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Job - Frosted Java Seeking Manager: Frisco, TX
via email: Ruchi writes,
I am opening a a new upscale coffee shop in Frisco Tx. Next to stonebrair Mall with a drive thru. Need a manager with experence to run this store and grow with the company. Latte art experience is good but we will train to achiieve it. Reply on e-mail Ruchi_usa@yahoo.com or call for interview - at 214-207-4855. Thanks
This job has been posted to our Jobs page. Thanks, Ruchi!
Hawaii Bill 361 Banning GMO’s passed, vetoed, and then passes!
This is something I’ve been following from the good folks on the alt.coffee newgroup for awhile (specifically from the people at SmithFarms in Kona).
They just keep fighting the good fight out in the Pacific. They tried to pass jurisdiction that required a specific percentage of Kona coffee to be in a blend that can be labled “Kona Blend” a good whila go, and it failed. ( TX-Coffee.com|Kona Coffee and Kona Blends: A plea for your help (old site) ) + ( TX-Coffee.com|Kona Coffee Legislation Update (old site) )
Then, there is Bill 361:
Basic facts:
Bill# 361 protects taro and coffee from genetic engineering on the Big Island. It was unanimously passed by the Hawai’i County Council on October 8th in response to overwhelming public support and testimony.
via: http://www.hawaiiseed.org/news/hawaii-county-mayor-vetoes-no-gmo-bill
I read just the other day that the bill’s veto was overridden, so the bill has effectively passed!
Great news for our coffee growing friends(and taro farmers) in Hawaii!
I just wanted to pass this along.
Coffee N Cream Grand Opening (2nd location): Allen, TX
I received an email today from the folks at Coffee N Cream to let me know about the grand opening of their second location. (I didn’t know they had one in the works in the first place!)
They write,
Please come out N celebrate with Neighbors N Friends the Grand Opening of our newest Coffee N Cream!!When: Saturday, November 15, 7-10p (Come and go)Where: The Village At Allen 190 E. Stacy Rd, Allen TX 75002 (Hwy 75 and Stacy Rd)Live music featuring Nicole Conrad!We’ll be debuting some of our CNC Own Baked(tm) creations - fresh from our kitchen…a Coffee N Cream first! Cookies…banana bread…cupcakes…muffins, N more. Some yummy hors d’oeuvres too.We look forward to seeing you Saturday night!Warmly - Mary and John
New Poll: Does Latte Art Matter?
It seems that latte art is becoming more and more commonplace as more baristas take it upon themselves to master this decoration of espresso based milk drinks that seems to have become a phenomenon of popularity and a perceived mark of achievement. (whether this is true or not is quite debatable, and if you so choose to, you can debate it in the forums)
So, the poll is in place. What do you think? When you are visiting a shop, is latte art expected? If they are not pouring art, do you feel something is missing? Do you consider latte art a novelty not worth paying attention to?
Cast your vote, and tell us what you think. The poll can be found on the sidebar to the left of this post.
Fredericksburg Gourmet Coffee & Tea: Fredricksburg, TX
I received an email a few days ago from this roaster-retailer asking to be added to our list(s).
The message was short,
15 Years in business. Diedrich Roaster
Coffee, Fair Trade, Organic,Water Decaf, non-alergenic Flavors
60-70 loose teas
Their website has lead me to believe that they roast in-house on a Diedrich. They also push the “fresh” agenda as is evidenced by this image taken from the “coffee” tab on their website.
They have quite a variety of coffees on hand, it seems! Many more than most roasters in our list.
Fredricksburg Gourmet Coffee & Tea has been added to our List of Roasters and our List of Retailers.
The 2008 SCRBC is History!
Congrats to the Podium finishers!
1. Clancy Rose (Cuveé Coffee)
2. Patrick Peirce (Caffé Medici)
3. Lorenzo Perkins (Caffé Medici)
We had a lot more competitors this year, and it was really a competition! It was exciting to see the overall improvement of the regional competition caliber, and it was nice to finally put a few faces to a few names.
It was also nice to see some more judges from OUR region as well. Last year, I think Chuck Gutilla was the only one. This year, we had Bill Giffen, Chuck G. again, Aaron Heil, and a few others whose names I was not previously familiar with, so forgive me if I’ve left you out. (you can let me know, and I’ll add you to the list!)
The winner gets a trip to the USBC in Portland, OR in the spring.
Thanks to all the competitors who came to strut their stuff, both returning as well as new competitors. We hope to see at least this many again next year. Viva Barista!
A Random, Yet Deserved, Quote of the Day v. 10-24-08
Space is the enemy here, and geopolitical boundaries seem to be the enemy of our coalescence. Because the entity is known as “Texas” it seems to make sense that we should all be one big happy family. But as the interstate sign makes clear as you cross into Texas from Louisiana, this really is a big, big place. The sign reads: WELCOME TO TEXAS! Beaumont = 15 miles; Houston = 150 miles; El Paso = 798 miles. Thus, we have to make the best of our situation by grabbing every opportunity for community, no matter how frequency and geographically-challenged and those opportunities are.
- Aaron Blanco
“coming up” - http://coffeepress.blogspot.com
SCRBC Begins Next Week.
There is a better mix of competitors this year, with folks from Austin, more from Lubbock (yay!), from Denton, Spring (from Austin last year), College Station, Webster, Dallas, Tulsa OK, and Cabot AK.
Last year, it was a TX love fest with folks from Austin, one from Dallas, and me, from Lubbock.
I’m liking the diversity! We need to get more Louisiana love into the mix.
In the Southwest Regional, there is only one company listed as of the last official update from Michelle Campbell. That company is Cartel Coffee Lab. Four competitors from CCL! (It’ll be good to see JS again).
The reigning champ, Patrick Pierce, will be the first to go on at 11:16am on Friday, Oct. 31.
The competition is free to attend, and we would like to encourage EVERYONE who is able and interested in watching to COME. Yes, it’s a competition, but it’s more than that. It’s community building, and an educational experience for all. It’s one of the best ways to build our regional ties so we can raise the proverbial quality tide in unison.
I have some good stuff coming. I apologize for the lack of new posts. I’ve been quite busy, but I’ll try to get some new things up soon.
Thanks for reading.
Cappuccino Movie - Dates and Times Update for Houston and Dallas
Remember this post? “The Perfect Cappuccino” Movie Screens in Texas!
Well, Amy emailed again to fill in the details on the screenings in Houston and Dallas. Unfortunately, the Houston screening is happening right smack in the middle of the South Central Regional Barista Competition, though if you are in the Houston area and are not planning to make the trek to Austin for the competition, be sure to check it out!
THE PERFECT CAPPUCCINO at Real Films, Houston, TX
Saturday, November 1, reception at 7 pm, screening at 8 pm, Q&A with the filmmaker at 9:30 pm
The Aurora Theater, 800 Aurora Avenue, Houston, TX 77009
Tickets: $10.00 online or $10.00 cash/check at the door. Ticket price includes free refreshments: beer, soft drinks, water, and popcorn (and hopefully coffee too! We are working on it…)
Door Prize: A signed DVD of the film
Local Sponsors: Catalina Coffee and Cuvee Coffee
For more info, please visit www.realfilms.org
THE PERFECT CAPPUCCINO at the Dallas Video Festival
Sunday, November 9, 10:30 am
Angelika Film Center
5321 E. Mockingbird Lane
Dallas, TX 75206
214-826-3300
For info/tickets, please visit www.videofest.org
Austin Roasting Company - Hiring Sales Rep: Austin, TX
I received an email from Jess at Austin Roasting Company yesterday asking if I knew anyone who would be interested in being a sales representative. I don’t personally, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any TX-Coffee readers who wouldn’t be.
Jess writes,
Jason,
I’m going to put a post on Craigslist this week for a Sales Rep but thought I would check and see if you know anyone that might be interested.
Would be in and around Austin, it’s commission only to start, but could be good part time gig for someone who might be interested in the coffee business.
-JH
This has been posted to the Jobs section.
You can contact ARC at info(AT)austinroastingcompany.com
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