Our Story
PIONEERING THE COFFEE CATERING INDUSTRY
What started as a move from Los Angeles to Detroit in 1993 unexpectedly became the beginning of a new kind of event experience.
When Elliot Lewkow moved his family to the Detroit suburbs, the original plan was not to start a coffee catering company. His vision was to sell espresso machines and specialty coffee products to restaurants that wanted to offer something beyond traditional coffee.
At the time, specialty coffee was still relatively new. This was 1993—before coffee bars were on every corner and before “café latte” was a familiar phrase to most people.
Then, about six months into the business, a Detroit-area party planner approached Elliot with an unusual request: Would he bring one of his espresso machines to a high-end event at a suburban country club and create a “gourmet coffee station”?
There was some hesitation, but Elliot decided to give it a try.
The response was immediate.
Guests were naturally drawn to the coffee cart, fascinated by the European-style espresso drinks being crafted right in front of them. The experience was something new—and guests loved it.
It quickly became clear that Elliot had discovered something special. What began as a one-time experiment evolved into an entirely new direction for the business. And along the way, Elliot earned a new name: Cappuccino Man.
More than 30 years later, that original vision has grown into one of the country’s leading mobile coffee catering companies.
While the industry has changed dramatically, our commitment to creating an exceptional coffee experience has remained the same. Today, Cappuccino Man combines premium ingredients, expertly crafted espresso drinks, professional baristas, beautiful presentation, and streamlined mobile equipment to bring a true café experience directly to our clients and their guests.
Today, Cappuccino Man serves more than 1,800 events every year throughout Los Angeles and Detroit—from weddings and corporate events to trade shows, productions, birthdays, schools, holiday celebrations, and private gatherings.
From one coffee cart in 1993 to thousands of events each year, we’re proud to have helped pioneer the mobile coffee catering industry—and we’re still bringing the experience to life, one cup at a time.
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.
