Coffee Forums banner

Hey Guys!

11K views 32 replies 6 participants last post by  SeamusMcFlurry 
#1 ·
Well to start, I put my introduction in the wrong bit!
:(


nevermind.

My name is Antony, Core 2 Barista and Coffee Master at Starbucks in Basingstoke.

I study Computing, Physics, Maths and Japanese at college, and im going into my 2nd year of study!

Im learning to drive.. scary, yet so cool!

Im the proud owner of a 8-cup black Bodum French Press, that i love to bits [even though i need to get a new nylon or paper filter, as the metal one leaves too much sediment; any advice on which and where to get one would be great!]

Cheers guys!

Ant
 
See less See more
1
#2 ·
Hey Ant!

Great to see you hear, it's going to be nice having someone to defend Starbucks against the onslaught they often receive.

Unfortunately, I'm not too knowledgeable about the french press. I find the coffee can be too muddy as it just doesn't filter the coffee enough.

Have you tried a single cup filter method, Like the chemex? You get a clearer, purer cup.

Would you be able to put a post up in coffee lounge about your experience in working at Starbucks, I'd really enjoy reading it
:)


Chris
 
#3 ·
Hello Ant

Welcome. I am pretty new too

I am trading coffee out your way at a small festie on the first weekend of September.

Try and pop by and you can teach me some of your Starbucks ways (sorry
:)
) i`ll make sure you get through the gate for gratis. let me know

phil

p.s. Have you tried an Aeropress? In the right hands they become quite rewarding
 
#4 ·
Hey, what's with all the French Press bashing? I love French Press (as anyone who reads my blog will be sick of hearing by now).

Welcome Ant! Really hope you enjoy it here, and I also look forward to hearing about your experience working for Starbucks. It'll be great to hear the other side of things for a change.

Cheers,

Seamus
 
#5 ·
I'm not bashing it at all, just not to my taste. I prefer the clean, pure cup that the chemex can give, and infact find it closer to the taste you get when cupping a coffee than with a french press!

And yes Ant, don't think we'll look down at you for being a starbucks guy!! we're not that kind of place.

What does being a Coffee Master entail?
 
#6 ·
Welcome Antony

Great first post too - no bother about being in the wrong area, having you onboard makes up for that!

A very kind offer Phil! - thats what the coffee community should be like
:)
 
#7 ·
Yeah, Starbucks do need someone to defend them.. >

As for being Coffee Master [i havnt been on the course yet, so im not totally sure, but, from what i know, I need to be able to be able to describe the taste of all Starbucks coffees, and be able to tell partners/customers where each of them come from, what would pair well with them, etc. and also i need to hold coffee tastings on every shift im on, work with partners to help them complete their coffee passport, and set up the coffee merchandise stands.

But, the best of all.. i get to wear a black apron! haha, ok, not much of a big deal, but its nice to stand out
:D


Ill start a thread in the Coffee Lounge, at somepoint over the weekend!

Ant
 
#9 ·
Chris has started up a thread on this problem in the announcements section. Unfortunatly, with both Chris and I being away in different countries (I think Chris is still away anyway) it may take a little time before comments are moderated, but both of us will try our hardest to keep the comments up to date. All we can ask is that you bear with us
:)


Cheers,

Seamus
 
#10 ·
Editors Note:

Comments shouldn't be dropping into any moderation queues and should be automatically showing.

The reply is showing at number 3 in the thread list - I'll look into this as Seamus also reported a problem last week

Sorry for any inconvenience
 
#11 ·
Welcome!

Can I ask an odd Starbucks question: When I was in Dublin I picked up a flyer in the Starbucks I was in (yes I do go inside and buy coffee there - challenge me on it if you will) and it was talking about the top Starbucks taster/coffee guy in the UK. I left the flyer in Dublin by mistake but I really want to track the guy down and e-mail him. Do you have any idea who I am talking about? Seems quite young - late 20s maybe?

Sorry for the oddness!
 
#13 ·
I challenge you on it Jim, TO A DUEL!! Muhahaha

But no... Starbucks got me into coffee, used to love it in there!!

I don't understand the whole Coffee Master thing, or the way the starbucks job chain works, so to have it explained would be great!

Chris
 
#14 ·
From what I understand Chris, the Coffee Master is the guy you go to if you have any questions about Starbucks blends. So if you wanna know what blend will go best with something, the Coffee Master is the guy to go to. Also, there are Aroma Labs in some stores, and the Coffee Master is the guy who goes around telling people about the coffees they're tasting.

James: Starbucks?!?!?!?!
:p
lol. As for the coffee taster guy, sounds interesting. I know some Starbucks chains are doing 'Aroma Labs' though.
 
#15 ·
lol. Sounds cool though, something maybe independent shops should try. I appreciate a lot do (we have a lot of tasting notes scattered around and love chatting with customers about it) but a lot of indies can be alienating.

One thing though, how many coffees are their to taste at Starbucks, and how is it carried out?

Chris
 
#16 ·
There are a fair few. The tasting starts at six, and th Coffee Master goes around with some tasters, and people who are interested take part, kind've a workshop atmosphere. Unfortunatly, everytime Dane, Ace and I (the three baristas at Coolaboola, not including the boss and his wife) go, the Coffee Master is on holiday. Fittingly, the first time he's there, I've left for Florence...

As for independants, I try my best to learn everything I can about the coffees, teas, sarnies, etc as I can, and I constantly...well...steal food off the counter to taste them with different coffees, so that I can recommend things to customers. A different cafe in Newcastle, which shall remain unnamed, couldn't even tell me where their filter came from. They're a Deli really, but care about the coffee, but they don't get a lot of practice. They know I'm a barista and I try to help where I can, but there's only so much you can do...
 
#17 ·
argh i get so annoyed with place who at the very least can't tell you a country of origin. I've been in places where they can't tell me the continent.

To put it into laymans terms, imagine going into a wine bar that served red wine and white wine, and could tell you nothing more... turn and leave!

Chris
 
#18 ·
I know. I pride myself on being able to tell people the farm our filter comes from
:p
My boss can evn tell you the names of the brothers who own the farm lol. No one really wants to know, so we'll tell anyone who is unlucky enough to stick around too long
:p
 
#19 ·
I agree Chris - I have done that before, the bar staff were so ignorant that they even argued that Cloudy Bay Chardonnay (from the Hawkes Bay) came from Australia. I pointed out to them that I was from New Zealand and know the vineyard owner and he told me I must be mistaken. He was still not convinced even though the bottle had a map of New Zealand on it and the words 'Produce of New Zealand' next to the alcohol content!

Now imagine if he was a barista...
 
#21 · (Edited by Moderator)
James Hoffmann said:
Welcome!

Can I ask an odd Starbucks question: When I was in Dublin I picked up a flyer in the Starbucks I was in (yes I do go inside and buy coffee there - challenge me on it if you will) and it was talking about the top Starbucks taster/coffee guy in the UK. I left the flyer in Dublin by mistake but I really want to track the guy down and e-mail him. Do you have any idea who I am talking about? Seems quite young - late 20s maybe?

Sorry for the oddness!
Yes.. A very odd question! I had to read it twice as the first time I read I thought you were expecting me to know the coffee master of a store in Dublin! As for regional coffee master of the uk, I'll have to have a look for you at work tomorrow, but i'm sure, if you look hard enough on google, yourll find him
:p


chrisweaver_barista said:
I challenge you on it Jim, TO A DUEL!! Muhahaha

But no... Starbucks got me into coffee, used to love it in there!!

I don't understand the whole Coffee Master thing, or the way the starbucks job chain works, so to have it explained would be great!

Chris
Well, basically it works in stages;

Probational Barista --> core 1 trained Barista --> core 2 trained barista --> coffee master of store --> area coffee master --> regional coffee master --> big boss man coffee master on first name terms with the big green fish woman [of course I mean the lovely Green Siron] >

PhilDaCoffeeGuy said:
Hello Ant

Welcome. I am pretty new too

I am trading coffee out your way at a small festie on the first weekend of September.

Try and pop by and you can teach me some of your Starbucks ways (sorry
:)
) i`ll make sure you get through the gate for gratis. let me know

phil

p.s. Have you tried an Aeropress? In the right hands they become quite rewarding
Thank you very much for this invite, and you can count on me being there! If you can let me know exactly when and where! (I'll get the weekend booked off, if they cab spare me for a Saturday!!)

And with regards to the aeropress, no I havnt, but I would like to invest in a nice cheapy one
:D


chrisweaver_barista said:
lol. Sounds cool though, something maybe independent shops should try. I appreciate a lot do (we have a lot of tasting notes scattered around and love chatting with customers about it) but a lot of indies can be alienating.

One thing though, how many coffees are their to taste at Starbucks, and how is it carried out?

Chris
When I do coffee tastings, I brew up two 8cup cafetieres and serve in small 6oz cups to customers on the hand off point, and to other partners who aren't busy. I also always pair food with the coffee[i find lemon and orange muffins pair nicely with Latin American coffees] and offer this to customers and partners to try also [tbh, it's just an excuse to have a much out front while working!
:D
] but it's also a major part of training through Core 1. Sometimes I'll compare contrasting coffees with a food that pairs with each coffee.. Sometimes
:)


Well, I'm off to write a small piece on my life at starbucks [it's not as boring as it seems! Honest!!] join me in the coffee lounge?

Ant
 
#25 ·
SeamusMcFlurry said:
Working till 3?! Pah! Try a 6:45 till 5:30 shift in a small train station kiosk!
:p
lol
Haha, sorry, you obv had it a bit worse then
:)
haha. Nice day? Mine was really good actually!!
:)
freibdly customers! Makes a nice change
:D


PhilDaCoffeeGuy said:
Ok

The event is called Weyfest

Check it out

http://www.weyfest.co.uk
Ok, just had a look, which days are you going? Or both? I would probably only be able to do Sunday tbth.. Were shortstaffed!! :/ and are you sure yourll be able to get my name on the gate?
:D
would be wikked (y)
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top