Valerie is a Coffee Lead at our Delmar location. She works with our retail team to maintain and improve the quality of coffee leaving the cafe and with the education department, teaching classes and creating coursework.
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT THE CAFÉ, AND WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB?
I am the coffee lead at our Delmar Cafe. My favorite part of the job? Can I not say all of it? If I have to choose, it would be our monthly team meetings/ cuppings with our retail staff. I work with some incredible people, and it's really enjoyable to spend some time together and further our knowledge and palettes.
.
WHAT PROMPTED YOUR INTEREST IN COFFEE?
As a teenager, I really enjoyed cafe culture and was your average Iced Vanilla Latte drinker. Then I made friends with a barista who introduced me to pour-overs and single-origin coffees, and it became an unexpected rabbit hole from there.
IF YOU COULD ENJOY A CUP OF COFFEE WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD, WHO WOULD IT BE?
My late grandma. She passed away when I was very young. But the way my family talks about her, she seems like the kindest, most compassionate soul that’s ever walked the earth. I find myself alone in my family when it comes to my interest and hobbies (though they are all very lovely people), and she was involved with so many things I have taken up in my own life. I wish I could have coffee with this person I feel so related to but never really knew.
WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO COFFEE ORDER AT BLUEPRINT?
A drip coffee and an espresso.
WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS OUTSIDE OF COFFEE?
I spend most of my time rock climbing and reading. I also love painting and listening to/ playing music. Being outside is probably one of the most important things to me. If I do anything… it’s just laying in the grass enjoying the sky or hiking around.
ANY FACTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT YOURSELF?
My fasted Rubik's cube time is 44 seconds.
HOPES, DREAMS, DESIRES FOR THE FUTURE?
I’m pursuing my degree in environmental science and hope to work with sustainable agriculture and cleaning and maintaining natural waterways.
