Barista Exchange
Derek Dyson
Male
Tulsa, OK
United States
Profile Information:
- What is your position in the coffee industry?
- barista, manager, barista trainer, service tech/repair
- Where are you located? ( City and Country )
- Tulsa, OK - U.S.A.
- How many years have you been in the industry?
- 4
- If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?
- yes
- About Me:
- Worked in sales all of the way through college. Quit peddling electronics to people my senior year to focus on Grad school applications/admissions and got a job as a barista to keep a little money in my pocket. Fell in love with coffee culture and realized that I had worked my way through college doing a job that I hated just because it paid well.....then realized that life is way too short to waste 8 hours a day doing anything but what I enjoy doing...... Somehow got hooked up with a small company that was doing some amazing things in the coffee industry and the rest is history...well less history and more like my day to day life, but you get the picture.
- About My Company:
- I work for Topeca coffee and I am the Head Barista and the store manager. Ive been a barista for almost 4 years now and have found an amazing company to be a part of. The family I work for has owned the plantation in El Salvador that we import all of our coffee from since the mid 1800's. We are a single origin direct trade coffee roaster/distributor/cafe that controls every aspect of our product from the plantation and mill to your cup....we call it "seed to cup". Going to origin for us is like going to hang out with the family (which happens at least 3 times a year). There are not many Barista's out there that have direct relationship with their roaster, let alone their grower. I can call Milo at any time with any question imaginable and get a straight answer........ I have only been with Topeca for about a year and a half of their 6 year history (state side at least) and I already feel like part of the family. Its great to be such a big part of something that I truly believe in and something this unique.
- What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?
- The Culture and the Coffee
- Website:
- http://myspace.com/mynameisderekd
Karli Slinger
Feb 19, 2009
Karli Slinger
dude, weren't you supposed to give me a heads up whenever you came to town?
i wanted to come get some coffee with you guys.
ugh! maybe next time.
i heard you got the temporary, substitute espresso that day. :)
ok buddy , well i hope to see you soon.
Mar 9, 2009
Karli Slinger
Jun 19, 2009