LOOK WHO’S GOT A NEW JOB IN COFFEE
Updated: Apr 19, 2021
What a wild weekend! A new job, a new space, a new world of coffee!
Ever wondered what it's like to work in coffee? Come with me and I'll give you an insight into a day in the life of a Barista.
"Rise and shine at 5am, of course make some coffee, eat some food, get ready, jump on the Motorbike. Time to ride 20 miles to my new working life at an epic new Roastery."
First Weekend
Rise and shine at 5am, of course make some coffee, eat some food, get ready, jump on the Motorbike. Time to ride 20 miles to my new working life at an epic new Roastery.
Ritual Coffee Roasters is an exciting place, they've been Roasting beans for a few years, but recently moved to a larger location in Cheltenham. They have also opened up a coffee bar for weekend openings. As you walk into the unit on Lansdown Industrial Estate, you are greeted with the wild, neon, work of art, the La Marzocco Strada. It's so loud you can't ignore it, and it's definitely a feature piece of this place!
Time to get everything setup for the day
First things first, dialling in the 3 espresso grinders. Our House Espresso blend (Columbia, El Salvador and Costa Rica), our Single Origin Ethiopian, and our Decaf from Brazil. Dialling in was made super fast and simple with the Mahlkonig E65S grinders. Once the coffees were dialled in and tasting great, it was a case of making sure everything was stocked up, such as take away cups, Oat milk (Minor Figures, yum!) and cakes , and basically just zipping around making sure everything is presentable and clean (very important, FYI i'm a neat freak!) Finally, make a cheeky brew on the Strada before those doors open!
"Once the Coffees were dialled in and tasting great, it was a case of making sure everything was stocked up, and basically just zipping around making sure everything was presentable and clean."
The La Marzocco Strada is a dream machine. I've used a fair few Commercial machines in busy enviroments, but I have to say, this machine wins! The main feature I love, is the built in scales under each grouphead. No messing around having to turn the scales back on, fit it under the cup, tare it off, will the cup fit under the portafilter now? Oh no. Portafilter in, cup on the inbuilt scales on the drip tray, pull your shot. Boom. Job done. The machine tells you all the information on the screen. It also benefits from a double insulated/cold touch steam wand. Yep, no more burning my hands on the steam arm, happy days!
Time To Open Those Shutters!
Off we went, a steady trickle of customers. Lots of new faces, and many I recognised from other coffee shops I've worked at in the past. People were magnetised to the bold Strada, and the cameras came out, filmed coffee pours , the brew bar, and photographed their coffees. Everyone loved seeing the Coffee Roaster behind too and the fact they were at the place the beans are roasted, and then drinking the finished product. I feel it made the coffee drinking experience so much more than just grabbing a coffee and going. Things picked up quickly from there, and before I knew it, it was 2pm. Time flies when you're having fun!
"Off we went, a steady trickle of Customers. People were magnetised to the bold Strada, and the cameras came out""
The Woozy Pig are an awesome little food place that serve the most amazing burgers and meats (there's veggie options too!) but all day, the smell of their food combined with coffee brewing really was just irresistible. Those things combined with the music in the unit, peoples smiling faces (behind the masks!) and just seeing everyone so pumped about this new space, really made it so exciting!
So? How Did It Go?
Honestly, the weekend flew by so fast. I met so many awesome people, and a few Instagram followers, brewed some amazing coffee, I just really felt like I was at home instantly and loving every minute of it.
The Easter weekend opening was a huge success, and smiles all round from everyone made it even better! Beers were enjoyed from Deya Brewery located just behind our unit to celebrate. What a weekend.