This evening after closing, I went to the shop to practice. Armed with my tamp, a gallon of milk, and some good music, Gabbie and I poured lattes until we ran through our gallons. A lot of good looking drinks were made, photographed and dumped, but the best feedback I could have was later, driving home.
I was discussing what went down with Lenore, and she commented that I need to slow WAAAY down on my pours. Thinking this through, she couldn't be more right. I felt like I was under the gun to produce lattes like there was a line, and this made me literally shake. There is a hurry to time things correctly, but overall, like Lenore advised me, this is not a race, it's a competition. Not only that, but it's a fun get together, and for what it's worth, the social aspect of this event is what I am really hoping to gain from, not just making bomb lattes.
So, tomorrow night, after closing, the goal is to take a breath and take my time every time I go to pour. The first half of the pours tonight were 'picturesque', where later and later on, I became shaky and rushed.
I am so excited to get out of town, but I'm more excited to make some new friends, see some old ones, and take part in something fun that will improve my skills as a barista and a manager.
Here's to Olympia!

ART