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Joe Marrocco

Male

St. Louis, MO

United States

Profile Information:

What is your position in the coffee industry?: barista, manager, barista trainer, coffee roaster, coffee enthusiast, industry professional, consultant
Where are you located? ( City and Country ): St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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?: yes
Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills.: We have 7 locations and lots of wholesale customers. I have the pleasure of being the one to bounce from one to another, bring great coffee and great skills to them all. As a trainer I am continually reminded of how quickly our industry is barreling forward. I love staying up to date on trends and methods, then bringing those new ideas to the table, constantly stretching myself and the baristas I work with.
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?: I am up for any travel to any place. And anyone is welcome here.
About Me:: I am a proud husband and father. I love coffee and all things that surround it. I love to fish, camp, drink great beverages, eat amazing food, cook, play with my kids, chill on the stoop, etc,... Life is great!
About My Company:: Check out the website below to find out about Kaldis.
What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?: My favorite thing about the coffee industry is the ability that coffee has to bring all kinds of different people from all ethnic groups, religions, political persuasions, levels of wealth, countries, etc... together. Not only are they together, but coffee spawns conversation and interaction between them.
Website:: http://www.kaldiscoffee.com

Comment Wall:

Shanna

Just wanted to drop by and say hello!

Mar 20, 2008
Jay Lijewski (TacomaPenna)

Hi Monkey!
It's about time. Will I see you at SCAA?

Mar 20, 2008
Robbie Britt

'bout time coffee geek!!!

Mar 20, 2008
tommy b

Hey, your sister, brother-in-law and brother are in the shop right NOW! Nice.

Mar 20, 2008
David

well well, if it isn't the Famous Joe!!! When are you coming up to Judge a few pre USBC rounds for us at the Roaster. We just got a few new coffee's in that you should come cup with us on a friday. Pretty Awesome Stuff.

Mar 21, 2008
Dex

Awesome to get an add from you hope all is going well. Its great to see you on here and hopefully we will see you and Robbie in Seattle. We mus get some java and beer. Take care chat with you soon!

Mar 21, 2008
Chris/Dale

joe ... dont forget to go the mullet route...

Mar 24, 2008
Ian

joe, good to hear from you. latte art is getting a lot better. cody and i are gettting more consistent. i have been trying to focus more on the art as of late. in the beginning i was more focused on the espresso. it is going ok. the shop is continuing to grow in numbers, but also in people who are enjoying quality coffee and coming back for more. good to hear from you. working at the shop in st. ger???? still? talk to ya soon.

Apr 1, 2008
Robbie Britt

Joe,

How are things?

Apr 1, 2008
Robbie Britt

I did. Checked out yours and Dale's. Pretty sweet.

Apr 1, 2008
Aaron Duckworth

They are well, man. And yourself? How's Bella?

Apr 3, 2008
Chris/Dale

next chapters, all around

things are about to get pretty flippin' sweet brotherman

Apr 4, 2008
Chris Weaver

thank you, thats a very kind comment :)

I think that too many people poor latte art into bad shots, and I think thats sad!!

Apr 6, 2008
Alex Brooks

My man in semo! whats happenin down south? you guys gotta come out and check out the bakery. Lemme know when your comin up again!

later!

Apr 6, 2008
Ray(mond) Wyatt

Bro!!! You are my ROMODEL!!!! in everyway keep it up.

Apr 8, 2008
Dan Griffin

thanks joe, i really appreciate all dat. our community is with out a doubt the best thing we got going. are you going to be in minnepolis? if so we should hangout.

Apr 8, 2008
Eric S.

Thanks for the comment man. If you are ever going to be up here in the area let me know so you can come behind the counter and show off your skills. You can go in the soon to be created guest barista album.

Apr 9, 2008
Ray(mond) Wyatt

You seem like a cool bro crazy and happy to be living. I thinks its very important to act this way in life since we were blessed to live it. I love the passion for coffee, not the snottyness. I probably went overboard explaining but just wanted to compliment you brother for being a father,husband and a genuine human being.

P.S. I see your a brother in Christ... Nice to meet you brother.

Apr 9, 2008
Ray(mond) Wyatt

Most True and honest words brother...

Overland Park is good, I actually work for Johnson County Community College at there Coffee Shop excellently named JAVA JAZZ (yeah right...) But its under good care of Sandy Hon, Chair person of the Barista Guild.

Yes PT's Coffee is excellent, but if you ever come back around you need to try Broadway Cafe. It will blow your mind.

Apr 10, 2008
Ray(mond) Wyatt

Yeah, "Skim Chai" is awesome... thats what we call "The Hon". On part of Broadway yes it is on the MO side, But here we all consider it the same City.

Ill keep dropping lines bro!

Apr 10, 2008
Aaron

Hey there! Thanks for the encouragement, I really appreciate it!

1.) I really wish I could have shown myself steaming the milk as well. Unfortunately, being at *bux I had to film it out of view of the security cameras which meant getting my shots and steaming my milk, then scurrying to the opposite site of the store to film it. I overstretched things on this take and did have too much foam, but I think the quality of the foam I'm getting is actually pretty good.

2) You're right on this. The crema on these shots sucks... my hands are just kinda tied on that issue until I get somewhere else...

3) One thing against me here is that I only have one hand so tipping the cup while pouring the milk is pretty neigh impossible... I can certainly get closer to the cup with my pour, but tipping... I've seen some videos where people didn't tip the cup and still got some impressive results so I'm hoping it's possible...

Apr 13, 2008
Aaron

Yeah, it's becoming a serious pain to be working there for somebody interested in this stuff. Apparently our district manager has specifically addressed that she doesn't want any of us to be attempting latte art. I was told that through a shift supervisor so I don't know what her reasoning is. Presumably she fears too much milk would be wasted during learning the learning period or that it'll increase serving time too much. *rolls eyes* As such, I just drink water at work and use my employee beverages attempting latte art. 5 attempts per shift is about all I can manage. I also had to buy my own pitcher that I have to keep hidden and such.

Don't worry about the one hand bit! You couldn't have known! :-)

At the moment I don't really know what's going on with my life. I don't know if I'll be graduating this May or next May, if I'll be starting graduate work in this year or not, or if my undergraduate degree will end up being in biochemistry, general studies, or both. I'm a mess but hopefully I'll get things under control in the next couple of weeks.

I don't know what's going to happen to the barista thing. I enjoy doing it, for sure, but I don't see how I could support myself on the underpaid wages of a barista, even if I do become exceptionally good at this. Starting a coffee shop of my own is something I've been rolling around in my head for a few days, but something like that would require years more experience and such (which I'm not opposed to). So... I don't know... It's something I want to pursue for now but I don't know if it will be long- or short-term. I do want to get out of Muncie, IN ASAP but at the moment I'm tied to my university.

-Aaron

Apr 14, 2008
Erin

So, there was no face in my picture before... and now it's all face!

Apr 15, 2008
Robbie Britt

I added some pictures you might like...

Apr 16, 2008
Tyler Zimmer

Hey Joe,

Glad you had a good time on Friday and hopefully you got a feel for things. If you have any questions, just holler. There's some pretty good reading on sweetmarias.com if you want to read some good stuff on roasting.

Apr 20, 2008
Mike Marquard

mmmmm....pizza and summer kolsch. why isn't everyday friday?

Apr 21, 2008
Robbie Britt

Thanks for inviting my family to lunch last week. It means a lot. Katie was sorry she couldn't make it. Hope all is well in the big MO.

Apr 30, 2008
Chris/Dale

joe... La Minita on a clover...Ima have to come down soon to get a pound for future decadence... Jons party was a good time someone offered me bad beer and i refused...living with the morroccos may have made me a beer snob (wouldn't have it any other way...) My love to your family brother

May 4, 2008
Tyler Zimmer

Glad you're joining us Joe! Everyone down here is looking forward to it!

May 7, 2008
Robbie Britt

So.....when were you planning on telling me the news? Congrats sir. I wish you the absolute best as always. When do you start? What's the job look like description wise?

May 7, 2008
Mike Marquard

Thanks for watching - it was nice knowing the midwest was behind me...

May 9, 2008
Alex Brooks

wow, took me a while to respond eh? sorry bro. I'm tryin with the drinks, we just got our rebuilt 3 group linea back today. Its mighty fine. Bona fide. So when you do up? You and your crew would get a kick out of our bakery. Hope to see you soon.

to peace, love, and the best coffee you can find!

May 19, 2008
Ed Smith

Possibly try to see you this Fri at the cupping !

edwin, esq

Jun 2, 2008
Ed Smith

Okee - Dokee . . . . sounds good. I've tried to time my run-a-rounds to show up for cuppings. I even "map quested" the roasting facility with the full intent of being there . . . but, alas, it has not happened. I definitely will make the effort now !
Got a crash pad near the airport, so that will free up some expenses for hotel rooms. We need to hit the tobacco again ! So much for Britt ! ! The guy has the audacity to run off to the west coast & leave us all here ! Of course, let's think this through . . . . . now we have a place to stay when we go out to the coast ! The Britt's homestead ! Hope all is well with you & your lovely girls.

Jul 14, 2008
Ed Smith

phone # ? ?

Jul 14, 2008
Ed Smith

When's the next cupping, Dude ?

Sep 23, 2008
Dex

Always a pleasure, great to see and talk with you again both coffee and non-coffee. Thanks again for having us down and please pass that along to your whole Kaldi's Family everyone was more then awesome! See you soon

Nov 9, 2008
Jon Freihofer

Will do, brotha. Anytime you make it to Springtown, hit me up.

Nov 26, 2008
Dex

Hey just wondering how things are going hope you had a great Turkey day and sure you are having fun shopping for you lil one for the up coming holiday. Trying to talk to the misses and make another trip up after the holidays I will keep you posted and would love to take you up on the offer. Since I have some free time right now. Take care.

Dec 5, 2008
Jay Lijewski (TacomaPenna)

Aw man! I miss you too! How are you? Any crazy roasting breakthroughs? Jessi and I wish you and your family a super happy Christmas.

Dec 24, 2008
Jay Lijewski (TacomaPenna)

Big congrats! You fertile, fertile man.

Dec 24, 2008
)on Lewis

Thanks!... I'm looking forward to what becomes of it myself.

Good times and good coffees... that is for sure.

Happy holidaze!

Dec 29, 2008