barista-hero-story
barista-hero
Ray, The Table, Walwsall
When I, and many others who have had the pleasure of being served by, cooked for, working and being a friend of Ray’s, say community, you think of Ray. Community and giving back to it is the heart of her being – and that is what makes her so incredibly worthy of being nominated as La Marzocco’s Barista Champion 2024. As a trend to her commitment to the area in which she grew up, Walsall, she now works for ‘The Table’, a community cafe run by a dedicated team of volunteers with the aid of a handful of paid staff – one of whom being Ray. The Table opened in 2020 in an effort to combat loneliness and isolation in an area that is in the 10th percentile of deprived areas in the entirety of the UK. Committing herself to a place like this is Ray all over. Even when she wasn’t working with them, and at another community focused venue just a street away that’s now since closed, she was a regular supporter who worked closely with them to provide support and even at times cover for them when they most needed it. Ray is now Cafe Manager and is always pushing for the Cafe to survive and thrive to be able to serve the community for as long as possible. She trains volunteers who might not be able to work elsewhere, she gives them confidence, skills and the support they need. Her heart spreads to everyone, as The Table says themselves ‘Everyone deserves a seat’. I knew I needed to put Ray forwards this year when I went in for a Friday afternoon to volunteer, I’ve worked with Coffee for the last 8 years and jumped at the chance to work with her again for a day. I’d had the privilege of working with her in the past and had since become close friends. We got set up, got dialled in, made the mascarpone cream for our Tiramisu special for the day, and then she called all volunteers into the kitchen for a moment of gratitude. We started our day with positivity – she called on each of us to share something we were thankful for that day. Of course, Ray was thankful for all of the amazing volunteers, without which The Table wouldn’t be possible. It’s a moment I haven’t found in anywhere else I’d worked with, and it’s one that will stick with me for a long while to come. I even took it to my own workplace! Ray is the support, positivity and change everyone needs in their life. She shares that with everybody and asks for nothing in return other than the hope you go out and spread that gratitude to others – that’s what being part of a coffee shop is about to Ray. I could list a hundred events she’s ran, a thousand occasions she’s volunteered her own time just to help, a million times she’s given back to people. I think this would end up being a much longer writing if I did! But why Ray. Well, honestly, she is always engaged, in everybody. Ray cares, deeply, about everyone. In the four years I have been lucky enough to know her, she has always been able to strike a conversation and a smile with everyone she serves, staff and patrons alike. Ray listens like no one else, and is always interested in what you have to say. Every customer I think she’s ever interacted with would likely say they remember Ray, not only because they’re presented with a delicious coffee afterwards but because of the conversations she can strike with anyone. I once asked Ray how she could talk with anybody with such ease, she told me something along the lines of ‘I enter every conversation with an open mind to just listen to someone else’s point of view and be able to make an effort understand’. That’s why I am proud to nominate Ray as La Marzocco’s Barista Hero, for her continuing commitment to people, and Coffee is her vehicle to do that.
Ayesha, Market West
I am a regular customer at Market West, and went through a really rough time earlier this year. Ayesha was my only human interaction some days, and just having a reason to leave the house kept me alive. Ayesha has been a listening ear and a sounding post, and has supported me through the roughest times and celebrated my small wins for me. In this period, she has dealt with a loss herself, but has never waivered on being a rock in the community. Ayesha is way more than “just” a barista, she is a counsellor, carer, friend, teacher and supporter to me and many other customers that go to Market West.
Oliver- Wired Coffee and cake
Oliver had a passion for coffee and at the time owned a wedding cake company, in 2018 after putting a plan together and gaining further skills and barista training from Dark woods Coffee, he found the ideal premises in a nearby village, at this point nobody knew but he had recently been diagnosed with testicular cancer, but didn’t want to go public with this, as he was on a mission to create his dream coffee shop and didn’t want people feeling sorry for him, his dream was to create a friendly welcoming space where people from all backgrounds, religions, ethnicity could all come together and enjoy 2 of life’s pleasures, coffee and cake , he wanted all the cakes to be baked onsite and the coffee to be funky and exciting showcasing the world of speciality coffee to experts and newcomers alike , just making a nice place for people to meetup discuss their thoughts, relax and enjoy one another’s company, forgetting about all their worries whilst slurping on a good brew, in lockdown he was so concerned about the customers that he setup an online coffee shop, inviting anybody that liked, to make a brew get on zoom and have a chat just so they weren’t feeling isolated, inviting special guest speakers on a Sunday morning, there were barista champions, tea experts , roasteries, and even a triple world champion cyclist logging in, he has since setup a local community walking group from the shop setting off once a month in the evening for a stroll, chat and pint afterwards, and last week he setup a fundraising event on his day off to help a local charitable trust get some much needed funds, also he has pushed himself into coffee education, becoming an SCA professional barista, which he is super proud of as he’ll always admit he’s not the academic type, so the exams can be quite challenging, he loves going to coffee events to meet like-minded people, and nothing is too much for him if anyone needs any help with coffee skills, customers are always asking for tips and advice and often end up behind the counter getting some free tutoring, he loves working with the local roastery to create seasonal blends for the shop, and working alongside coffee growers and roasters internationally, two of his proudest moments have been when coffee growers from Panama and Colombia paid a visit to the shop to taste their coffees in his blend, he was over the moon, as he always contacts the producers that supply the beans for our blends and has now become friends with several of them, a final mention has to go to his cakes which are baked fresh every week, super tasty and delicious, and now I am extremely happy to say , he was finally given the all clear from his illness after 5 years and didn’t complain once, I would be grateful if you could consider him for this award, as any of our customers will tell you, he is a local legend that has created an amazing community of customers and friends to all come together to appreciate his banter, entertainment and amazing coffee, thanks, Katie
Kane, Clubhouse Coffee
Kane is an unstoppable force who puts everything into his work. Through his passion, he has created a community of coffee-loving cyclists in Skipton. He is an advocate for men’s mental health and encourages people to talk. In particular, when we lost a member of the community at a tragically young age, his coffee shop became a meeting place for friends to gather and to remember, and Kane was there to listen to everyone. Even though that took a toll on him, he pushed on and he was there for the community.
He is just a fantastic friend and a pleasure to be around.
Laura, Moi Outside
Laura (& Chris) have built something really special in Hebden Bridge. A space that leads with coffee but means so much more. It’s a space that brings together outdoor sports fans, nature lovers, creatives and more all through the promise of a good brew. They’re constantly platforming and celebrating community groups in a way that is super inviting and joyful. If I could hang out there all day I would. Plus Tux is the coolest pooch in the Calder Valley.
Home barista hero
Emily, Home Barista
My wife Emily is a wonderful home barista and loves to make different coffees and teas for our friends and family. We often host a ‘home coffee shop’ for our group of friends when they visit and she knows everyone’s coffee orders. There is so much love put into it through the little details: She often puts cute stencil patterns on top of cappuccinos in cocoa powder, and uses different fun ice cubes in iced lattes for different occasions, (ie love hearts at valentines, pumpkins and skull ice for Halloween etc). She even sometimes bakes cookies or cupcakes to go with the coffees and always makes sure they’re something everyone can enjoy, as several of our friends have different allergies or dietary requirements.
The thought and preparation that go into all of this are how she shows her love.
She recently had surgery and it meant that instead our friends were coming over and making the drinks for her, and able to show their love back to her which was wonderful.
Seeing all the mismatched mugs of mochas and lattes lined up always reminds me of community with our wonderful friends and family and I would love for her to get recognition for showing her love to everyone else through this.
George, Home Barista
George has recently started his own theatre company (COMMON) and a few weekends ago he had his first sell out theatrical event!
The road to this event was hard and it stands as a real triumph to his determination and drive.
In December of last year George suffered from a nervous breakdown and things became very serious. George spent a lot of time in therapy and worked through his anxiety.
Even at his worse, at his very low, he’d make me a coffee on our machine. This little gesture showed that although my george might be momentarily lost, his love and spirit was still there.
Tom, Home Barista
I knew Tom from my local gym and we always exchanged pleasantries and jokes, which would mainly be geared around film quotes and the constant necessity/desire for a good coffee to get through any workout and day.
At this point I was new to coffee as a drink, let alone making espresso. I embarrassingly had to admit I was drinking instant and an unnamed capsule format of ‘coffee’.
Me and my wife were trying for our child at the time which was proving frustrating and stressful. Then all of a sudden we then found out to great delight that we were pregnant with our son. 2 days passed and then lockdown happened. In this moment of unease, I received a message “I’ve got something I want to give you’……
Tom had just purchased himself a Linea Mini (beautiful, in white with custom wood knobs and paddle), he gifted me his old espresso machine and grinder.
Fast forward 4 years, I’m now the proud owner of my own Linea Micra (in yellow, the colour choice of my now 4 year old son) Espresso is now my hobby and an excuse to constantly have a good chat with someone I now consider a close and hopefully lifelong friend.
He’s also inspired me to continue the legacy of passing on previous machines to set up another unwitting friend to discover the joy of espresso!
We can say it’s about Coffee, shots and barista(ing) but really it’s a catalyst for friendship!