barista, barista trainer, coffee enthusiast, industry professional
Where are you located? ( City and Country )
Los Angeles, California
How many years have you been in the industry?
almost 5yrs.
If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?
maybe
Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills.
I got my "third wave" barista start at Espresso Vivace where I created the foundation for my love of the game for about 3 years. I have been in the coffee industry atmosphere for a total of 6-7 years. I don't really rely on what I learned at the big corps though. My real education started when I began working with people who are serving the finest on a daily basis.
I now work for Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea in Los Angeles. We'll be starting a Venice Intelligentsia where people can come and really geek out about coffee to the fullest!
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?
Any spanish speaking country. Italy, England, France, Germany, Ethiopia, South Africa, Brazil, to name a few.
About Me:
When I was 15 my mother saved my life by moving me to Seattle from New York City. Escaping mediocrity. Always wanting to move me somewhere better than we were before. I moved around alot when I was younger. Up and down the northeast along with some time with my father in Florida, until we came to the Emerald City where she provided a fresh start for us. Where I live happily and thankful for the courage of my mom. I am me because of her. I aspire to be an urban renaissance man so I have my hands in a little of everything. Baseball, football, acting/singing, drawing, sculpting, name it and I'll try it atleast once.
About My Company:
Working for Espresso Vivace in Seattle, WA. I got to learn an approach to being a Professional Barista along with one of the most nurturing, diverse, dedicated, talented, and hardworking group of people ever assembled in one place. Some of the photos you see are drinks I served to customers daily at Espresso Vivace Roasteria and Alley 24. I usually just had my cell phone on me but, once in a while I had my digi to snap a quality pic.
I now attend the University of Intelligentsia. My latest photos will chronicle my new endeavor to really pursue coffee on an academic level. I love my job!
What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?
I love what I do. You would have never convinced me a few years ago that a puerto rican kid from Far Rockaway Queens, NY. Which is about as far away from any sort of coffee culture you could get, would be doing what I'm doing right now. I have been blessed to find a job with amazing balance between skill and art. This job saved my life.
Wow that's impressive! Well hopefully I'll get learn as quickly as you did. The coffeeshop is in the city of Bellflower and if you ever come to cali you're welcomed to visit.
hey
my travel starts again. im in santa monica
and heading to central, south america.
study hard about spanish ... stay cool
i hope we'll see again then speak spanish and enjoy coffee which you make
You made my espresso last time i was in the shop. Thanks, it was just right for the trip back to Wenatchee. Feel free to drop in if you ever travel through.
Hi!! it was nice to see you here too. I miss you too. We (the Team) wonder how are you doing. We always think about you.
I am always in motion. Sometimes I would like to have a quiet time, at least two days in a row!!
Your friendship is very important to me. Take care and God Bless you,
Best Regards,
Enid
Ok, Impressed before...Now blown away!Thanks for the direct to your flickr stuff.And the reggae festival looked like a lot of fun! Blessings and hope to meet you at coffeefest! Got to drink your Spro!
Thanks for your reply! I'll stay in seattle from the afternoon of 11th to 14th.
12&13, I plan to attend coffeefest and I'll compete Millrock on Saturday.
I just heard the podcast and I am glad you have had a chance to use the Aurelia. We get mixed reviews on the latte art steam tips. Some people say they are too slow and don't have enough pressure. Other swear by them. We are considering going back to tip with a little more push. How did you find it? We have a working showroom in Seattle where you can practice. Roberto Bresciani.
Just attended ABC where Matt M was the instructor and I must say i have so much to look forward too...your latte art is rediculous!!! I look forwad to having as much passion for this as you do....nice podcast! Hope to see you at CF next week!
Chris it was great to hear you on the first ever BE podcast! Sounded great. Your passion for coffee is infectious. Next time your on the Island it would be a pleasure to have you visit us... or maybe we'll see you in Atlanta! Keep on Keepin oN.
first visit was march, 2006, I was lucky enough to talk to Mr. Schomer for a few minutes and he completely changed my mind about the state of coffee. My last visit was august, 2007 and it had only gotten better.
oh dude i'm really looking forward to going back. especially now that i have picked up a few things on my road to furthering my coffee knowledge.. i'm selling my donut shop and when it finalizes i will be taking a trip up there first thing! i remember the doppio ristretto being like motor oil at vivace, and i still have not been able to find or replicate the true essence of coffee that it was
cool thanks for the feedback on our little bar. Question... which PR coffees did you get to work with? Which did you like best? We have a few but would like to add more to our menu. thnx in advance.
I have to say your practice shots on flickr with the Nuova are to good!! maybe we can skip the formality and just give you the check...Are you sure Brian Jackson didn't pour those...Just Jokin'! Its going to be a blast to pour some and see others doing the same. I just hope I don't choke!!!
You don't have to submit three...and you'd be suprised how quick you can throw some drinks up there! And we've got five to warm up and set the grind for our turn.I can pour latte art,.. but in an place with a ton of people watching to see if I mess up or do well?! shot I'll be glad if i don't pass out or shake the art out on to the counter! Bringing your own plain cups is new to me. I figure pull in to two 6 or 8's twice given you four chances,..steam and spilt and walk off drinking one you didn't like the art on...then pour a little out for the hommies! ok maybe not that last part.
do you think vivace would wholesale their espresso for my cafes in Houston? I am having trouble recreating the flavor and texture I got from the espresso at Vivace. Once I had it I have not been pleased with anything down here in Houston since. I know its quite expensive buying it from in small order but what if i order weekly? just some thoughts i had cause i miss the espresso!!! if i could serve this bean to my customers here in houston they would go wild.
The show room is 115 1st avenue south in SODO. there is one tip I would need to have delivered form our hq in Bellingham. It would be the high powered straight shooter. they have the reduced flow latte art tip that you maybe tried at the school and the standard high power with wider fan. they dont open until 9 am so it may work out. My cell # is 360 201 2494 so let me know. the rest of the week is open also but the comp is fast approaching.
thanks for the info. I'm shooting for thanksgiving week to visit vivace again. im in the process of selling one of the stores so i can free up some time. I am really interested in taking espresso to the next level and need to learn as much as possible!
Thanks for the comment.....I'm opening a coffee, food and wine bar. THe core is coffee, however with the location I have (great one) I need to have other revenue angles to survive...ie wine/food. I'll be open in November however I'll be at CF this week so hopefully I can get a chance to meet you. Will you be competeing??]
Complete pleasure meeting you at Victrolas tonight! Thanks for the kind words of encouragement; I can't wait to get back into the shop to work on my own pours. It was totally a great time.
I was only able to make it up for the smackdown, but that in itself was a truly amazing experience. Everybody was wonderful; you just can't beat the coffee community, not a chance! I'll definately be stopping by Vivace in the upcoming week or so, hope to see you there.
We had a lot of fun with you at our cafe on Thursday, thanks for taking the time to cross the street and visit with us! Your latte art was as charismatic as you were! Your welcome any time!!!
Hey Nicely,
Pure pleasure to meet ya this weekend. You got some mad game son! I told Terry Z to put that bat order in for ya. Hopefully it wont be too long before we can chill.
-Benza
Nicely.... jumping up the ranks. I like you, partner. You're a breath of fresh air up in here. I hope Espresso Parts gets that Bat and ball set for PF and tamp done right away. peace...Serrano
Loren Anthony
Mar 26, 2008
*Greysi*
Apr 9, 2008
Gunnsa
Apr 12, 2008
*Greysi*
Apr 18, 2008
Banana Dang
Apr 23, 2008
Alex T. Fernandez
May 9, 2008
Nick
Jul 17, 2008
Nick
how are you?
i wil wait for your movie~~
hahahaha
really expect!!
Jul 20, 2008
sunny cho
do you remember me??
good to see ya
Jul 27, 2008
Nick
how are you?
is everythig good??
hahahaha
when i see your video??
tried many times your style.
but i'm faild.
please help me
Jul 29, 2008
Sarah Dooley
Jul 29, 2008
Nick
i think U're the best.
wow..
really amaging!
i saw latte art's another world in your cups
please teach me your know-how~~
hahaha
thank you dude~
p.s i love baseball
hahahaha
Korean Baseball is fun!
hahahaha
what is your favorit team?
Jul 30, 2008
Nick
i really feel so good~
about had good barista friend!
(sorry my english is not good.)
ok
i will upload my video this site.
please advice me.
you're NYY huge FAN~!!!
hahahaha
i know that team.
i think really strong team in MLB.
good~
my favorite korean team name is "KIA tigers"hahahaha
i love baseball until 15years~
i'm huge fan of KIA!!
Jul 30, 2008
Nick
what a great!!
you are really awsome!!!
Aug 3, 2008
sunny cho
my travel starts again. im in santa monica
and heading to central, south america.
study hard about spanish ... stay cool
i hope we'll see again then speak spanish and enjoy coffee which you make
Aug 15, 2008
Matt Milletto
Aug 19, 2008
Darren Reynolds
You made my espresso last time i was in the shop. Thanks, it was just right for the trip back to Wenatchee. Feel free to drop in if you ever travel through.
Darren
Aug 20, 2008
Lacey
Aug 21, 2008
Mike
Aug 25, 2008
Jeremy Clouser
Aug 25, 2008
Enid Guerra
I am always in motion. Sometimes I would like to have a quiet time, at least two days in a row!!
Your friendship is very important to me. Take care and God Bless you,
Best Regards,
Enid
Aug 25, 2008
Mike
Aug 25, 2008
Masa Onishi
Next September, I'll go Seattle ,so I'm want to see you and watch your latteart at Vivace!
Aug 27, 2008
Masa Onishi
12&13, I plan to attend coffeefest and I'll compete Millrock on Saturday.
Aug 27, 2008
Sarah
Sep 2, 2008
Sarah
Sep 2, 2008
Greenway Barista
Sep 2, 2008
Nuova Simonelli
I just heard the podcast and I am glad you have had a chance to use the Aurelia. We get mixed reviews on the latte art steam tips. Some people say they are too slow and don't have enough pressure. Other swear by them. We are considering going back to tip with a little more push. How did you find it? We have a working showroom in Seattle where you can practice. Roberto Bresciani.
Sep 2, 2008
Steve
Sep 2, 2008
Banana Dang
Sep 3, 2008
Greenway Barista
Sep 3, 2008
Greenway Barista
Sep 3, 2008
Greenway Barista
Sep 3, 2008
Banana Dang
Sep 3, 2008
Mike
Sep 3, 2008
Mike
Sep 3, 2008
Greenway Barista
Sep 6, 2008
Nuova Simonelli
How is your schedule on Monday. I would like to have you try our a few different steam tips before the latte art comp.
Sep 6, 2008
Nuova Simonelli
Sep 6, 2008
Greenway Barista
Sep 6, 2008
Alex Negranza
Sep 7, 2008
Nick
how are you?
i saw your comment~
Thank you!
that is real high praise
hahaha
Sep 7, 2008
Steve
Sep 8, 2008
David Sierra
Sep 13, 2008
Mike Cannon
Sep 14, 2008
Mike Cannon
Sep 15, 2008
Sarah Dooley
Sep 16, 2008
Benza Lance
Pure pleasure to meet ya this weekend. You got some mad game son! I told Terry Z to put that bat order in for ya. Hopefully it wont be too long before we can chill.
-Benza
Sep 17, 2008
Tony Serrano
Sep 19, 2008