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**Javaphile** · 10 August 2006, 06:56 PM

Re: Thundergods journey

WooHoo!! New toys! Ya gotta love that! [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

Java "Wants a new toy!" phile

**Viviane** · 11 August 2006, 02:33 PM

Re: Thundergods journey

Have fun

**Thundergod** · 15 August 2006, 11:58 PM

Re: Thundergods journey

UPDATE

Shots have been getting better.

Its either the beans improving or my technique or a bit of both. ;-)

I tried a different roast today from a nearby importer.
Not as fresh as my first batch but still getting compliments.

I think my improvement to dosing consistency has contributed to the positive feedback from family and neighbour.

Ive ordered another couple of batches of the fresh roasted stuff.
The last lot tasted better towards the end so Im getting 2 smaller lots roasted a few days apart so I can start using it sooner and have it last longer.

Oh and I also managed to get my hands on some Belaroma drinking chocolate.
I might go try some now.

**Thundergod** · 23 August 2006, 11:31 PM

Re: Thundergods journey

My experience with the Belaroma is documented in the Drinking Chocolate thread.
http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1154853773/27#23

I bought 2 x 250gm of beans from Hazel of coffee Alchemy again.
1 almost a week old for immediate use and one freshly roasted to age while going through the first batch.
That worked out well for me and saves one trip a fortnight.

Tonight a few of the family came over for my wifes birthday.
She was surprised as we kept it a secret.
It was a bigger surprise I think than me cooking.

Anyway, after dinner was the first real test for me.
Not a huge effort.....only 6 drinks.
2 Mugacinos, 1 latte, 2 hot chocolates and 1 mocha.
The Expobar easily kept up with me and Im sure as I get faster it will still not have a problem.

All in all I was very pleased and accepted the compliments regarding both the look of the machine and quality of the drinks.

**Thundergod** · 10 February 2007, 12:56 PM

Re: Thundergods journey

Its been a while but this is the best place for this.
-------------------

I mentioned in another thread my experience at a job interview for a part time barista position, to keep me going until I find a full time position as a quality management system specialist.

To recap, the first question was "Have you worked in a café before?", answer "No", response "See you then".
I convinced him to let me make him a coffee and the end result was him asking me if he could call me when business picked up again.

What bothered me was the dirty steam wand and the half full jugs of used milk in the fridge. Ugh!

Well...the saga continues.
I received a phone call yesterday telling me my most recent application for my ideal job was going no further.
Despite an impressive resume and excellent first interview they have found someone a little better.

I was about to head off for an interview for another P/T barista position so I actually went with more resolve to get the job.

Saga details - the boss showed up a minute late but better her than me.
Then she I could go make coffee for half an hour while she went to the bank.
I was left to be monitored by another lady working there.

So, large 3 group, no badging. Mazzer Super Jolly grinder.
Steam wand - disgusting! I instictively reached for the clean cloth and was told "not to worry about that".

I was given a quick run down on which buttons were singles and doubles and how many clicks on the Mazzer.

1st customer - cap - no complaints from minder - no complaints from customer.
2nd customer - ditzy blonde hippy type - soy cap not too hot - no complaints from minder - compliments from blonde.

Next order - 2 caps - complaint from minder - steamed a bit more froth - customers didnt complain and ordered two more a while later. 8-)

Boss did not return after an hour so minder let me go.
I rang boss late that afternoon for feedback.
OK rating from minder - she will speak to recruitment agent on Monday as I was th 3rd applicant shed(?) evaluated. She did tell me she liked my attitude.

In have no idea yet what hours shes proposing and assume the pay is award.
Its fairly close to home and would be better than Centrelinks crap until I can get my airconditioned office and soft chair back.

Oh, its hot behind that counter. Id forgotten. Havent worked in food for over 15 years since last time.

A funny thing is, she asked me the same first question.
Both owners though are stunningly impressed with a picture of my Expobar and Macap.
That seems to basically stop their argument dead in the water and make them willing to give me a go.

I worked out the other day that I must have pulled almost 600 coffees since getting the Expobar last August.

Considering I only made 6 caps in an hour yesterday, thats the equivalent of 3 to 4 weeks work at the last place.

**marky** · 10 February 2007, 01:39 PM

Re: Thundergods journey

Originally posted by Thundergod link=1155193457/0#5 date=1171069002

To recap, the first question was "Have you worked in a café before?", answer "No", response "See you then".

Oh how I loathe that! Experience is important in every job but it isnt everything. And how on earth are you to get experience if no gives you a bloody chance! You could be much better than people with experience. Sorry end rant....

Hope it all goes well TG. Sounds like a place you could not only work at but improve with your knowledge (which people like me envy

) TG Lesson 1: Clean the friggin steam wand after each use!

Careful of those soy drinking hippies – theres a lot of them about.

I have thought about getting a P/T barrista job once I learn a bit more and am a bit more confident. One thing I would be particularly worried about is whether I could be fast enough. TG how have you gone about resolving that? Have you been practising making a large number of different drinks at home as fast as you can?

Cheers
Mark

**JavaB** · 10 February 2007, 01:58 PM

Re: Thundergods journey

Originally posted by Thundergod link=1155193457/0#5 date=1171069002

Steam wand - disgusting! I instictively reached for the clean cloth and was told "not to worry about that".

MMM.... I found out why a steam wand in one cafe over here looked PARTICULARLY disgusting.

They use it to make scrambled eggs..... Chookpoochino I guess..

Good luck with your on going search Thundergod... Just one question. How does being a quality management system specialist sit with working in most cafes..... maybe you could teach them a lot - but would they want to listen? :

**scoota_gal** · 10 February 2007, 02:36 PM

Re: Thundergods journey

I cant believe that in this day and age of so called "Best Hygiene Practices" and "Safe Food Handling Practices" that people are still willing to accept a dirty steam wand and not only a dirty one but one caked with fried milk!! What an absolute shocker, TG...

My tip would be to either just clean the wand anyway, it takes all of a minute or two to get the really crusty stuff off and then let them just see your "best practices" at work. You probably already know how to get the worst of it off, but personally, I use a jug of hot water to soak the wand in. Yes, I do still have to do it too at my work because the younger girls who are there before I get there still let the milk fry onto the wand. However, I will give my boss kudos because she also does not like the wand being glugged up. Ive even seen her have a grumble at her husband because he does the same thing! Its old and bad habits but were slowly changing them. Perhaps youll get a chance to do the same!

Good luck!

**Dimal** · 10 February 2007, 10:39 PM

Re: Thundergods journey

Originally posted by JavaB link=1155193457/0#7 date=1171072710

MMM.... I found out why a steam wand in one cafe over here looked PARTICULARLY disgusting.

They use it to make scrambled eggs..... Chookpoochino I guess..

My God JB,

That would be enough to turn me off cafes forever

.... Ye gads, what a turn off

,

Mal.

**Dimal** · 10 February 2007, 10:42 PM

Re: Thundergods journey

Originally posted by Thundergod link=1155193457/0#5 date=1171069002

Both owners though are stunningly impressed with a picture of my Expobar and Macap.
That seems to basically stop their argument dead in the water and make them willing to give me a go.

Gday TG,

Sounds like you might have your foot in the door there anyway. All the best with that mate and I hope they give you a chance.... Who knows, they might even realise that they too can learn something

,

Cheers mate,
Mal.

**Thundergod** · 11 February 2007, 09:41 PM

Re: Thundergods journey

marky - i have on the odd occasion at home made a few drinks at one sitting.
Its actually becoming more regular as the relos are appreciating the coffee.

And this last place was 6 coffees in that hour.
The two at once went smoothly. ;D

JavaB - as a QMS Specialist Im sure I could teach them a thing or two.
I see making coffee as a minimum CMMi Level 2 activity.
Any level higher than that should get you better and better coffee.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capability_Maturity_Model

And eggs are going nowhere near my steamwand.

scoota - I did clean the wand the minute the girls back was turned.
I also emptied all three PFs and gave them a rinse.

Mal - I hope so. At this stage I need more income than Centrelink is providing.
I hope the days/times will suit (I havent had that discussion with the owner yet).

I was having a chat with Hazel on Friday while stocking up on coffee and she said shed been put in the situation of "doing it their way".
At the end of the day its their cafe.

I know there are a few things that I probably cant change, like the coffee they use (expiry date 10/2008), but I can always keep the machine and grinder clean for a start.
Oh, and keep the milk in the fridge.

**varanid99** · 11 February 2007, 11:09 PM

Re: Thundergods journey

Originally posted by Thundergod link=1155193457/0#5 date=1171069002

I received a phone call yesterday telling me my most recent application for my ideal job was going no further.
Despite an impressive resume and excellent first interview they have found someone a little better.

Thundergod,

good luck on the second barista gig - but after reading that comment....theres a French movie just out on DVD (Not sure of the actual French title, but its called The Ax). If you havent already seen it, it might give you some inspiration.....

cheers

Jason

**Thundergod** · 11 February 2007, 11:53 PM

Re: Thundergods journey

Le Couperet

Thanks.
Food for thought.

**ozscott** · 12 February 2007, 11:25 AM

Re: Thundergods journey

Good luck mate...I reckon that the vast majority of the snobs here would be able to pull better coffees that a lot (not all because there are some tremendous ones) of those working in cafes in Brisbane. I guess the trick is speed - no cafe owner wants someone fussing about. I reckon one month or less of cranking them out and most people would be getting to the speed required in a busy cafe.

Cheers.

PS. I have mates who own busy cafs and the pace can be really shocking!

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