Kerry Laird

Walnut Creek & Berkeley, CA

United States

Profile Information:

What is your position in the coffee industry?
coffee shop owner, coffee roaster, coffee enthusiast, industry professional, consultant
Where are you located? ( City and Country )
Walnut Creek & Berkeley, CA
How many years have you been in the industry?
5
If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?
maybe
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?
I'll go anywhere! Unfortunately I likely wouldn't be the one doing the exchange - John or one of our experienced baristas would get to do the traveling - unless help is needed with planning a barista compeition! However, I do plan to start visiting origin in the near future and always love checking out cafes throughout any travel I do.
About Me:
Entrepreneur and First Lady of Pacific Bay Coffee Co. & Micro-Roastery in Walnut Creek & Berkeley, CA. .I collect photos of customers holding bags of their coffee beans all over the world. Want to be an full time artist when I grow up. In the meantime I'm available for consulting work planning barista competitions and special events for the coffee industry, especially if it includes travel to origin.
About My Company:
Our roastmaster and my husband, John Laird and I opened Pacific Bay Coffee Co & Micro-Roastery in Walnut Creek, CA in Feb. 2004 after our final desicision of not wanting to look back in 20 years and say "what if we had tried...".

Our journey as a independent cafe and roastery has been a good one, with challenges and bumps along the road but with much satisfaction in know ing region now has access to wonderful coffee beans and beverages.

We are now embarking on opening a wholesale roastery and training center in Berkeley, CA. and will be hosting the Western Regional Barista Competition March 28-30, 2008 in Berkeley. I am also on the 2008 SCAA Conference planning committee and enjoy meeting getting to know the people who make up the specialty coffee community.
Website:
http://pacificbaycoffee.com

Comment Wall:

  • Gabe

    good luck in Berkeley!!!

    Jan 8, 2008

  • Kerry Laird

    Thanks Gabe

    Jan 12, 2008

  • Heather BK

    Hi

    Jan 15, 2008

  • Tony Serrano

    You know we can't wait, Kerry. thank you and drop Monica and I a line if there is anything that we can do to help.

    Feb 2, 2008

  • Max Bobrenev

    Hi! I find you by links (from coffeegeek to smth & etc.). And i think that its interesting)))))))))))))

    Feb 6, 2008

  • James

    I'm an editor.

    Feb 6, 2008

  • Heather BK

    Hello from Nicaragua! Got to visit our first coffee farm this past weekend www.fincajava.com . They are working with Simas and Byron Corrales and have just received their organic certification. Seeing all the steps they have taken to sustain the farm and the Nicas is very inspiring! Can't wait to share the stories and photos with you! I've also got some green beans for John to roast up! Talk to you soon!

    Feb 6, 2008

  • Jessie D

    Hello
    I heard that it is best to just do the paypal thing but I'm not sure. I haven't done much with it yet.

    Feb 6, 2008

  • Nick Griffith

    Hey Kerry,
    Thanks for the warm welcome. It's good to be here.
    Take Care,
    Nick

    Feb 7, 2008

  • Rafael Palomino

    Yes! I will be out there at least one day, and one of our baristas MIGHT compete. I'd love to help out if I'm there long enough.

    Feb 7, 2008

  • María Guðrún Nolan

    Hiya Kerry. I found about this webside through a friend of mine here in Iceland :-) I've been reading about our work....wwhhaaa this must be fantastic !!! Good luck

    Feb 7, 2008

  • Fede Cabrera

    Hey Kerry,

    Thanks for your prompt response. I sent you an email ... I hope you find it interesting.

    Best regards,
    Federico

    Feb 10, 2008

  • Ed Whitman

    Hi Kerry, I am already hearing back from friends and family about Baristas for Bikes/ Bikes to Rwanda.

    Feb 23, 2008

  • Ed Whitman

    Yeah, it's me. Looking forward to meeting you.

    Feb 23, 2008

  • Hugh Mooney

    Kerry; Thanks, it's great to be here. I don't think I'm quite ready for the WRBC yet. After I get a bit more experience under my belt checking out some competitions might be fun. Sounds like your're right next door.

    Feb 26, 2008

  • Chuck Jones

    hi kerry, i'm planning to come to the WRBC with some staff and customers... motorhome from socal... roadtrip babay!... i couldn't find and registration deadlines... can you help me out here? thanks

    Mar 11, 2008

  • Clint Slagle

    Thank you Kerry for hosting this year. I was really happy to be apart of the event.

    Mar 30, 2008

  • Tina Muia

    You guys did a really nice job at the wrbc2008.

    Mar 31, 2008

  • Matt

    another congratulations on an awesome event! great work...

    Mar 31, 2008

  • Nick Cho

    Hey Kerry. Nice profile pic today. :-)

    Heard great things about this past weekend! See ya soon!

    Apr 1, 2008

  • Ted Stachura

    Good to meet you too Kerry. I'd like to check out your roasting facility sometime... maybe cup some coffee. Let me know.

    Apr 1, 2008

  • The Barista Formerly Known As JavaJ

    Kerry, OUTSTANDING job. Thanks again.

    Apr 4, 2008

  • fern

    Hey there how are you?
    Did you ever eat that sandwich Kayd saved for you?

    Apr 8, 2008

  • KATHERINE LEE

    hello kerry...

    Jun 7, 2008

  • Adrian Badger

    Hi Kerry! How on earth did you find me on here so quickly?!?!?! :)
    I look forward to arranging a cupping with you very soon... perhaps this week? - Adrian.

    Jun 22, 2008

  • Sean Hennessy

    Hi Kerry! Not a problem at all. Where in New Zealand will you be visiting? Regards.

    Sep 5, 2008

  • Hans Pronk

    Hi Kerry, flick me a message closer to when you leave and let me know where you'll be heading, there are a number of good spots around.

    Sep 5, 2008

  • Claire Matheson-Jones

    Yay, I'd love to point you in the right direction if I can. Where are you going to be and for how long? xx

    Sep 6, 2008

  • Paul Hudson

    Hi Kerry. From the comments it looks like you are coming over to New Zealand. Wellington has some fantastic local roasters that produce great coffee. If you are coming through Wellington I can show you some favorites of mine.

    Sep 7, 2008

  • Hans Pronk

    Are you thinking places in general or specific coffee interests?

    Sep 7, 2008

  • Paul Hudson

    My favorite coffee joints in Wellington are Peoples Coffee http://www.peoplescoffee.co.nz and Fidels Cafe http://www.fidelscafe.com serving Havana Coffee http://www.havana.co.nz

    Sep 9, 2008

  • Alun Evans

    Hey Kerry, good luck with the trip to NZ. I am sure the 8 or 9 kiwis on BX will look after you while you are down there. I agree with Paul on the Wellington Scene, although if you are interested in the roasting scene you should certainly try and include Wellys first specialty roaster- L'affare and probably also Supreme and maybe Revive in Petone.

    Sep 24, 2008