What is your position in the coffee industry?

barista, coffee enthusiast, industry professional

Where are you located? ( City and Country )

San Francisco, CA, USA

How many years have you been in the industry?

I learned how to work an espresso machine in 2003. Coffee and cafes have weaved in and out since, though I started taking it all very seriously when in 2008 when I started working at Peet's.

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 am very fortunate to work for Blue Bottle Coffee Company. I primarily work at the Ferry Building location in San Francisco. I work one Farmers' Market shift outside on Thursdays, three shifts up front on the LM Linea Paddle, and my Sunday shift on our Idrokompresso in the side window single origin bar.

I also am so lucky to work for a couple of awesome folks at a place called Modern Coffee in Oakland. At Modern, Four Barrel, Verve, and Ecco are served consistently, as well as Barefoot on occasion, and whatever else they feel like making. I work on a LM GS3 there, and brew on a Fetco and in Clever Drippers. The perspective I gain at Modern is unbeatable.

What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?

I am really in no position to be doing any traveling anytime soon (I work all the time and can't save a dime, and need to get a new passport), but when I can it will likely be to Origin and then Europe. Mainly UK and Scandinavia. I am, however, down to cruise anywhere. I love California, as I am indigenous, but I have an affinity for the rest of the North American geography.

About Me:

Hailing from Redlands, CA, I relocated to San Francisco immediately after high school in the Summer of '02. I play in a punk/hardcore/thrash band that gets together for a couple of days every year or so and goes on tour for a few weeks. I've seen the country a few times. I enjoy going to shows, mostly of the Doom variety.

I spent some time learning to cook in Italian and French restaurants, and consequently enjoy eating everywhere from dives to fine dining every chance I get. I roam a lot of cafes, and do a lot of drinking, and not just coffee; there is an excellent beer culture here, as well as wine, but I am no stranger to a 40. I enjoy having people over for dinner and cooking on off nights, and barbecuing when it's nice. I'm pretty much just about keeping it real.

About My Company:

As I said, I am very fortunate and proud to work for Blue Bottle, my main jam, as well as Modern. Blue Bottle really is a wonderful company, and I am awestruck when I realize how large we have grown as a company, though I am still able to talk to the owner. And better yet, be heard. To be in an environment full of respect and ideas is a wonderful experience that I would be hard pressed to leave. Although I have no official position other than barista, I feel like it is a huge role I play, and that is huge. In my opinion, our main strength as a company lies in our interaction with consumers. We have a lot of cool gadgets and some pretty good coffee, and the opportunity to take a new customer unfamiliar with our style of coffee and make them feel welcome is something I look forward to. Afterall, I can taste and make great coffee all day, but nothing is more gratifying than making someone else's day.

What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?

Coffee would be the easy answer. Coming to work might be the professional answer. Its Ritalen-like effects on me is probably the most accurate answer. I can be a little OCD, but in this industry there is always something to organize, poke my nose in, and/or occupy my mind.

Website:

http://maximumgrindage.wordpress.com