I am a chef turned barista. I was a chef for a little over twenty years. But, the time had come I needed a change. Not really knowing anything else but the service industry and not wanting to go back to school I didn't know what to do. Then, I just happened upon my new job. I work for a small, mom-and-pop coffee house. First off I couldn't be happier. Now, I know that basically what I'm doing is not a far stretch from what I was doing before. But, I've been learning so much about the extraction process and crème and micro foam. The care and contemplation and understanding that it takes to truly make a better espresso has re-kindled the passion that I once had in the kitchen. I'm having fun again and learning something new. Which brings me to my second point; being a barista is a form of artistic expression and art should be enjoyed. Starbucks has taken all of the art out of espresso. I have thought this for a long time and after reading about some of your experiences I know I am right. Starbucks has turned this long tradition of an artistically made savory drink into a corporately twisted scheme of money making and disguised it as self-expression by mutating it into a half-caf-mocha-iced-crappuccino-monster that only the self-delusional find artistic. Now I'm not totally against flavorings...we have a short list of flavored Lattes that can be served hot or cold, but that is as far as it goes. (And we make our flavorings from scratch.) I guess what I'm saying is that I really do feel for you guys. As a chef and a barista the integrity of food and drink are something I hold very dear. Starbucks has made the barista into a corporate shill. Devoid of any history, tradition or skill. Mired in do's and don’ts and red tape. Find a small coffee shop where self-expression is truly appreciated and not dictated if you really want to be a Barista. Serving espresso beans at Starbucks is like serving foie gras at Chili’s.
Yours Sincerely,
ChefTurnedBarista
I truely feel for you, "partner."
(11 posts) (9 voices)-
Posted 9 months ago #
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Welcome to I Hate Starbucks, ChefTurnedBarista. I know that feel, bro. I desperately wanted working at Starbucks to be as cool as an indy coffee shop where I learn to tamp and pull my own espresso shots.
Nope! Starbucks has bastardized espresso. Starbucks is concerned more about speed of service than quality and pride in handcrafted drinks. Corporate no longer has a human face. The district manager views us retail store partners by profit margins and liabilities, and we are in fear of them taking our jobs due to Ecosure, customer complaints, etc.
Posted 9 months ago # -
I'm a barista turned starbucks employee, so I know of what you speak. I worked in a coffeehouse with awesome, and very talented baristas... and wonderful coffee. It was no mom-and-pop, being extremely established (in Europe anyway) and extremely dedicated to quality. I loved it, and actually took pride in the beautiful drinks I sent out on silver platters lol. Now I am so ashamed of what I do for a living, I only tell people that I work in the airport.
Sadly, I couldn't keep my job at that last coffeehouse, and I had to move. Where I'm living now, it's all Starbucks. And now, all of my talent, and technique are stifled by ridiculous routines... to keep the product consistent, and extremely subpar.
Posted 9 months ago # -
a lot of mcdonald's restaurants around here have renovated, trying to look more like a cafe. i dont know who they think they're kidding.
tim horton's is actually wayyyy worse than starbucks for espresso beverages. i think they use some sort of powdered milk
it's not goodPosted 9 months ago # -
we are overpriced FAST FOOD, i think it's funny when people don't get that.
Posted 9 months ago # -
it is FAST FOOD definitely... I can't deny that. I really did want it to be some cool indie coffee house that was awesome... and it really did feel like that to me until just before my year mark... now i see the corporate light. i alway knew it was all about the money, but i also thought they cared about the product too. they really don't. at all. it makes me sad.
Posted 9 months ago # -
But, but, Romney said "Corporations are people too."
Posted 9 months ago # -
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I would like to say one other thing. A job is a job and I don't hold yours against you. I can understand how it is to be excited to be a part of something only to find out that it is the Devil. Also, sometimes you have to take what you can get. For what ever reason you work at Starbucks I just wanted to extend my sympathy of your frustrations not attack your job. It seems like you all understood but I just wanted to say that.
Maybe this quote will help or make you laugh: "I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would except me as a member." Groucho Marx
Again,
ChefTurnedBaristaPosted 9 months ago # -
<3<3<3<3
Posted 9 months ago # -
Ohhhh mannnn.....I know exactly what you are talking of chefturnedbarista, minus I didn't join to be "that cool indie barista boy" but instead because I heard Starbucks was union where I live, I needed a job, and I got offered the job, my manager at my interview explained that no, Starbucks was no longer union but they offer fair wage increases....blah blah blah.... six months later and I get a measely 10 cents, that is not a fair increase! a month later minimum wage here was increased, mine and everybody elses pay was the same amount. So unfair for the guys whom have been there 4/5 years. Then my ASM at the time, told me, if I applied for the union in my chosen career she'd make my life hell, I applied and got accepted into the union and she did and she made all the other guys lives hell too, I complained and very quickly got transferred to a different store.
Posted 9 months ago #
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