– Can you please introduce yourself in a few words.
My name is Angie and I’m the Lead Barista at Blue Bottle’s Berry Street cafe.
– What’s your story in the coffee industry?
I’ve been in the industry for eight years; first as a Starbucks barista, a roaster for Allegro Coffee and then finally, a lead barista at Blue Bottle.
– What’s your specialty and what makes you different?
I specialize in hospitality. The best part of my job is connecting with people, especially with regulars who I get to see every morning. There’s something special about building relationships over coffee.
– What was your first coffee experience?
My grandfather used to drink coffee out of pottery mugs. My first experience was taking sips from it as a child and thinking, « I don’t know what that is, but I want more of it. »
– How/when have you discovered about specialty coffee?
I grew up in Miami, where speciality coffee was quite scarce. On one of my first trips to New York as a teenager, I was served latte art at a little shop in the West Village. I had never seen anything like it. I thought it was out of this world.
– What was your best coffee experience?
My best coffee experience was at Pinhole Coffee in San Francisco. From the cafe design to the hospitality, I loved every minute of it.
– Do you prepare coffee at home ? If yes, what method do you use?
Yes. I have a lot of methods, but I prefer a Chemex.
– How do you like your coffee? Black, sugar and milk, iced, vietnamese style,…?
In the morning, I drink drip coffee. If it’s a single origin, I drink it black. If it’s a blend, I love a dash of cream. In the afternoon and evening, I drink espressos and macchiatos.
– How would you qualify yourself as coffee drinker (occasional, heavy, addict…)?
So heavy that my mother is concerned.
– Have you always been into the coffee industry? If not, what was your previous job?
I work as a freelance music journalist, but coffee has always been my main gig.
– Do you have another passion or a hobby besides coffee?
Writing, collecting records and eating cheese.
– What other place would you recommend, anywhere in the world (coffee or not)?
In South Miami, there’s a French restaurant called Cafe Pastis. My brother is the chef, and he’s very talented.
– What is/are your favorite website(s) to get information about coffee?
I get my coffee news from Sprudge. Last February, they launched a fundraiser that raised $423,373.34 for the ACLU. It was incredible.
– What would you say to people who don’t know much about coffee?
I’d start the conversation as breezy and welcoming as possible in order to not alienate them and make them feel like they don’t know anything. Then I’d tell them it’s the best thing in the world.