteed great coffee, delicious food, and even better conversation. Morning After truly represents Five Senses in Brisbane, embodying the essence of specialty coffee through passion, innovation and hospitality that makes people feel genuinely connected.
Looking ahead, what does the next 10 years of coffee culture look like to you — and how will Five Senses play a role?
Jeremy Hulsdunk:
The next decade of coffee culture feels both challenging and exciting. Globally, we are seeing coffee prices at all-time highs and volatility like never before. Despite these pressures, Five Senses can lean on 25 years of experience and long-standing relationships with trusted producers around the world. Most importantly, we remain grounded in our purpose to Impact People Positively through Specialty Coffee. Looking ahead, our path is clear. We will continue to share ethically sourced, high-quality coffee that, above all, tastes absolutely delicious.
Any words you’d like to share with the Morning After team and community as we celebrate this milestone?
Five Senses Coffee Team:
Huge congratulations to the Morning After team and community on this milestone. From the early days of bringing specialty coffee to Brisbane, your passion, care and dedication have made every cup count. Yianni, Nick, Soula, Michael and the whole team have turned Morning After into more than a café. It is a place where people feel inspired, connected and welcomed. Even in today’s challenging coffee market, our shared purpose stays strong: ethically sourcing high-quality coffee that tastes incredible and makes a real difference. Delicious coffee with positive impact. Cheers to that, and to many more cups, moments and memories together.
If you had to describe the Morning After x Five Senses relationship in three words, what would they be?
Daniel Cezare:
Passion. Purpose. Partnership.
How did you approach developing this special anniversary blend for us? What makes it unique?
Daniel Cezare:
Knowing Yianni’s history and passion for specialty coffee, one story always stands out. A customer once asked if anyone had actually added blueberries to their coffee after Yianni described the tasting notes. Of course, no blueberries were added. It was simply the magic of specialty coffee, where careful growing, thoughtful processing and Five Senses’ roasting and brewing expertise come together to create such a vibrant experience. Inspired by that moment, we set out to recreate it by sourcing the right coffees and applying a targeted roast profile with real intentionality.
The anniversary blend brings together three delicious origins, but it is the Anaerobic Natural from Ethiopia’s Guji region that truly captures the magic, with notes of jasmine tea, blueberry and citrus. A vibrant cup to celebrate a decade of coffee, community and collaboration. I have no doubt Yianni and Nick will be hearing that classic question again: “Who put blueberries in my coffee?”
What’s the most surprising or “out there” tasting note you’ve ever come across in coffee?
Daniel Cezare:
Grape Hubba-Bubba Bubble-gum. It was a Single Origin from Brazil, Catuai 99 Varietal Triple Fermented.
If Morning After were a coffee order, what would it be — and why?
Daniel Cezare:
Morning After would be a carefully crafted piccolo with a single origin twist, served alongside a single origin espresso. Smooth, approachable and comforting for everyone who walks in, yet layered with complexity that reflects the team’s passion, attention to detail and love for quality. Just like Morning After itself, it is warm, inviting and leaves a lasting impression every time.
What’s the most underrated element in creating a truly great café coffee experience (beyond the beans)?
Daniel Cezare:
Speaking with genuine passion and knowledge about the coffee being served. It is often the story and the connection that transforms a good cup into a truly memorable experience.
Do you remember your first ever visit to Morning After? Any stand-out memory?
Daniel Cezare:
My first visit was in May 2018, after literally driving around to find a café serving Five Senses Coffee. What stood out most was a staff member enthusiastically walking me through all the coffee options available that day. I ended up having three different coffees: a flat white, an espresso and a pour over.
What’s your go-to breakfast order to pair with a coffee here?
Daniel Cezare:
Trust MA-muffin – Yummm!!!
If you could time-travel back to 2015 and give one piece of advice to your “younger roaster self,” what would it be?
Daniel Cezare:
Trust your instincts, stay curious and never stop experimenting. The world of coffee is full of surprises, and the more open you are to learning and exploring, the more meaningful every cup will be.
What’s the funniest or most unexpected request you’ve had from a café / customer?
Daniel Cezare:
A Long Black with a dash of butter. Totally unexpected. At first I thought, “No way, that’s gross,” but I decided to give it a try and, to my surprise, it was actually pretty good. Definitely not an everyday drink though. My heart, my veins and future Dan will thank me for keeping it as a one-off.
Try the Limited Edition Morning After x Five Senses Anniversary Blend
Crafted to celebrate a decade of coffee, community, and connection, our 10-Year Anniversary Blend is a vibrant cup with notes of jasmine tea, blueberry and citrus—a nod to the moment a guest once asked, “Who put blueberries in my coffee?”
☕ Available now in limited quantities at Morning After and online.