Dave has been involved in barista and latte art judging and recently become World Certified in the latter, find out more about him here…
What is your earliest coffee related experience?
Being about 7 or 8 years old at my Oma and Opa’s house and being offered a Coffee….along with Salted liquorice etc. It wasn’t seen as abnormal in a Dutch household. I used to ask for a coffee and get orange juice at other kid’s houses and be really put out by it. I get it now.
When / why did you first get working in coffee?
I first worked “around” coffee at Havana bar in Wellington back when it was attached to Havana Coffee works. I used to have the odd Rum with Geoff out the back but my memory of the coffee was that we used to say the machine was broken when people wanted a coffee…I wasn’t exactly a fan. I really fell into it properly up in Auckland through an on-going association with Caffe L’affare and them needing a man on the ground…ended up being me.
What led you to becoming a barista?
Necessity…you can’t sell coffee if you can’t make it.
What is the best part of your job?
Hanging out with my team and my clients.
Talk us through a typical work day.
Arrive either at the office or direct to a café. It really could go any which way…I could be up at 5am and in at a café getting a service done on a machine before they open or I could in at the office…it’s all over the show as needed.
What are your roles outside of making coffee?
Family, friends, food, Gym……in that order most probably.
What is your favourite brew method and/or coffee origin and why?
It’s all good stuff. I’m not going to answer that.
Tulip or rosetta?
Tulip… a well poured, clearly defined tulip.
What would be your dream ‘coffee experience’?
A trip to Origin….haven’t knocked that one on the head yet.
Do you have a ‘coffee crush’ (person you most respect in the business)?
I wouldn’t use the word crush but if I had to pick a person I’d say Duane Sorenson from Stumptown. Just loved the Stumptown Aesthetic when I was in the States.