My fellow employees

I really get on with almost everyone I work with and its is usually a pleasure to go into the store, either to work or to grab a drink. We all chat and get along yet we never really go out together, we used to before the core members of our team left (very sad!) and there were parties and things.

The most upsetting thing to happen to our team was the opening of a new store not far away, this meant that our team was split in two. I still haven't gotten over the loss of so many close work mates and because of the lack of team activities and outings I hardly ever get to see the one I don't work with!! 

I think it is lovely that a group of people thrown together from all different backgrounds and ethnicities can get along, create a great atmosphere and above all, create great coffee!

My Favourite Drinks

As a Barista I have tried and sampled with customers all of the drinks that my particular coffee shop has on its menu (as well as some made up ones), but that does not mean that I have a strict allegiance to my coffee shop - I am a fan of them all. 

Each coffee shop specialises in something and has at least one outstanding drink, I will detail the highs and lows of the main high street coffee brands for you; Caffe Nero, Costa, Starbucks and Coffee Republic. 

1) Caffee Nero (www.caffenero.com)

-The best drink by far is a latte with vanilla syrup, Caffe Nero uses the best syrups in the world! And, they are generous with them.

-On the website you can buy cute 'Barista Kits'

-A regular semi-skimmed latte from Caffe Nero with contain 69 kcals (on website)

-Won the Which? magazine coffee survey (www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3245914.ece)

-They put 2 shots of espresso coffee in every coffee drink unless you ask otherwise - this can be good or bad..

-It is rumored that they re-steam milk...

-Nero have a really good loyalty card, buy nine drinks get one free! 

2)Costa Coffee (www.costa.co.uk)

-My favourite drink in Costa is the hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream, Nero and Starbucks do not give marshmallows and Coffee Republic give pathetic ones.

-They do good syrups :)

-Costa seem reluctant to give out drink nutritional advice, could not find it on their site.

-Don't always grasp the Decaf concept - emphasise it!

-Pretty and clean stores

-Can get a 'Costa card' to load money on to

3)Starbucks Coffee Company (www.starbucks.co.uk)

-My favourite drink in Starbucks is the Caramel Macchiato. Starbucks describes this as "foamed milk marked with espresson and vanilla, then topped with a distinctive caramel pattern. Sweet, buttery and intense." Perfection!

-Tall semi-skimmed latte has 148 kcals. Is Nero lying? How can it have so few calories??

-Does not re-steam milk

-Free papers in most stores

-Quick service and the little green apron donning staff call you drink out really loud so you know it has been ordered right.

-The syrups suck

4)Coffee Republic (www.coffeerepublic.co.uk)

-My favourite drinks are the cold drinks, they do like Rolo shakes and Jaffa shakes, so they are really good for the non-coffee lovers, or those with kids.

-Can't find nutritional info :(:(

-They make the paninis etc fresh behind the counter 

-Usual have free news papers

-Don't put the lids on to go drinks, good or bad? you decide

Celebrity Coffee Drinkers

We are lucky enough in our store to get a few celebrity sightings. Does anyone remember Jon Tickle from Big Bro and a presenter on Brainiac? Well he came into our store and asked for a cup of hot water.. we hoped we were helping an experiment, not being experimented on!

Sick Days

I really wish people would not abuse the system and call in sick if they don't need too, it just screws it up for the rest of your team. 

I visited my local coffee shop today only to find it in utter chaos with two members of my team pulling double shifts to cover for two students that had called in sick (It's exam time). The whole place was overrun with irate customers and I could only look on glad I was not on shift!

Oh on the way out smily man opened the door for me, how very kind, I must remember to smile extra when I serve him next.

Mr Latte and Mr Extra Shot Cappuccino

Mr Latte and Mr Extra-Shot Cappuccino are such a lovely couple, they always come in and order the same drinks with a huge smile and great fashion sense. Mr Extra-Shot Cappuccino is a gym bunny and is always asking for calorific information which I am more than willing to discuss as calories are my personal enemies and therefore my specialist subject! Mr Latte is not as nice as his lovable partner and always seems a little grumpy. 

And perhaps now I know why, today I spied with my little eye Mr Latte out and about walking three dogs (all absolutely adorable) and carrying a 'poo' bag daintily and disdainfully between his thumb and forefinger and holding the terrible thing as far from himself as possible. Where was Mr Extra-Shot Cappuccino to help him out...?

I suck at making pretty coffee, unlike some people..

It has been in the news of late that some people can do some pretty cool stuff with coffee. However, I am not one of these people as yet, I will endeavor to become a coffee artist and create masterpieces like this:

A confession from a coffee connoisseur

Tasting different coffees is an important if not essential part of any Barista's job. We must know their body, their aroma, their acidity and which foods may compliment it (upselling, upselling, upselling). 

My confession is of the worst kind and for which I should be tarred and feathered... I can barely tell the difference between different coffees. I know that there is a difference, but to me it is simply coffee and that is how it will remain.