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Heather

Profile Information:

What is your position in the coffee industry?: coffee enthusiast, industry professional
Where are you located? ( City and Country ): Venice, California
How many years have you been in the industry?: 11
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 have managed, trained and worked as a barista in many quick service coffee house, catering, and trade show settings. My favorite things are working on menu development, promotional developement and recipe development.
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?: Anywhere and everywhere!
About Me:: I grew up in coffee...it chose me and I surrendered. I started as a barista in my moms coffee shop as a wee-lass where together we learned the intricacies of starting up a new coffee business. We trudged through everything from menu and recipe development, to hiring (and firing), finding vendors, and every day operations. This training was invaluable for my career. From there I went on to put myself through college as a barista for 4 different coffee houses, both independent and corporate (very different animals!). After college and some world travel I landed as a coffee industry professional in 2005. I have done many things including (but not limited to) menu and project development for It's A Grind Coffee House in Long Beach, CA, Regional Manager for Gourmet Source (Ghirardelli, Samabazon Acai, Pixie Mate, United Brands, etc), and now I am working for LAMILL COFFEE in Southern California. www.lamillcoffee.com
About My Company:: I am now working for LAMILL COFFEE. We are a Boutique Roaster in LA, sourcing, blending and roasting to order. We are obsessed with coffee and I like it that way.
What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?: The coffee, the pulse of the industry, and the people.
Website:: http://www.lamillcoffee.com

Comment Wall:

Ginger Gerhart

Welcome Heather Gerhart-Kelley!

Dec 27, 2007
Ron Rogers

Hello I just found this site and am poking around. So Hi!

Dec 28, 2007
Ginger Gerhart

That looks like mighty tasty chocolate! Tell us about it ;)...

Dec 28, 2007
Casha

Heather, thanks for the add! This site is great and has so much usful info for those looking to expand their knowledge and coffee experience! Happy holidays and a blessed New Year! Keep in touch and let me know if Ghiaradelli is ever looking for someone! :)

Dec 30, 2007
Pablo Castaneda

Hello Heather, how are you. I'm Pablo from Guatemala. I read your profile and I realized you work for Gourmet Source, I checked your website but I could not find any specialty coffee, if your company is looking for one to represent I will be really interested and I can send you samples. I invite you to read my newest blog.

Best regards

Pablo Castaneda
www.kafesguatemala.com

Jan 2, 2008
nik orosi

as i was writing you comment on your picture, have you been in prague or what? when ever near by, please be free to visit my country and my caffe, dont worry for place to sleep or anything else, bring more baristi with or friends...

Jan 3, 2008
Nicole Michaud

Mmmm...
Chocolate, the fool proof way to bring out the animal in any woman!
Love the picture!

Jan 3, 2008
Gabrielle Parson

Hi Heather, Happy New Year, Let me know when you want to meet Andrea, she is going back to Loyola next week. Hope to see your mom soon.
Gabrielle

Jan 6, 2008
nik orosi

ah wienna!!! i have an uncle there and wienna is just fab as prague is. this summer i plan to make a barista party in my sea side house , will see before or after wbc (if i win national again) and ill contact you, matt is invited from u.s., others are champs from europe...so till then, enjoy chocolate, btw, shall i send you some belgian or swiss chocolate?

Jan 6, 2008
Pablo Castaneda

Hi Heather , thank you though. Let me know as I can mail you a sample of my coffee, if your boss and you want to try it and simply fall in love with it.So how is life?? everything good in California, are you like between San Diego and Los Angeles????

best regards

Pablo

Jan 7, 2008
Bruce Milletto

Hey Heather
Welcome to Barista Exchange - so coooool of Matt to get this up and going - so needed... hope all is well and hope to see you soon. Ciao Bruce

Jan 7, 2008
Nicole Michaud

Hi Heather!
No Dice on Diego.....
I am trying to get back home to MN right now but got stuck in CO. I have been on the road since coffee fest so I am excited to be back home for a minute.
Hopefully I will see you in Minneapolis for SCAA!

Jan 9, 2008
Ben Gleeson

Hey Heather, Thanks for the add.. What's the coffee scene like in California? also thats a very Cool profile pic.. mmm chocolate

Jan 9, 2008
Ben Gleeson

Hey Heather.. it's good to hear that there's some good things happening - even if it's just a few of you. I consider myself to pretty lucky when it comes to our Aussie scene, I'm just up the road from Sydney, - which has some great things happening and the central coast is starting to catch on - slowly. I'm glad to be associated with the whole thing - most people in the scene are great - it's like having one big extended family. You should come down when you can - I'm sure I could keep you pretty busy down here! Have a great day ; )

Jan 9, 2008
Kylene Milletto

Hi dear Heather. Nice to see you on coffee myspace...haha :)

Jan 25, 2008
Alden Oakleigh Gerhart Kelley

Hey hey hey hey there there there there sister sister sisssssster. We're we're we're we're we're we're we're we're
we're we're having having having having moose moose moose
moose moose moose moose balls. I'm dizzy

Jan 25, 2008
Pablo Castaneda

I need to ask, is that ICE CREAM???

ciao ciao bela

Pablo

Feb 19, 2008
Heather BK

Hey Heather - it's time for the Western Regional Barista Competition and were looking for sponsorship, my good friend Kerry Laird, who'd also a part of this network is going to be giving you a jingle. Hope you are well and enjoying yummy food! Come visit soon, we miss your smiling face! www.wrbc2008.com

Feb 20, 2008
Pablo Castaneda

Yeah I was wondering but yeah now that you describe it sounds awesome, so how is life so far? I can't wait to travel on Friday, heading to FL, GA , and finally CA, how is the weather over there??? Is Hermosa Beach like between LA and San Diego by any chance??? ciao ciao ...............

Feb 20, 2008
Pablo Castaneda

Hey thanks for your comments, that is so cool you liked this music, I had been teaching latin dances since i was 15 or so. Tango, merengue, salsa, samba, u name it. Miami is so hot now, and guess what Im heading to California in 2 weeks, Im arriving at LA and heading to San Diego , perhaps we can meet or so for coffee. Ciao ciao for now

Pablo

Feb 25, 2008
Ryan Loffer

Hey, good to hear from you too! Yeah its been forever. Once a year is definately not enough, although you live like in another country practically.

Things are well, I thought I'd get on here and join the "Cool Kids Club! Hope all is well.

Feb 26, 2008
Marko Pyhajarvi

Hi, I just joined the community and I'm trying to get connected with people. I sent you a friend-request.

Mar 31, 2008
Anna Gutierrez

Hey there pretty lady! How's Cali treating you?

Hugs,
~Anna

Oct 18, 2008
Ginger Gerhart

wait....what? Go figure...not shurwe how I even did that! I am packing to head to the aeropuerto, shocking I know...

Oct 20, 2008
Damian

Hi Heather. Wow. When are you coming to Dublin. Loads of great coffee places in Dublin including Bewleys in Grafton Street. Let me know your dates and I will see whats happening here around those dates. Maybe meet up? Damian.

Nov 22, 2008
Damian

Hi Heather. Your'e not spending a lot of time in Ireland. You defo have to go into Bewleys cafe in Grafton Street during your visit. Guinness store house if you can fit it in as well. As for new years eve - anywhere in temple bar would be good. An irish pub for the tourists - St Oliver John Gogarthy's. Pity you were not here for longer. You could have paid a visit to the Bewleys factory and had a look around the roastery. Damo

Nov 25, 2008
Steve MacDowall

Hello Heather - greetings from the east coast of Canada - Steve

Dec 1, 2008
hery

hai...

Dec 3, 2008
Tony Serrano

Yes, you found me....and now, I've found you! What's the scene down south these days. Has Intelli cornered the market? Will you be in the Bay for Winter food show in January?

Dec 6, 2008
Damian

Unfortunately I won't be in DUblin for New year's Eve. Am going down to Cork (south of the country). Hope you enjoy your visit to Ireland. Let me know where you end up. Talk to you soon. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Damo.

Dec 13, 2008
Steve MacDowall

thanks for adding me to your list - we are having a very bad snow storm at the moment and the only good thing is my hot mug of coffee - Steve

Dec 22, 2008