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Brendon Parsons

Male

Jupiter, FL

United States

Profile Information:

What is your position in the coffee industry?: barista, home barista, coffee enthusiast
Where are you located? ( City and Country ): South Florida
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.: Although mostly self-taught, I have a good working knowledge of espresso preparation, including latte art. I also have experience working for both independent and corporate (SBUX) coffee shop. I study coffee and flavor chemistry, will be writing a senior thesis on either the analytical or synthesis aspects of these.
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?: In the U.S., pretty much anywhere, although, I love the Northwest. Abroad, I would like to visit Germany and get to practice all those years of high-school Deutsch. Will be studying abroad this summer to learn Spanish, hopefully opening up most of Latin America for coffee travels.
About Me:: I love coffee. I started drinking coffee about 6 years ago when I moved to South Florida and gained access to the region's many Cuban bakeries. Eventually, I took my weekend habit of cafe con leche, cafe cordadito, and cafe colada home by purchasing a Krup Espresimo.

Several upgrades and coffee shops later, I am a college student studying chemistry with an insatiable interest in coffee. I roast, brew, and pour latte art for my fellow students; unfortunately, the dorm rules do not allow me to operate a cafe. So I operate a "coffee charity" based on ability to pay, I can take tips for drinks, but do not charge.

Currently, I am studying Chemistry and looking for a career that will fuse my interests in both chemistry and coffee.
About My Company:: I'm a student at the Harriet L. Wilkes Honor College at Florida Atlantic University's MacArthur campus. Whew. Long story short, it's a public institution that offers an ALL honors curriculum that of private school quality (my Chemistry I class was less than 20 students) with the accessibility of a public institution.
What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?: coffee? just kidding, I love the "smallness" of such a global industry, something of a rareity
Website:: http://cuppingclub.blogspot.com

Comment Wall:

Sarah

Hi Brendon,

Sorry for not writing back sooner. I have passed your information along to our R&D dept. I would also recommend reaching out to our HR with your resume and interest - careers@torani.com. We don't have a formal internship program here, but that doesn't mean we wouldn't explore the possibility.

Let me know if I can do anything to help.

Good Luck!
Sarah

Jan 29, 2008
Sarah

Hi Brendon,

Definitely feel free to use my name - I will give them the heads up that they will be hearing from you.

We could totally use an intern with latte art skills!

Feb 20, 2008
Jason Dominy

Hey man. How's the scene down in the FL?

Feb 22, 2008
Gino

I hadn't thought about it but I'de like to talk more about a possible intern here. E-mail me your # @ gino@rivieracoffee.com and we can chat more about it.

Mar 21, 2008
Anthony Rue

Hey, Brenden-- we're working with Intelligentsia for our coffee. We're shooting for an April 19th opening; I hope you can make it up to Gainesville to check us out.

Mar 21, 2008
Brady

Hi Brendon. Nice to meet you.

Mar 21, 2008
Brady

Thanks! I enjoy our espresso and hope you do to if you get a chance to stop in. There are several other places in town that I'd say had good espresso too - including the Dilworth in Quail Corners and Java Passage in South End.

Thanks again and have a great weekend.

Mar 22, 2008
Jason Dominy

I haven't heard from him about it. I will ask him Wednesday when I get back in town. I am in Atlanta the next couple of days helping out with the SCAA Skill Building Workshop.

Apr 6, 2008
Jason Dominy

Let me know a better idea of your route, and I will hook you up with some good places along the way! Take care man!

Apr 14, 2008
Jason Dominy

Mi casa is su casa. You are more than welcome to stay at our place, but prepare to be crushed on the Wii! Again, just let me know a more precise plan when you know it. I'll put something together over here.

Apr 22, 2008
Anthony Rue

Brendon,

We just passed our health inspection today, and we should be open tomorrow! If you are heading up 75 from the south, take the first gainesville exit for Williston Road/331; follow it towards gainesville until 331 crosses 441/13th St. Just after 441, you'll see a turn lane that splits off to the left for Main Street/329. Go north on Main Street to the heart of downtown. Turn left on SW 1st Ave and go two block until 1st Ave dead-ends at 2nd St. We're directly in front of you when you're at 1st and 2nd. 48 SW 2nd St.

Apr 22, 2008
m'lissa owens

I'm stoked for your trip, but unfortunately I will still be in Minneapolis at the USBC/SCAA... :(
But you should come check out Octane anyway, it's a rad shop!

Apr 24, 2008
Brady

Yeah, stop by. Let me know when and I'll be sure to be there. (See group discussion for the full reply).

b

Apr 25, 2008
Brent hall

Hey man, sorry to take so lon...yeh..definitely drop me a line. I'll be emailing you my number in the next day or so. We can do a "tour de Charlotte." what did you have in mind?

Apr 25, 2008
kuniansky

It would be my honor to provide you with such a garment upon your trip to Atlanta. Looks like I'm going to be drinking a ton of coffee May 3-5th. As of now, I'm in town, but I'll let you know if anything changes. Sounds like Octane is the place in Atlanta, so I'll plan on throwing it down there. Keep me posted and thanks for the message.

Apr 26, 2008
Jill Zimmerman

I think the shop in Asheville is called Caffiend...I'll pull it up to confirm....

Apr 30, 2008
Brady

Hey Brendon, you still around?

Jun 17, 2008
Shawn Steiman

Hey Brendon,
I always like new friends! Forgive me if my mind has slipped, though, but, do I know you? If so, from where?

cheers,
Shawn

Jun 17, 2008
Shawn Steiman

Brendon,
A chemist- how excellent. I have plenty of experience working in chem labs, mostly using HPLC and GC. I'm happy (not that you're asking) to help you in your thesis topic/pursuit.

I'm a might bit busy the next two weeks, though. So, I won't be responsive. Until then, try to give me a clearer idea of what about coffee you are interested in studying. From there, we'll try to turn it into a useful chem project/research topic.

As for books, the Illy book is pretty great (I have the first edition). The Sivetz isn't bad, either, but since I become more interested in roasting, I haven't had a chance to look through it. There are other coffee science books but they tend to focus on the biological sciences and/or are out of print.

A fun book that may be of interest to you is "Coffee Flavor Chemistry" by Ivon Flament. It has some text but also a comprehensive list of chemicals identified in coffee. It is more of a chemist's reference than anything. I rarely use it but it comes in handy on occasion.

Talk with you soon-ish,
Shawn

Jun 19, 2008
Shawn Steiman

Brendon,

I am a free man, again! So, please, if you want any help with research ideas, research or coffee talk, don't hesitate to ask!

toodles,
Shawn

Jul 2, 2008
Philip Switzer

awesome, thanks!

Nov 8, 2008
Al Sterling

Hey Brendon... your major, as you well know, plays a huge part in the food and beverage industry. I'm sure you know that coupling a major in chem and a minor, with on the job training, in business, is a killer combo in this industry. Wonder if you've had time to seperate your academic self from the "here and now", to ponder what you want to do in the near future?

Dec 9, 2008
John

Hey Brendon. What kind of machine are you using for your charity work? Still the Esrpesimo?

Dec 9, 2008
Brady

Hi Brendon. Just got home from the morning shift. They will be open till 6 today, then I'll be opening tomorrow morning, so there till noon again. Hope to see you, but if not enjoy your stay and hope your travels are safe.

Dec 26, 2008
Jonathan Amos

Hey Brendon-- yeah let me know if you're ever coming around. That'd be great. I go to the New College of Florida, which was kind of the honors off-shoot of USF before it went independent a few years ago. Seems like it might be pretty similar place to where you're at. Are you roasting in the dorms?

Dec 27, 2008
Jesse -D->

THanks a lot. And thanks for checking out the blog. We are working really hard on that.

Feb 10, 2009
Jesse -D->

Actually the blend I used isn't available, but the leftist is very close. I'm not sure how well it will go with actual beer, but I would try somthing dark yet slightly hoppy. THe citrus from the hops really accent the spro well.

Feb 11, 2009