Here we are in May and welcome to our new look webpage. Hope you like it , (let me know). The objective is that I can post it faster and that you get the news as it happens.
So what’s been happening??? Well we’ve already had the Ready Steady Cook episode where Café Krem was part of the winning team. It was great fun to do but personally painful to watch. I’d like to thank everyone at Endemol TV production for their professionalism (and no thanks I don’t want to do big brother), Ainsley Harriot who was an absolute star and real genuine guy. My co-competitor James, (finally I beat you!) and the chefs Nick and Lesley. Altogether a good laugh with nice people and a chance for Café Krem to keep our profile at the forefront of the industry.
Had a great day out at the first N. Ireland Barista jam where the brightest and best but more importantly the most interested baristas from all over Ireland got together in Belfast to spend the day learning new aspects of their trade. Around 30 coffee superstars got together at the espresso logic training rooms to learn about coffee roasting and blending from Phillip Mills of Johnstons about Coffee Cupping from Hugh Gilmartin of Specialist Beverages and to do a Barista workshop with Sé Gorman and a sensory workshop with Stephen Morrissey.The day had an educational theme with an underlying competitive edge. The overall winner on the day was Karl Purdy from Coffee Angel and the outstanding Barista was Jon Armstrong from Clements. Barry from Grounds got a prize as did Dave from Clements.There was a great opportunity for new people like Lisa from Café Paul Rankin to meet Baristas Graham and Barry from Grounded and Jurgita and Neli from Café Krem in Newry. For The team from the Streat to meet the team from Grounds in Coleraine and Ballymena,(probably the most progressive Coffee shop in the North). The Clements guys discovered Roger the giant from Crusoe and James from Matthew Algie and Jacquie from Bewleys was able to chat with all her new and old northern allies. Special thanks to Hugh and Sharon for hosting and funding the event to Steve Penk for sorting the La Spaziale machine. To Phillip and David from Johnstons for the roasting and to all the participants for coming along on their day off.Lots of people have contacted us to have another so if we can get the money together we just might do that. If you wre ther and have any comments let me know on info@cafekrem.com The greatest success of the day was that everyone there who are normally competitive retailers and suppliers came together to share and learn from each other for the benefit of the industry.
Graham & Barry from Grounded and Subi Danny and Kerry from Grounds with Jurgita from Café Krem
Coffee chat.. Some of our customers are happily using Aerobie Aeropress’ to brew their coffee and they are reporting great satisfaction and success with that. Another customer is loving trying a variety of Krem sourced coffee in a Cafétiere enhanced by using a “Kitchenaid Proline” Burr Grinder. To me personally this is the best home brew solution for getting cost effective great tasting coffee to your table when you want it. Anyone who wants details should mail me at info@cafekrem.com or just ask me when you’re in the shop.
Had visits from Karl Purdy and Robert Czar coffee geeks from Dublin and Canada. They spent some time hanging out in the Hill Street shop watching how we do things and discussing general customer service and coffee preparation styles. It’s really nice to have other people’s views and ideas. Keeps us as fresh as the coffee.