Barista Exchange
Sheri Merdes
Female
Fairbanks, AK
United States
Profile Information:
- What is your position in the coffee industry?
- barista, coffee shop owner, coffee enthusiast
- Where are you located? ( City and Country )
- United States
- How many years have you been in the industry?
- 1
- If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?
- yes
- Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills.
- Take 5 Coffee Lounge is a cozy shop within The Artisan's Courtyard - a large community center I built for art. My daughter, Kelsey, and I own Take 5. I'm new to this industry, having spent the bulk of my life as Mom, paralegal and operating non profit dance schools. So I'm learning, fast! Fairbanks, Alaska is unique in location, climate and the level of sophistication in art we have here. Take 5 was designed to compliment the numerous other art forms that occur every day at the Courtyard. Our food is homemade, "Grandma's" with a touch of elegance - most of our menu features family recipes. The shop decor is old Hollywood. We are the first and only shop in AK to be trained through American Barista & Coffee School - our whole staff! Thanks Jared!!! We'd love to share the experience of AK with baristas.
- What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?
- I am an avid traveler and love discovering new cultures, concepts and places. That said, I'll go anywhere!
- About Me:
- I'm 52, mother of 4, grandmother of 1 and widowed 5 years ago. I've been active in the performing arts since childhood in drama and dance. As I aged, performing and teaching evolved into daily operations as Executive Director. I also am Artistic Director of Dance for Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. Food is art to me and since I've long enjoyed the nuance of coffees, it was natural for me to explore this art form as well. I'd describe my self as adventurous. I scuba dive, love to travel, am a pilot, look for ways to provide opportunities for others to discover their strengths, and am passionate about integrity in myself and others.
- About My Company:
- Take 5 Coffee Lounge is a family business in many ways. Owned by my daughter and I, managed by a niece, and staffed by a son and other 6 baristas who are like family. We believe in each employee and enjoy seeing them succeed. For the most part, all of us are new to this business - and we're all enthusiastic and hungry for information, education and application.
- What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?
- The depth of relationships with others - customers, baristas, consultants, it doesn't matter - there is a refreshing difference in communication and teamwork in coffee.
- Website:
- http://www.myspace.com/aksunrise
Steve MacDowall
Dec 3, 2008
Matt Milletto
Dec 3, 2008
Jared Mockli
I had a great time in Fairbanks... You have a great Coffeehouse and a great staff!
Dec 3, 2008
Steve MacDowall
Dec 4, 2008
Alun Evans
Dec 5, 2008
Brianna
Dec 5, 2008
Jared Mockli
Having smaller diameter holes in the tips of your steam wands would slow down the release of pressure and aid in the development of micro-foam. It will slow down the overall time that it takes to steam the same volume of milk, however. As for your gauge, I seriously doubt that there is anything wrong with what it is reading. If your water mains are giving you problems, that would definitely be manifesting the pressure fluctuations on your dual monometer. If the pressure has been set to 9 bars as the espresso is extracting and you still continue to see fluctuations in pressure you may want to look into installing an expansion bladder in front of the machine to help to stabilize this. I don't think this should be too expensive... probably about $200 for the tank, and will install pretty easily.
Dec 8, 2008
Jared Mockli
It's been really cold down in the NW lately! We even have some snow that has been lingering for a few days... I guess a little piece of AK must have come back with me :)
Dec 16, 2008
Travis Smith
Dec 17, 2008