our STORY
Mobile Coffee Catering was actually not the original plan when Elliot Lewkow moved his family from Los Angeles to the suburbs of Detroit. The original business model was selling espresso machines and coffee products to restaurants that did not offer specialty coffee drinks. Keep in mind, this was 1993, before “cappuccinos” and “lattes” had hit the mainstream.
After about 6 months in the machine sales business, a Detroit-area party planner asked us to set up a “gourmet coffee station” at a high-end event at a suburban country club. There was hesitancy at first, but we agreed to give it a try… The reaction of the guests and seeing how they were naturally drawn to the cart was incredible and it was decided that this would be the new direction of the business - offering coffee carts for events.
After almost 30 years in business the company has evolved significantly with more efficient equipment, refined presentation, and top quality products used to craft every drink we serve.
Today,Cappuccino Man serves at over 1500 events per year in Los Angeles and Detroit including weddings, birthdays, trade shows, productions, corporate, holiday, school, and other private events.
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED
ELLIOT LEWKOW
Elliot is the founder and owner of Cappuccino Man who pioneered the "coffeehouse on wheels" concept after moving from California to Michigan in 1992. The original concept was to sell steamer machines married to a cold brew espresso. Soon thereafter, a catering opportunity arose and Cappuccino Man was born. He is proud that after 25 years business is booming. Elliot doesn’t work behind the cart as much anymore but feels confident about the future as daughter, Sarah and son-in-law, Luis assume leadership of the company.
GAYLE LEWKOW
After “retiring” from over 40 years working in the radio sales business, Gayle joined the team in 2018 as the full-time administrative manager for CappMan, Michigan.
At any given time of the day or day of the week she can be found behind the computer screen drafting quotes for clients, doing follow-ups, confirmations, running charges and running the entire back-end of the business. She has also been known to hop behind the cart at events when necessary and can actually throw down some pretty impressive latte art!
NOAH LEWKOW
Elliot and Gayle’s son, Noah moved to LA from the suburbs of Detroit in 2003 to pursue a career in the skateboarding industry while finishing his college education. In 2013, while managing a skateboard shop in Venice Beach he decided to launch Cappuccino Man, California as a side gig.
The demand for espresso carts at special events was more than he had anticipated and it quickly became a full-time job.
The company has now served at over 5,000 different events in the Southern California over the past 10 years with 8 carts, 7 vehicles, and 25 total employees.
SARAH LEWKOW
Sarah Lewkow started working behind the cart on a step stool at the age of 10. Throughout college Sarah sharpened her barista skills while working at Biggby Coffee in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Sarah also spent 5 years crafting espresso drinks at Plum Market in the Zingerman's Cafe in West Bloomfield, Michigan. After receiving a bachelors degree from Western Michigan University, she became Co-Owner and General Manager of Cappuccino Man Michigan.
Luis E. krebs
Born in the suburbs of Chicago but raised in the beaches of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Luis is a multi-cultural and mixed ethnic barista who lived in Mexico City for several years before coming back to the Midwest in 2015. He is an avid coffee drinker who appreciates quality, however, growing up in a touristic destination planted in him an even deeper appreciation for the joy and good memories that a great service can provide and he strives to transmit this feeling to all customers.
He joined the CappMan team in 2019 and took the position of Warehouse Manager and Coffee Stencil Designer/Manufacturer in 2021. He officially joined the family when he married Sarah in 2024.
