Saturday, September 11, 2010
Latte Art - An overview of Designs!
I love the look of a great design! Latte Art Takes Skill and Practice to make it just right!
A Good Barista will make your crummy drink taste great! A GREAT Barista will make it taste superb and look like a million bux!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Miss Swan At Starbucks
A Little Funny Moment to Lighten up your Day!
Ms. Swan was a comic Genius on Mad TV!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Pay for Starbucks Coffee with Your BlackBerry
Pay for Starbucks Coffee with Your BlackBerry
Gotta check this out!
Its soo sad that all these fun Apps are created for Select US Stores and not a single thing for Canadian Stores! LOL! I guess were not good enough for them! LOL!
Gotta check this out!
Its soo sad that all these fun Apps are created for Select US Stores and not a single thing for Canadian Stores! LOL! I guess were not good enough for them! LOL!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Robusta vs. Arabica (Beans)
Robusta vs. Arabica
There are two basic categories into which all species of coffee trees can be sorted. Although there are several varieties of each—each variety having its own character—this division into two large categories is useful for understanding the difference between a gourmet cup of coffee and an ordinary cup. High quality blends consist of 100% Arabica beans. Lower quality, cheaper blends may have some proportion of Robusta beans, or they may consist entirely of Robusta. Arabica beans produce a superior taste in the cup, being more flavorful and complex than their Robusta counterparts. Robusta beans tend to produce a more bitter brew, with a musty flavor and less body. This distinction being made, you can see why high quality coffees should consist of 100% Arabica beans.
So why use Robusta at all? Well, there are several reasons these beans are grown and used. First of all, we have the economical concerns driving the farmer to grow the crop. Robusta coffee trees produce their first crops within about two to three years of being planted. Arabica trees require about four to five years to produce any fruit. So the farmer has an inducement to grow the faster growing variety to take advantage of upswings in the price of coffee. Also, the Robusta coffee tree can grow under a larger variety of environmental conditions than can the Arabica. It is more tolerant of cold and grows well in a wider range of altitudes. Second, roasters buy the beans because they are generally cheaper than the Arabica beans. They can be sold to less discriminating consumers in the pre-roasted, pre-ground, pre-staled cans of supermarket “coffee”. They can be brewed and freeze-dried to make instant “coffee” without worrying about degrading an already questionable flavor (sorry to use the quotes again, I just can’t help myself). They can be used in blends with Arabica beans to make the blend cheaper for the roaster while still being able to make the claim that the blend includes Arabica beans. Finally, Robusta beans are higher in caffeine than Arabica beans and fuel the addiction many of us already suffer from. Of course, all of what I write here is a gross oversimplification but since it’s all I know about these beans, it will have to do.
But I haven't quite exhausted my knowledge yet. I do know a little about Arabica beans and how they differ from Robusta. Arabica beans grow more slowly than Robusta but demand a higher price on the coffee commodity market. They are more limited in terms of where they can be grown, demanding a very precise temperature range and annual rainfall. I don’t know the exact range or I would tell you what it is. Also, they tend to do best, and produce the best bean, at higher altitudes. In fact, high altitude beans carry an extra premium because they are thought to contain more of the substances that make coffee so complexly flavorful than beans grown at lower altitudes. Perhaps this is because they grow more slowly the higher up the mountain they are planted. Varieties of Arabica beans are grown all over the world and the different flavor characteristics produced by each growing region are distinctive. Flavor can vary within a growing region due to factors such as weather, altitude, soil type, soil richness and whether there are shade trees on the finca (or coffee plantation). In addition, a coffee’s flavor can be affected by the processing methods used to separate the beans from the fruit. It is these varietal characteristics of the Arabica bean that makes it such a sought after product and many of the finer small roasters cup (that is, roast and taste) batches of coffee before purchasing it. For all of these reasons, the Arabica bean is good coffee.
But hold on, you say, don't the French and the Italians use Robusta beans in their fine blends of coffee? Actually, yes they do, and I'm delighted that you pointed it out. This is where we leave the realm of the coffee drinker who believes there is one true
way to caffeinated salvation and enter the realm of the coffee agnostic. I know intellectually that coffee I don't like can be good, but I'm just not sure I believe it. In France (so I have heard) they sometimes use a blend of beans that is 55% Arabica and 45% Robusta. To each his own. This is also the country where they willingly add roasted chicory root as an adulterant. They like it that way so for them it’s an acceptable blend of coffee. The Italians, too, use Robusta in their blends, probably because of its purported ability to improve the crema head on a cup of espresso. I don’t know what blend is most common in Italy but I have read that a 10% inclusion of Robusta can have the desired effect on the crema of your espresso.
Robusta countries:
Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Angola, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Timor, Borneo, Vietnam, and Celebes.
Arabica countries:
Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Hawaii, Yemen, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Papua New Guinea.
Combination countries:
Brazil and India.
(Info from .... http://kaffee.netfirms.com)
There are two basic categories into which all species of coffee trees can be sorted. Although there are several varieties of each—each variety having its own character—this division into two large categories is useful for understanding the difference between a gourmet cup of coffee and an ordinary cup. High quality blends consist of 100% Arabica beans. Lower quality, cheaper blends may have some proportion of Robusta beans, or they may consist entirely of Robusta. Arabica beans produce a superior taste in the cup, being more flavorful and complex than their Robusta counterparts. Robusta beans tend to produce a more bitter brew, with a musty flavor and less body. This distinction being made, you can see why high quality coffees should consist of 100% Arabica beans.
So why use Robusta at all? Well, there are several reasons these beans are grown and used. First of all, we have the economical concerns driving the farmer to grow the crop. Robusta coffee trees produce their first crops within about two to three years of being planted. Arabica trees require about four to five years to produce any fruit. So the farmer has an inducement to grow the faster growing variety to take advantage of upswings in the price of coffee. Also, the Robusta coffee tree can grow under a larger variety of environmental conditions than can the Arabica. It is more tolerant of cold and grows well in a wider range of altitudes. Second, roasters buy the beans because they are generally cheaper than the Arabica beans. They can be sold to less discriminating consumers in the pre-roasted, pre-ground, pre-staled cans of supermarket “coffee”. They can be brewed and freeze-dried to make instant “coffee” without worrying about degrading an already questionable flavor (sorry to use the quotes again, I just can’t help myself). They can be used in blends with Arabica beans to make the blend cheaper for the roaster while still being able to make the claim that the blend includes Arabica beans. Finally, Robusta beans are higher in caffeine than Arabica beans and fuel the addiction many of us already suffer from. Of course, all of what I write here is a gross oversimplification but since it’s all I know about these beans, it will have to do.
But I haven't quite exhausted my knowledge yet. I do know a little about Arabica beans and how they differ from Robusta. Arabica beans grow more slowly than Robusta but demand a higher price on the coffee commodity market. They are more limited in terms of where they can be grown, demanding a very precise temperature range and annual rainfall. I don’t know the exact range or I would tell you what it is. Also, they tend to do best, and produce the best bean, at higher altitudes. In fact, high altitude beans carry an extra premium because they are thought to contain more of the substances that make coffee so complexly flavorful than beans grown at lower altitudes. Perhaps this is because they grow more slowly the higher up the mountain they are planted. Varieties of Arabica beans are grown all over the world and the different flavor characteristics produced by each growing region are distinctive. Flavor can vary within a growing region due to factors such as weather, altitude, soil type, soil richness and whether there are shade trees on the finca (or coffee plantation). In addition, a coffee’s flavor can be affected by the processing methods used to separate the beans from the fruit. It is these varietal characteristics of the Arabica bean that makes it such a sought after product and many of the finer small roasters cup (that is, roast and taste) batches of coffee before purchasing it. For all of these reasons, the Arabica bean is good coffee.
But hold on, you say, don't the French and the Italians use Robusta beans in their fine blends of coffee? Actually, yes they do, and I'm delighted that you pointed it out. This is where we leave the realm of the coffee drinker who believes there is one true
way to caffeinated salvation and enter the realm of the coffee agnostic. I know intellectually that coffee I don't like can be good, but I'm just not sure I believe it. In France (so I have heard) they sometimes use a blend of beans that is 55% Arabica and 45% Robusta. To each his own. This is also the country where they willingly add roasted chicory root as an adulterant. They like it that way so for them it’s an acceptable blend of coffee. The Italians, too, use Robusta in their blends, probably because of its purported ability to improve the crema head on a cup of espresso. I don’t know what blend is most common in Italy but I have read that a 10% inclusion of Robusta can have the desired effect on the crema of your espresso.
Robusta countries:
Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Angola, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Timor, Borneo, Vietnam, and Celebes.
Arabica countries:
Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Hawaii, Yemen, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Papua New Guinea.
Combination countries:
Brazil and India.
(Info from .... http://kaffee.netfirms.com)
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
What is Fair Trade Coffee???
Fair Trade means an equitable and fair partnership between consumers in North America and producers in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The chief concern of the Fair Trade movement has been to ensure that the vast majority of the world's coffee farmers (who are small holders) get a fair price for their harvests in order to achieve a decent living wage. Fair Trade guarantees to poor farmers organized in cooperatives around the world: a living wage (minimum price of $1.26/pound regardless of the volatile market); much needed credit at fair prices; and long term relationships. These fair payments are invested in health care, education, environmental stewardship, and economic independence. Fair Trade Certified coffee is the first product being introduced in the United States with an independently monitored system to ensure that it was produced under fair labor conditions; now we need a movement to demand it!!
Why Fair Trade Certified Coffee Is An Important New Movement:
-It's a consumer trend. More and more people care about the conditions of the people who produce the products they buy. Coffee is the first commodity in the United States for which there is an independent monitor that guarantees that producers were paid a fair wage for their product and work in decent conditions -- a real alternative to sweatshops.
-This is a huge industry trend. Across the country, there are over 100 companies that have licensing agreements with TransFair to offer Fair Trade Certified coffee. Major roasters include Starbucks, Tully's, Peet's, Equal Exchange, Diedrich, and Green Mountain, serving over 7,000 retail locations, with volumes rising every day.
-It's an environmental issue. Small farmers are the best stewards of the land. When you support Fair Trade, you support the environment. Fair Trade farmers don't have the capital input to clear forests, buy chemical fertilizers and pesticides. They generally grow small plots of mixed-crop, shade grown coffee organically.
-The untold story of the gourmet coffee boom: it's leaving small farmers behind. Prices are currently at 8-year lows, falling under $.50 per pound in August 2001 -- yet retail prices stay high, meaning mass industry profits. Fair Trade brings small farmers into the boom.
*** I Hope this info can be helpful to help people understand what fair trade coffee really is! ***
Why Fair Trade Certified Coffee Is An Important New Movement:
-It's a consumer trend. More and more people care about the conditions of the people who produce the products they buy. Coffee is the first commodity in the United States for which there is an independent monitor that guarantees that producers were paid a fair wage for their product and work in decent conditions -- a real alternative to sweatshops.
-This is a huge industry trend. Across the country, there are over 100 companies that have licensing agreements with TransFair to offer Fair Trade Certified coffee. Major roasters include Starbucks, Tully's, Peet's, Equal Exchange, Diedrich, and Green Mountain, serving over 7,000 retail locations, with volumes rising every day.
-It's an environmental issue. Small farmers are the best stewards of the land. When you support Fair Trade, you support the environment. Fair Trade farmers don't have the capital input to clear forests, buy chemical fertilizers and pesticides. They generally grow small plots of mixed-crop, shade grown coffee organically.
-The untold story of the gourmet coffee boom: it's leaving small farmers behind. Prices are currently at 8-year lows, falling under $.50 per pound in August 2001 -- yet retail prices stay high, meaning mass industry profits. Fair Trade brings small farmers into the boom.
*** I Hope this info can be helpful to help people understand what fair trade coffee really is! ***
Monday, August 30, 2010
A Deaf Barista @ Starbucks! SUPER COOL!
This is super amazing and awesome! It is so great to see a Hearing Impared Person working at Starbucks and I would love to be served by this man! He seems like a great Employee!!!
I love the board they created for him so he can interact with Customers! People who have issues with ordering drinks from a person like this need to grow up and learn to be more tolerant!
Way to Go Jason Griggs!!! - You are a true Barista!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Starbucks in Vancouver - 2 x 2
Only in Vancouver EH!!!
You can go anywhere and fine 1 starbucks directly accross from another!
At Metrotown Mall you can find 4 of them in the mall! LIKE SERIOUSLY!
Down on Sct Rd in Surrey you can find 3 within 1 full block! 1 @ Safeway, 1@ Chapters and 1 Standalone Corperate Store! OMG!!!
A little crazy are we... yes!!! But its all soooooo good!
Only problem is the F-ing HST! Shambles Campbells is costing our province our Lifestyles with his "Hated Sales Tax"! Taxation without Representation!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
What do Starbucks and Wal-Mart have in common?
I work in a Union Environment and although im not a Steward or anything I do Beleive in the General Rights of Workers Everywhere! (Not to sound like im brainwashed) I do believe that union workers do make more per Capita then non-union workers!
Canadian Starbucks Workers probably make more on Average then US Starbucks workers but in all Working Conditions need to change!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Starbucks Store Review (Hastings and Kaslo) - Hastings Sunrise
Location: Hastings Sunrise @ Hastings and Kaslo
Type of Location: Corperate Store - Drive Thru
General Evaluation:
Time of day: Late Morning
# of partners on the floor: 5
Service time: 3 mins
Business level: Seady
Cleanliness: Okay
Was the bathroom cleaner than a gas station bathroom?: Yah!
Legendary service: Service was standard! I was thanked and my order was verified!
Food/Drinks Ordered: Venti Light Ice Raspberry Passion Tea Lemonade
Display Case/Beverage Sinage: Good!
Drink Preperation/Presentation: The Drink was really sweet!
Quality of Drink/Food Ordered: 6.5/10
Grade: B-
General Comments:
This Location felt like a STANDARD Starbucks! Ok service and such.... The Drink was a bit sweet for my taste and i do order this drink on a regular bases! The overall feel was okay!
This Evaluation was an In-Store Evaluation!
Type of Location: Corperate Store - Drive Thru
General Evaluation:
Time of day: Late Morning
# of partners on the floor: 5
Service time: 3 mins
Business level: Seady
Cleanliness: Okay
Was the bathroom cleaner than a gas station bathroom?: Yah!
Legendary service: Service was standard! I was thanked and my order was verified!
Food/Drinks Ordered: Venti Light Ice Raspberry Passion Tea Lemonade
Display Case/Beverage Sinage: Good!
Drink Preperation/Presentation: The Drink was really sweet!
Quality of Drink/Food Ordered: 6.5/10
Grade: B-
General Comments:
This Location felt like a STANDARD Starbucks! Ok service and such.... The Drink was a bit sweet for my taste and i do order this drink on a regular bases! The overall feel was okay!
This Evaluation was an In-Store Evaluation!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Starbucks Store Review (Seymour and Dunsmuir St.) - Beside Granville Skytrain
Location: Seymour and Dunsmuir St. - Beside Granville Skytrain Stn.
Type of Location: Corperate Store
General Evaluation:
Time of day: Mid Afternoon
# of partners on the floor: 2-3 Active Partners
Service time: 4mins
Business level: Calm
Cleanliness: Was Okay
Was the bathroom cleaner than a gas station bathroom?: A bit Smelly and a few tissues around but okay i guess!
Legendary service: The Partners didnt seem at all interested in providing legendary service... They were there for the paycheck and free drinks on there breaks! The Register Partner didnt say thanks or anything but the Bar Partner smile when she called out my drink to be picked up!
Food/Drinks Ordered: Grande Raspberry Passion Tea Lemonade and Grande Dark Cherry Mocha Frappucino!
Display Case/Beverage Sinage: Was good! Signage well noticable!
Drink Preperation/Presentation: Beverages were okay! No real big issues!
Quality of Drink/Food Ordered: 8.5/10
Grade: C+
General Comments:
I didnt feel like i was really welcomed into the store! The Partners werent really active in the customer transactions but my drink was standard! Its a very close location to Granville Skytrain station so when we leave the stn if were very thirsty for a bux we can go here! I have had better service and drinks at this location i guess it was just the people on shift~!
Type of Location: Corperate Store
General Evaluation:
Time of day: Mid Afternoon
# of partners on the floor: 2-3 Active Partners
Service time: 4mins
Business level: Calm
Cleanliness: Was Okay
Was the bathroom cleaner than a gas station bathroom?: A bit Smelly and a few tissues around but okay i guess!
Legendary service: The Partners didnt seem at all interested in providing legendary service... They were there for the paycheck and free drinks on there breaks! The Register Partner didnt say thanks or anything but the Bar Partner smile when she called out my drink to be picked up!
Food/Drinks Ordered: Grande Raspberry Passion Tea Lemonade and Grande Dark Cherry Mocha Frappucino!
Display Case/Beverage Sinage: Was good! Signage well noticable!
Drink Preperation/Presentation: Beverages were okay! No real big issues!
Quality of Drink/Food Ordered: 8.5/10
Grade: C+
General Comments:
I didnt feel like i was really welcomed into the store! The Partners werent really active in the customer transactions but my drink was standard! Its a very close location to Granville Skytrain station so when we leave the stn if were very thirsty for a bux we can go here! I have had better service and drinks at this location i guess it was just the people on shift~!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Starbucks Store Review (Granville and Georgia St.) - Downtown Van.
Location: Granville and Georgia St. - Downtown Vancouver Accross from Sears (Next to London Drugs)!
Type of Location: Corperate Store
General Evaluation:
Time of day: Early Evening
# of partners on the floor: 3 Active Partners
Service time: 2.5mins - Start to Finish
Business level: Busy
Cleanliness: I was amazed how clean it was with the location of the store...
Was the bathroom cleaner than a gas station bathroom?: Only a few tissues around the floor.
Legendary service: Partners were friendly and accomidating to all my modifiers
Would I recommend this Location: Yes! Its a nice location and close to Granville Skytrain... Perfect for shopping days and stops on my way around downtown!
Food/Drink Evaluation:
Items Ordered: Grande Green Tea Frappacino, Grande Xtra Sweet Nonfat No whip Caramel Frappacino, Chocolate Crossant and Lemon Raspberry Loaf!
Display Case/Beverage Sinage: Low on Crossants as I took the last one! Unless extra were hidding in the back of the store!
Drink Preperation/Presentation: WELL DONE! MODIFIERS WERE EXACTLY AS I LIKED!
Quality of Drink/Food Ordered: 9.5/10
Grade: A+
General Comments:
I had to give them an A+ because the Register Partner was very friendly and the Bar Partner was nice enought to ask if the caramel drizzle she topped my drink with was enough for me or if i wanted more! I was also shocked at the Cleanliness of this store as The area the store is located in is freaquented by Street People and Dirty Buskers. It is also a busy store during General working hours 8am-6pm! It's especailly a great place to grab a pre-clubbing drink as well! Great JOB Partners!
Type of Location: Corperate Store
General Evaluation:
Time of day: Early Evening
# of partners on the floor: 3 Active Partners
Service time: 2.5mins - Start to Finish
Business level: Busy
Cleanliness: I was amazed how clean it was with the location of the store...
Was the bathroom cleaner than a gas station bathroom?: Only a few tissues around the floor.
Legendary service: Partners were friendly and accomidating to all my modifiers
Would I recommend this Location: Yes! Its a nice location and close to Granville Skytrain... Perfect for shopping days and stops on my way around downtown!
Food/Drink Evaluation:
Items Ordered: Grande Green Tea Frappacino, Grande Xtra Sweet Nonfat No whip Caramel Frappacino, Chocolate Crossant and Lemon Raspberry Loaf!
Display Case/Beverage Sinage: Low on Crossants as I took the last one! Unless extra were hidding in the back of the store!
Drink Preperation/Presentation: WELL DONE! MODIFIERS WERE EXACTLY AS I LIKED!
Quality of Drink/Food Ordered: 9.5/10
Grade: A+
General Comments:
I had to give them an A+ because the Register Partner was very friendly and the Bar Partner was nice enought to ask if the caramel drizzle she topped my drink with was enough for me or if i wanted more! I was also shocked at the Cleanliness of this store as The area the store is located in is freaquented by Street People and Dirty Buskers. It is also a busy store during General working hours 8am-6pm! It's especailly a great place to grab a pre-clubbing drink as well! Great JOB Partners!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Starbucks Store Review (Columbia St @ 6th Ave) - New West
Location: Columbia St at 6th Ave - Downtown New West
Type of Location: Corperate Store
General Evaluation:
Time of day: Early Evening
# of partners on the floor: 2 (Plus 2 on Break)
Service time: 2mins
Business level: Steady
Cleanliness: Great!
Was the bathroom cleaner than a gas station bathroom?: Didn't Use Washroom but has been clean in the past!
Legendary service: Partners were very friendly and made small talk with the customers! Bar Partner seemed very fast yet busy!
Would I recommend this Location: Yes! Its a nice location!
Food/Drink Evaluation:
Items Ordered: Iced Venti Raspberry Passion Tea and Decaf Grande White Mocha!
Display Case/Beverage Sinage: Well kept and stocked!
Drink Preperation/Presentation: Very Nicely Prepared and Tasty!
Quality of Drink/Food Ordered: 9/10
Grade: A
General Comments:
Service with a Smile! Great Drinks and Friendly Partners!
Type of Location: Corperate Store
General Evaluation:
Time of day: Early Evening
# of partners on the floor: 2 (Plus 2 on Break)
Service time: 2mins
Business level: Steady
Cleanliness: Great!
Was the bathroom cleaner than a gas station bathroom?: Didn't Use Washroom but has been clean in the past!
Legendary service: Partners were very friendly and made small talk with the customers! Bar Partner seemed very fast yet busy!
Would I recommend this Location: Yes! Its a nice location!
Food/Drink Evaluation:
Items Ordered: Iced Venti Raspberry Passion Tea and Decaf Grande White Mocha!
Display Case/Beverage Sinage: Well kept and stocked!
Drink Preperation/Presentation: Very Nicely Prepared and Tasty!
Quality of Drink/Food Ordered: 9/10
Grade: A
General Comments:
Service with a Smile! Great Drinks and Friendly Partners!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Article** Sales Strength of Via Starbucks Coffee Questioned! ***
Read this Article:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1910187920100820
Many Starbucks Baristas are feeling the pressure to push the sales of Starbucks Via Ready Brew! Anyone with Comments on what the acutal Procedure and Goals of the Sales Aspect is Please let us know! I would hope that my fave Coffee Chain isnt forcing staff to meet un-realistic goals!!!
Thx Readers!
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1910187920100820
Many Starbucks Baristas are feeling the pressure to push the sales of Starbucks Via Ready Brew! Anyone with Comments on what the acutal Procedure and Goals of the Sales Aspect is Please let us know! I would hope that my fave Coffee Chain isnt forcing staff to meet un-realistic goals!!!
Thx Readers!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
"Stickler" English professor Lynne Rosenthal: Starbucks booted me over a bagel order - NYPOST.com
"Stickler" English professor Lynne Rosenthal: Starbucks booted me over a bagel order - NYPOST.com
This is a definate must read for people who think its okay to go into starbucks and dont want to conform to there standards! LOL!!!
Honestly if all you want is a Multigrain bagel and you dont want to answer butter or cheese then go to the Freakin Grocery Store and buy one urself! Same with Coffee! If you refuse to say Grande Coffee and want to say Medium then go to Timmies!
This is a definate must read for people who think its okay to go into starbucks and dont want to conform to there standards! LOL!!!
Honestly if all you want is a Multigrain bagel and you dont want to answer butter or cheese then go to the Freakin Grocery Store and buy one urself! Same with Coffee! If you refuse to say Grande Coffee and want to say Medium then go to Timmies!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
New Drink Prep Method @ Sbux!
The new Beverage Repeatable routine isn't just about speed, it's about consistency, it's about customer interaction.
With the new method of building drinks, the bar partner has more still time at the bar in which they are supposed to be interacting with customers at the handoff plane.
The new method builds upon ever successful baristas main mantra, "always have your milk ready!".
You start steaming milk before you even touch your cup, after you aireate the milk and set it to auto steam the rest of the way, you start the shots to be pulled, as the epsresso is grinding you reach for the cup pump syrups and set cup under the now about to pour shots. As the shots finish pouring you pull the now completely steamed milk off of the want and wipe the wand. The shots are done pulling an you are now perfectly time to pour the freshly steamed milk in to the freshly poured shots. While all of this was happening you are also talking to customers.
The espresso bar stations may be moving around depending on the store. I will be separating my two bars and putting all syups and lids inbetween the two bars
There is still "double barring" you just don't have to do it as often. The bar partner is getting more support, some one else is rinsing pitchers (during rushes) and some one else is marking all cups.
With the new method of building drinks, the bar partner has more still time at the bar in which they are supposed to be interacting with customers at the handoff plane.
The new method builds upon ever successful baristas main mantra, "always have your milk ready!".
You start steaming milk before you even touch your cup, after you aireate the milk and set it to auto steam the rest of the way, you start the shots to be pulled, as the epsresso is grinding you reach for the cup pump syrups and set cup under the now about to pour shots. As the shots finish pouring you pull the now completely steamed milk off of the want and wipe the wand. The shots are done pulling an you are now perfectly time to pour the freshly steamed milk in to the freshly poured shots. While all of this was happening you are also talking to customers.
The espresso bar stations may be moving around depending on the store. I will be separating my two bars and putting all syups and lids inbetween the two bars
There is still "double barring" you just don't have to do it as often. The bar partner is getting more support, some one else is rinsing pitchers (during rushes) and some one else is marking all cups.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The Starbucks... However YOU Want it Frapp!
Check out the website: www.frappucino.com to become a part of the community!
NOW @ Starbucks!!! You can have your Frappucino however you want!
Customize your milk options
Customize your Coffee options
Customize your Syrup options
Customize your Custom options
Nonfat, 1%, 2% or Soy
add a shot or make it decaf
2 pumps Caramel or 4 Pumps Mocha
Whip No Whip or Lite Ice
Get to your local Starbucks today and Customize your drink the way you want it!
NOW @ Starbucks!!! You can have your Frappucino however you want!
Customize your milk options
Customize your Coffee options
Customize your Syrup options
Customize your Custom options
Nonfat, 1%, 2% or Soy
add a shot or make it decaf
2 pumps Caramel or 4 Pumps Mocha
Whip No Whip or Lite Ice
Get to your local Starbucks today and Customize your drink the way you want it!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Starbucks Store Review - 6th / 6th New Westminister (Westminister Ctr)
Location: 6/6 in New West @ Westminister Center
Type of Location: Corperate Store
General Evaluation:
Time of day: Afternoon
# of partners on the floor: 2 (Probably one or 2 in the back as well stocking/cleaning)
Service time: 1min
Business level: Steady
Cleanliness: Good
Was the bathroom cleaner than a gas station bathroom?: Yes of course!
Legendary service: not really but partners were friendly
Would I recommend this Location: Yes... The only corperate store in uptown N.West!
Food/Drink Evaluation:
Items Ordered: Chocolate Crossant and Iced Venti Caramel Macchiato xtra sweet!
Display Case/Beverage Sinage: Clean and well noticable
Drink Preperation/Presentation: Well Done. Standards followed!
Quality of Drink/Food Ordered: 8.5/10
Grade: A-
General Comments:
A Very good location! Good location for local customers and in an nice area near a new Saveon... Steady pace of business and friendly staff! Local everyday customers are well known by staff and greated as such!
Type of Location: Corperate Store
General Evaluation:
Time of day: Afternoon
# of partners on the floor: 2 (Probably one or 2 in the back as well stocking/cleaning)
Service time: 1min
Business level: Steady
Cleanliness: Good
Was the bathroom cleaner than a gas station bathroom?: Yes of course!
Legendary service: not really but partners were friendly
Would I recommend this Location: Yes... The only corperate store in uptown N.West!
Food/Drink Evaluation:
Items Ordered: Chocolate Crossant and Iced Venti Caramel Macchiato xtra sweet!
Display Case/Beverage Sinage: Clean and well noticable
Drink Preperation/Presentation: Well Done. Standards followed!
Quality of Drink/Food Ordered: 8.5/10
Grade: A-
General Comments:
A Very good location! Good location for local customers and in an nice area near a new Saveon... Steady pace of business and friendly staff! Local everyday customers are well known by staff and greated as such!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Starbucks Store Review - Chapters Metrotown
Location: Metrotown (Chapters Book Store)
Type of Location: Corperate Store
General Evaluation:
Time of day: Late Afternoon (Around 3:30)
# of partners on the floor: 6
Service time: 3Mins
Business level: Busy
Cleanliness: Average
Was the bathroom cleaner than a gas station bathroom?: Bathroom was busy at time of Visit
Legendary service: nope! To much Chatter from employees!
Would I recommend this Location: Metrotown has 4 locations to Choose From and all are pretty much the same... I Guess it depends where you are in the mall at the time you want a starbucks! If you are in Chapters or nearby its an okay location to go to!
Food/Drink Evaluation:
Items Ordered: Grande Dark Cherry Mocha Frappacino Light and Tall Java Chip Frappacino
Display Case/Beverage Sinage: Well Done!
Drink Preperation/Presentation: Bad! The DCM was made regular when the Java Chip was made Light base! Was supposed to be the other way around!
Quality of Drink/Food Ordered: 7/10
Grade: C+
General Comments:
This location had too many partners trying to do alot of tasks at the same time! It was a tad Kaotic! It looked as though 1-2 partners were going off shift or hanging around and people trying to do breaks as well! Communication may not have been at there best during this time! I understand this a busy location being in the chapters and the first time we had drink issues! We did not return drinks as we didnt notice the problem until we had left the store and didnt want to go back for a remake!
Type of Location: Corperate Store
General Evaluation:
Time of day: Late Afternoon (Around 3:30)
# of partners on the floor: 6
Service time: 3Mins
Business level: Busy
Cleanliness: Average
Was the bathroom cleaner than a gas station bathroom?: Bathroom was busy at time of Visit
Legendary service: nope! To much Chatter from employees!
Would I recommend this Location: Metrotown has 4 locations to Choose From and all are pretty much the same... I Guess it depends where you are in the mall at the time you want a starbucks! If you are in Chapters or nearby its an okay location to go to!
Food/Drink Evaluation:
Items Ordered: Grande Dark Cherry Mocha Frappacino Light and Tall Java Chip Frappacino
Display Case/Beverage Sinage: Well Done!
Drink Preperation/Presentation: Bad! The DCM was made regular when the Java Chip was made Light base! Was supposed to be the other way around!
Quality of Drink/Food Ordered: 7/10
Grade: C+
General Comments:
This location had too many partners trying to do alot of tasks at the same time! It was a tad Kaotic! It looked as though 1-2 partners were going off shift or hanging around and people trying to do breaks as well! Communication may not have been at there best during this time! I understand this a busy location being in the chapters and the first time we had drink issues! We did not return drinks as we didnt notice the problem until we had left the store and didnt want to go back for a remake!
stylebyjohn
- John Hall
- Vancouver, BC, Canada
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