What is your position in the coffee industry?

barista, coffee enthusiast

Where are you located? ( City and Country )

Portland OR

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

Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills.

I have been working coffee since about the same time I starting drinking all my coffee black. Four years, and probably kidney damage later, I am completely absorbed in coffee/tea culture. From seed to puck, I am constantly trying to learn everything I can about the world's largest traded commodity. Being a barista is also probably the only job you can get away and actually be encouraged to have an personality. Like a drug dealer in an apron.

What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?

I really want to experience South America soon (very soon!). I'm doing an anthropology major in the hopes of getting my foot into international doors and getting paid to do it. I would love to end up in East Africa at one point, and see myself being in Asia for an extended amount of time. Pretty much: anywhere but Missouri.

About Me:

I'm right now settling in Portland until next year. I hail from the great state of Wisconsin where I grew up and started my training in Madison. I call Minneapolis home at this point, mostly because I love the city and want to finish my undergrad there. I can't be in cities for more than three seasons without going crazy. Books, records, a kitten names twiggy, and talented wonderful roommates keep me company in this great city right now between work and school, and I'm just fine with that. I am ready to keep doing what I love and I'm glad that I'm at an age that I can.

About My Company:

I work for The Clearing Cafe 2772 Thurman St. in Northwest Portland. I am so grateful I got the job right when I moved here, as one of my reasons for transferring to Portland for a year was to learn more about coffee. I'm also lucky enough to have some wonderful owners and managers (shout to the lovely Dallas Summers and Alex McGregor) and co-workers. We very proudly brew Ristretto handcrafted coffee which we're also able to train with. I am seriously fortunate to have been adopted to coffee culture in Portland, and take it as a sign that it's something I should be doing. And it's fucking fun.

What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?

Being able to understand what stretched milk feels like...in a good way

Website:

http://www.theclearingcafe.com/