Gregory Kolsto? THE Gregory Kolsto??? Of course I know him. I worked under him at Krispy Kreme. I was trying to learn the roasting side of coffee. If there's anyone I greatly respect in this industry, it's Gregory. I wouldn't have the passion about coffee I have now if it weren't from catching it from him. I remember the first time I met him, the passion he had for coffee almost brought me to tears. He's a true asset to our industry, and am sure he's doing good things over there at Parisi. (And the guy rock climbs like it's nobody's business.)

Yes, grk, as he calls himself. And the beard thing, it comes and goes like the seasons, and sometimes, WITH the seasons. It's tricky trying to nail that guy down. He is a great coffee guy, though, and someone I look up to. Cheers. (Hey, wait, grk says that....)

Thanks for the invite, sister Hon. I am very happy and blessed to know you. I think that box of wine and Duckworth combination should be served up soon...

much love from up north...

Hey, love this, THX for the Add!

Peace.

hi. i'm here.

ugh! fine. how about this one?.. mmhmm.

All the cool people are joining my new group: Midwest Region Coffee Nerds....

Sandy, it was so good to meet you. Thanks for sanctioning our little Jam. I hope all is well on campus for you. By the way, I am still full.

I'm sorry to say Minneapolis is outside of our shipping area, therefore not on our schedule of events. Oh well, there will be others.

explain to me why you joined the roasters guild and not the Barista Guild group.
??????????????????????????????????????????

Starbucks bought out clover! (And they'll be rolling out a new espresso machine --still automated-- and a new loyalty program). But they bought out Clover!!!!

I'm constipated!



Thursday, March 20, 2008 - Page updated at 12:00 AM


Buying Clover: Starbucks plans to buy Ballard-based Coffee Equipment Co., maker of the highly regarded Clover single-cup brewer.

Customer-loyalty program: Beginning in April, registered Starbucks Card customers get certain syrups and milk alternatives free, so that a tall vanilla soy latte will cost the same as a plain tall latte. They also will receive a free tall beverage each time they buy a pound of whole-bean coffee, and free refills on brewed coffee.

New automated espresso machines: The new machine, called Mastrena, was designed to narrow the margin for error in pulling espresso shots.

New coffee blend: Called Pike Place Roast, it will be available as a regular and decaf brew at U.S. stores beginning in mid-April. Customers who buy the beans for home will have them hand-scooped into bags by baristas rather than grabbing a prepackaged, flavor-locked bag.

The company's new initiatives include buying Ballard-based Coffee Equipment Co., the maker of the highly regarded Clover single-cup commercial brewer. Details about the deal were not disclosed.

Clover, which has 11 employees and is privately held, sold its first machine in 2006 and has become a sensation in the coffee world.
Schultz said he first drank coffee from a Clover machine in New York, where a cup was selling for $7.

"How do you do that?" he jokingly asked the company's co-founder and chief executive, Zander Nosler, on stage at Starbucks' annual meeting.

Starbucks has tested the Clover machines at stores in Seattle and Boston and charges about $2 to $3 a cup.

There are only a couple of hundred Clover machines in coffee shops and high-end personal kitchens worldwide, Nosler said. The retail price for the commercial machine, which requires plumbing and higher voltage than found in most kitchens, is $11,000.

Starbucks also unveiled a new espresso machine. Unlike the Clovers, espresso machines are the equipment workhorses at its coffee shops, cranking out the coffee for lattes and other espresso-based beverages.

The new machines, called Mastrena, will be manufactured in Switzerland by Thermoplan, the same company that makes Starbucks' current machines.

The companies are not disclosing the cost of switching machines.

The new machines will begin rolling out next month, replacing the Verismo automated machines Starbucks introduced in 2000.

Before that, it used manual machines from La Marzocco, which are still in stores in some international markets.

The Mastrena is about 7 inches shorter than Starbucks' current machines, allowing baristas to interact with customers more easily while they make drinks.

They also time the length of each shot so baristas can adjust the grind, if necessary, and how much steam comes out of their steaming wands.

While likely to disappoint some longing for the return of old-school manual machines, the Mastrena is about seven inches shorter than machines in stores now, making it easier for baristas to interact with customers.

'It's not just a piece of equipment,' Schultz said of machine made by Thermoplan, the same Swiss company that makes Starbucks' current machines. 'It's an unbelievable tool that will provide us with the highest-quality, consistent shot of espresso that will be second to none.'

Among other initiatives to revive Starbucks' flagging growth is a loyalty program for Starbucks Card users and a new drip coffee called Pike Place Roast.

Schultz said more changes are in store, including offerings in the "health and wellness" business and entry into the fast-growing energy-drink market later this year.

Wednesday's announcements are the second wave of changes Schultz has introduced since returning as CEO in January. In February, Starbucks said it would cut about 600 jobs and close about 100 underperforming U.S. stores this year.

Since then, he has had employees retrained, offered free Wi-Fi to certain customers and said the chain will stop selling warmed breakfast sandwiches.

Melissa Allison: 206-464-3312 or mallison@seattletimes.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

yeah. big changes are coming our way.
i feel that the specialty cofffee community was used as a test site.

i feel so violated..
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1221296/

Ello Missus Hon. How is KS? I look forward to possibly meeting you in person in MN.

There is a good chance of me going. If I go, I am volunteering as a station instructor at several of the espresso labs, about 20 hours worth. I think it will help to further rejuvenate the passion, and like you said, that's what it's about. And I really do love training every chance I get. It's so cool to see someone "get it." I should find out in the next day or so.....

This is really confusing me.
I'll figure it out eventually though.

I figured somethings out on here. And I am now very proud of myself. lol.
I also quit panera.
:)
That is a GOOD thing. Seeya monday.

Thank you! :)

Sandy!

Things are going great. It was wonderful to meet you too! I've been trying to hunker down and practice for the NERBC. Our cafe has been undergoing some strategic planning, and, that is always stressful but hopeful. Do you have a barista certification program that you use or one you can recommend? I really want to put something into place over this summer before next fall's students arrive.

Master, do I go in at 6:30 tomorrow?

It's fun how you got all of your little grasshoppers and caterpillars to join this. fun fun fun.

It's official. I beez going to MN. I signed up for station instructors for the espresso labs. I look forward to meeting ya there!

So... this is pretty cool.

So whats your opinion on the whole Clover and Starbucks situation? I figure the most part... Zander is making the right decision in embrassing the bux because its an open doorway for bux to really get what Coffee is all about.

and i never said bux will get what its all about... ;)

LISTEN!... I Change... I need your tamping training and balancing magic!!!!

Hey princess Hon, this is your padawan here... last week was my first week at my gig and I love it. The place is not even built yet! it is awesome. We have one wall out of three up, and the other two are gonna be all-glass windows and what would be a fourth wall is gonna be open into the rest of the store. This coming week they sould put in the counter and booths and the week after that we may have the equipment in along with the regional brand people and start installing everything and, even better, get going with training!
I looked up black gold and they want almost $30 for it, and JCCC has it, but only for viewing within the library :F

Anyways pass my hellos to aunt connie and the rest of the family,

TTYL
Whoa, I just realized something,
(check your myspace messages)

Hey Woman!!!! We need a Mini Vivaldi II for our shop!!!!! YOu have power make it HAPPEN!!!!!

Hiya! While the offer to teach in MN is amazing, it terrifies me a little... :) See you in a few weeks!

A mini Vivaldi--that's awesome. And don't worry, the force is with me.

Well... Im pretty sure if me luke,Rob and Seida. Can arrange something perhaps a riot or revolt for higher graded equipment!!!!

P.S. I need to know what videos and books to check out... I think this whole coffee thing might be something I want to do with my life... no joke... I want to know what IM getting into and not be stupid. I think I fell into some good hands on this one :)

What did you think of that last brown nose comment, Pretty good huh? ;) JK JK JK !!!!!

It went great! Everyone is really nice and helpful.

Princess Hon, If you came into one of my trainings and shared just a bit of your wisdom, I would be even more grateful than that one time when you lent me your antibiotics for a urinary tract infection!

You know, creepyly enough, the other day I WAS thinking back to sasquatch, Tall Skinny, Missy-B, BTK, then Missy-B again, and SB and Pat --and then a single tear rolled down my cheek: I realized that all those characters are from "the big city." I can't wait to see what Topeka has in store!!! haha. Although I am starting from right now telling my crew how important our regulars are for us...
I feel all grown up now.
Speaking of... Ari rolled over all on her own for the first time this week.

I think I'm gonna have to sit this one out...I have been helping with the other Zoka baristas who are competing at the USBC. I have been catapulted into managing the Snoqualmie Zoka after only being up here a week. So I have my hands full at the moment. I think I will shoot for the upcoming NWRBC to get me ready for next year's USBC. Thanks for saying hey! I am sorry I am gonna miss hanging out with you guys next month. I hope all is well back in Overland Park.

heyyy! glad ya found me, rob told me about this site. pretty awesome! barista unite.

hey! so guess who is the proud new owner of a french press... my tongue is saying "its bout darn time rob". Also, been watching the vids religiously all weekend.

That picture of me is the craziest picture I've ever seen.
OMG. I'm so great at making faces.

Ya. It was weird not being there this year. I missed being there. Thanks for noticing. haha

So... you think your going to win. Well miss "The Hon" I figure you know the minor rebellion from your "Kids" is going to escalate to a whole new ball game... keep your eyes, ears, nose, mouth... oh whatever... just watch your back!!!! Because its not just you against me... its you against an army!!!!!... MU HAHAHA... MUHAHAH... COUGH!...

Hey mom. Everything is going great. Tonight we had the deal with our partner big name chef (me french pressing, and pairing it with her desserts). We had a great turn out and people loved it! We are definitely making a series of it!
And of course... as you can tell it's midnight so, that's what I get for drinking so much coffee so late in the evening. I feel like a just smoked me a bowl of PCP... your know??? You know???

sweet! YOU ARE CRAZY WOMAN!!!

Hey Sucka!!!! You have new PHOTO!!!! MUHAHAHA!!!!

Hey Sandy. I just thought of you because I'm watching "Stop Making Sense" the Talking Heads movie. You came to mind because the bass player, Tina, looks like you from far away. pretty cool, huh.
Hope you are well!

Judges training baby! I'll be there!

I'm not up in OP as often any more. But I would love to have a cup with you. In fact, you are worth a special trip. :)
Maybe I'll get around up there in the next week or so.

Hello Sandy, things are very busy in my end of the coffee world, hope your coffee world is treating you well. I am doing some last minute arrangements for the Seattle CoffeeFest. Let me know what's going on with you.

I'm doing all right. As busy as ever. How are you? Hair hasn't grown back but, I shaved the hawk and everyone keeps telling me to grow it back. We will see.

Let me know whenever u want to visit Antigua Guatemala and our facilities and plantations, we have wha u want, u will love it very much indeed-

best regards

Pablo

Hello Sandy - greetings from Canada - Steve