He was rather warm and friendly the first time i met him, so an interview would just be awesome! So here it is! =D Hopefully this will soon be featured in the CC's newsletter and give our cafe even more publicity! *rubs hands with glee*
Okay, so it was a friday evening and i cycled over to check out the cafe. And boy did it look different when i first saw it in the "prelude-to-operationally-ready state". There's an automated shelter even to cover the "makan" area (my apologies that it is obscured in the picture) to protect the customers from the rain! =D Okay okay i shall not bother you any further and get down to business!
The Interview!
Shaun: You've had quite an interesting job as a Cafe Manager at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaves, what made you give that up to be our YEC Cafe Manager?
Zar: It's been my ambition to open up my own cafe, therefore with this opportunity, its one step closer to realising my dream. The challenge of setting up a new cafe, relatively unknown to the community makes it even more worthwhile.
Shaun: Do you have any fascinating requests previously in the "line of fire" (as a cafe manager) to share with us?
Zar: Alot... In the F&B line, customers expect to be severed according to what they paid for. Hmmmm... *pauses for a while to think* Once a customer wanted an espresso that is "not too strong" - How do can you make an espresso "not too strong"??? Pulling an espresso takes about twenty seconds, the longer the time, the weaker it'll be in terms of body and flavour. Cos an espresso single or double shot (1oz/2oz respectively) is meant to be strong as traditionally drank by the europeans. any longer then the beverage would be called a 'Lungo' or 'Long Black'. It is possible to make an espresso not too strong but it wont taste as nice as a traditional espresso. Come to the cafe often and i can teach you a thing or two about coffee and how to make a good cup of cappuccino! Another customer wanted a tea latte using just milk, likewise it is not possible to extract the latte without using hot water. We need the water to bring the flavour out!
Shaun: Tell us more about yourself!
Zar: I'm 27 and I'm single!!! *laughs* I've been in the coffee line for four years and this job as a barista has been the best i've ever had!
Shaun: What was the preperation like to get the cafe equipped, furnished and decorated etc.?
Zar: The challenge is to find equipment, furniture and ingredients within our budget without compromising standards and quality. It gives me a big headache of what to get and where to get them!
Shaun: Any die-die-must-try items to recommend our readers?
Zar: *laughs* Our YEC chairwoman Joanne likes the Grenadine Fizzler. If you ask me, you have to try the Vanilla Malt Ice Blended and Lime Ice Blended. Both retail @ $3.50 (not taking into consideration the 10% cafe opening discount)
Shaun: Are there any developments in the future for us to look forward to?
Zar: Well, we already have a FREE wireless internet hotspot available at our cafe!
Zar: We are going to organize activities at the cafe such as chess competitions, outdoor mini gigs, to name a few. And of course, we are working on "upgrading" the ambience. Well, look at two of our customers currently battling it out in an epic chess game (which eventually spanned 45 minutes *wipes sweat off forehead* phew!)
Shaun: "Jumpin' Beans". A rather interesting name eh? Who came up with it!
Zar: One of our YEC members did! Jumpin' - to tell people of the youthful energy we have and beans - well, because of the coffee beans!
Shaun: Thank you so much for your time Zar! May i now interrogate your staff too?
Zar: Yeah, sure sure go ahead! *proceeds to call for them*
Okay so yeah guys that is part one of the interview! In case you were wondering, no we did not ask him to come down just to pose for the picture, it so happened he popped by to take a look at the cafe! Hey, MPs are busy people! =D
The next post will be the interview with Khaleeda and Farhan, our cafe staff!
This is Shaun signing off - till next time!
