Peter

Deciding to become a Barista was somewhat out of the blue, a bolt from the blue you might say. Occasionally elements of doubt creep in usually during times of high demand when all of you want your coffee yesterday.

Unfortunately I don't have a team of monkeys under the Synesso punching out Ristrettos. At times like this I wonder about my decision and start looking for a shield to hide behind. We are always on show and punters waiting for coffee generally have nothing else to look at but me.

If you want a great coffee made with passion and love, then wait for the Barista to work the machine. Its a science and we are going as fast as we can. The machine I fly is worth $20,000. But it doesn't make espresso by itself.

That said it does not worry me too much anymore because I can handle a rush on my own and still produce a loved coffee.

But at the trying times I recall a moment of clarity.

A senior couple perhaps in their late 70's have been in a couple of times now. They sit by the window, they know me I know them, I know what they drink.

The winter sun warms their gentle faces and they talk quietly, they look so much in love.

Peter is the husband he does not look well, His eyes are sunken and and his skull is showing beneath the skin on his face. He is immaculately dressed with a lemon yellow cardigan, and smart beige trousers. I make their lattes and their food is brought to the table.

They stay for a long time talking and loving. Peter looks sad and I feel he needs something nice. I take a small Petit four from the cabinet and bring it to him. He looks at me with a bemused look basically asking me with his eyes, what? is this for me? is it free? I said nothing, smiled empathatically and nodded.

He ate it with relish, I lost them for a while in a haze of colour and coffee. Sometime later they decide to leave. Peters wife headed directly over to me and said "The coffee was wonderful, Peter really enjoyed his free tart. The food and music were beautiful, and if we were any younger we would of danced for you."

I was speechless.

Upon further visits by this wonderful couple Peters wife confessed to me that Peter has cancer and has not got that long to go.

So when I get busy fueling the public's addiction, and the times get tough, I remember Peter and his wife, and realize I am doing the right thing.

I have not seen Peter in a long time.

The relentless, enjoyable pursuit of coffee excellence

The search for coffee excellence is a triangle, much like the fire triangle which consists of ignition, fuel and oxygen, without one or more of these elements a fire will not exist.

One likens the pursuit of specialty coffee excellence to the same triangle, however the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

The names are Machine and Grinders, superb coffee and a bloody good, passionate Barista.

Remove one of these elements, and the myriad of other external elements and the triangle cracks.

A good Barista fills these cracks with smatterings of awesome espresso, and excellent milk