Born in Germany. Grew up in New Jersey. Co-Founder/CEO Cafe Grumpy. Q Grader.
– When did Grumpy open and what’s the story behind?
2005 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. My husband and I would ride our bikes around the city searching for good coffee and couldn’t find any!
– What’s your specialty and what makes you different?
We take coffee seriously but not ourselves.
– What was your first coffee experience?
In highschool, my friends and I would hang out at diners (in New Jersey) for hours, talking over endless cups of diner coffee.
– What was your best coffee experience?
Every morning is my best coffee experience when I have my first cup of coffee. Sometimes I go to sleep looking forward to the coffee I will drink in the morning.
– Do you prepare coffee at home ? If yes, what method do you use?
At home, I use a french press or Chemex. (But I live one block away from one of our cafes so I usually just go there!)
– How do you like your coffee? Black, sugar and milk, iced, vietnamese style,…?
In the morning, I start with a cappuccino if I am having it to stay or a brewed coffee (black) if I’m heading to the subway.
– How would you qualify yourself as coffee drinker (occasional, heavy, addict…)?
I drink at least three cups a day but taste more because of my job.
– Have you always been into the coffee industry? If not, what was your previous job?
Previously I worked in restaurants, galleries, offices… I’m thankful to work in coffee because there is always good coffee to drink at work!
– Do you have another passion or a hobby besides coffee?
Photography
– What other place would you recommend, anywhere in the world?
I was impressed by the coffee shops in Berlin last time I was there (briefly). Also, I travel with our coffee buyer once a year and have loved our trips to Honduras especially Benjamin Paz’s coffee shop El Dorao.
– What is/are your favorite website(s) to get information about coffee?
I love receiving newsletters from Roast Magazine and Coffee Talk. I also check Twitter for any interesting leads.
– What would you say to people who don’t know much about coffee?
Don’t be afraid to ask your barista questions. Coffee shops shouldn’t be intimidating, they should be a place people can learn about coffee and enjoy a well-prepared beverage.
