F&B Conference Interpreting: What a 30-Second Cup Taught Us About Craft
Khang Nguyen AKT English Vietnamese Lead interpreter, 25 years in 5000 events
F&B conference interpreting is about more than vocabulary – it means keeping pace with experts who speak, demonstrate and joke at the same time. When AKT Translation interpreted for 2024 World Barista Champion Mikael Jasin in Ho Chi Minh City, a 30-second cup of coffee summed up the whole job: the machine helps, but the craft is human.
Thirty Seconds, Twelve Years in the Making
The cup took 30 seconds. The skill behind it took twelve years. Mikael started in coffee in 2012, entered his first competition in 2014, placed 4th in the world in 2019 and 7th the following season, before finally winning the World Barista Championship in 2024. Watching him swirl, tilt and pour, the effort looked weightless – exactly what thousands of hours of practice look like from the outside.
What Is the World Barista Championship?
The World Barista Championship (WBC) is the world's most prestigious coffee competition for baristas. Competitors typically serve espresso, milk beverages and an original signature beverage to a panel of judges, scored on taste, technique and presentation. Mikael Jasin of Indonesia won the 2024 title against representatives of around 50 countries.
Inside the Booth: Interpreting the Science of Milk
On 30 September 2026, AKT Translation provided English–Vietnamese simultaneous interpreting for Mikael's session as MILKLAB Southeast Asia Ambassador, part of a brand activation in Ho Chi Minh City. According to the 23-page event deck, the talk moved from coffee varieties and post-harvest processing to freeze distillation, cryodesiccation and precise steaming parameters for each plant-based milk:
| Milk | Aeration window | Ideal temperature |
| Almond | 2–3 seconds | 53–55°C |
| Oat | 4–5 seconds | 55–60°C |
| Soy | 3–4 seconds | 50–55°C |
| Coconut | 1–2 seconds | 50–55°C |
| Macadamia | 2–3 seconds | 53–57°C |
Can AI Replace Conference Interpreters?
No – not at specialist events. Technology, including AI, can support the preparation stage. However, like the espresso machine on the counter, AI supports the craft rather than replacing it. When a speaker accelerates, cracks a joke or changes direction mid-sentence, the split-second decision still belongs to an experienced interpreter. Consequently, what clients ultimately rely on is an interpreter who has internalised the skill.
Specialty Coffee Glossary: 4 Terms Interpreters Must Get Right
| Term | Vietnamese | What it means |
| Dialing in | Tinh chỉnh thông số | Adjusting grind size, dose and extraction time until the espresso tastes as |
| Texturing | Tạo kết cấu sữa | Two steaming stages: adding air up to about 40°C, then submerging the wand to heat and polish the milk. |
| Barista milk | Sữa pha chế | Milk with higher protein and fat, built to withstand steam and hold a stable foam. |
| Denature | Biến tính protein | Overheating above 70°C breaks down milk proteins, collapsing foam and dulling flavour; the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) recommends 55–65°C. |
25 Years of F&B Events with AKT Translation
From the Flavors Vietnam 2022 press launch to this specialty coffee workshop, AKT Translation has supported food and beverage events with one rule: learn the client's craft before interpreting it. Furthermore, every project starts with in-depth study of the client's materials and terminology, so that once the booth goes live, the only job left is delivery.
FAQs about F&B Conference Interpreting
How much does conference interpreting cost?
Pricing depends on the interpreting mode (simultaneous or consecutive), duration, language pair, subject complexity and any equipment required. Simultaneous interpreting needs two interpreters per booth for sessions longer than two hours, plus specialised equipment, so it costs more. The fastest way to get an accurate price is to send your agenda and timing to AKT Translation for a tailored quote.
What should I prepare when hiring an interpreter for a workshop or brand event?
Event organisers should send the agenda, slides, MC script and speaker list in advance. A short briefing with the speakers helps align product names and terminology – AKT Translation regularly offers this as a free online session for clients.
Simultaneous or consecutive interpreting: which suits a workshop?
Simultaneous interpreting suits workshops with tight schedules, many international guests and long content, because it does not double the running time. Consecutive interpreting works best for small groups, interactive demonstrations or Q&A, where the speaker can pause after each point. In AKT Translation's experience, many events combine both.
Planning an F&B workshop, conference or brand activation in Vietnam?
AKT Translation
- Advice on the right interpreting mode
- Professional interpreting equipment
- Experienced interpreters in specialty coffee, food & beverage and FMCG
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