What is your position in the coffee industry?

barista, barista trainer, coffee roaster, service tech/repair

Where are you located? ( City and Country )

Houston, Texas

How many years have you been in the industry?

7

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've been a Barista for almost seven years, and have worked at several different coffee shops. I started at the big green giant, but have been working in the indy specialty coffee industry for three years now. I now work with Java Pura ( formally the Texas Java Co.), a catering group, and Catalina Coffee Shop on Washington Ave. in Houston. I've competed in a couple barista competitions, the UBC in Houston in summer of '08, and the SCRBC in late October of '08. They were awesome! (BTW, guys at Cuvee', ya'll did an awesome job hosting.) I can do latte art a bit, and I think I can make a pretty good cup.

What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?

Anywhere really. I love traveling, and just want to be the best barista I can be. I think that different experiences and lots of practice help that. And candy, lots of candy.

About Me:

Mostly life is just coffee. When it's not coffee it's still awesome. I just had my one year wedding anniversary with my beautiful wife Michelle, and we have traveled a lot this year. In short, Costa Rica, Seattle, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica again, and then north west Africa. It's been a fun year. I just got an ECM Giotto espresso machine for my house, and I just got a Pinhalenze sample roaster from Brazil so I can start learning, and maybe sell a little coffee. Btw, it's a great little roaster, for anyone that cares. Got a really good PNG and an El Salvador Finca Alaska I'm playing with right now.*Update*---11/10/08---Just got a Ethiopia Sidamo, Natural, 100% Red Cherries, also a Brazil Serra Negra, 100% Bourbon varietal, natural, as well,...both from Cafe' Imports, and both freaking delicious! *Update*- 12/14/08 - Just got back from Seattle this weekend. Spent some time with the guys at Synesso, and am now a certified Synesso technician! BOO YAH! *Update*-12/17- Got two bags just in of some A-M-A-Z-I-N-G coffee. You may have heard of them, how about Ethiopia Aleta Wondo? Yeah, that's right, props to my man Wilam Boot. Or how about Ethiopia Yergacheffe, Idido Misty Valley! Oh man, I gotta sit down, I'm getting a little dizzy. Very excited to have these coffees on my line-up. K, so, new info as of 7/1/1009--- Ultimate Barista Challenge results for me, I am now presiding Ultimate Barista for frappe, which is pretty dang cool, won best overall in points, and had the honor of facing Ms. Heather Perry in Best of Brew: My Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Idido Misty Valley against her Ethiopia Sidama Wondo Bonko. Sherry Johns, head judge for the UBC, said it was close. No kidding, an incredible honor to lose to not only one of the best baristas in the world, but to the coffee roasted by the Micro-Roaster of the year. Truly a privilege to have my coffee on the same table. Mike Perry, if you happen to read this, I gave Heather some of my coffee. I'd love to hear what you think. Thanks for the experience. I wouldn't trade it for the world. In other news, just purchased a Probat L5 from Gimme! and its on a truck headed this way. Very excited!

About My Company:

My personal company is Fusion Beans. I'll have a coffee shop soon enough, but right now, I'm just a barista training, amateur roaster. It's going to be fun starting my own business. As for Catalina Coffee, It is hands down, right now anyway, the best coffee shop in H-town. Max, the owner is the coolest boss anyone could have. He's very educated on coffee, and for that matter on most things. He's a master gardener, he's starting his own roastery, and he's only 27. I really feel great about working at his shop. We've also got a great crew, everyone there is a really good barista.

What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?

Besides the actual coffee, it's the people. Everyone seems to try to help each other out.

Website:

http://www.fusionbeans.net