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I wouldn't even think I could do this at this point in my life, but what does it take?

Having had a few problems at work this past year, I'm wanting to take a more positive direction. It's been a while since I've thought 'yeah - I'd love to do something like that...'

http://www.enjoy.origincoffee.co.uk/origin_news_details.asp?NewsID=206

i'm not overly sure. i'd imagine it's a mixture of barista training, trouble shooting for existing customers, having some basic machine knowledge, maybe being capable of installing a machine (even i can manage this) and probably some sales.
apart from sales i bet you could learn of all that shit in a few days if you're not an idiot. if you want any help give me a shout.

I don't think you should have to justify CM anymore than people should have to justify pride.

....erm

i have a nixon 'time teller' (literally, that's what it's called) it wasn't expensive but it has massive sentimental damage. despite the fact that it's falling apart and now looks stupid i can't bare to send it off to get fixed because i'm worried they'll loose it.

it was recently featured in the sunday times style magazine 'hot or not' list. in the hot section, clearly.

It was probably the height of geekiness when I went running in Cornwall and went up a steep as fnark hill just to go past the Origin roastery in Constantine.

i'm at a trade show in cornwall at the moment and i had a nice quick chat with Tom from origin today, they're roasting a bit of coffee themselves at the moment on a 12k Probat(i think that's what he said) it was really nice, i was really impressed.

he said they're also looking for someone to look after origin customers from london to bristol as the last guy they had doing it has gone off to help open an espresso bar in bath run by Lee Meyers and that other england rugby player that got banned for being a cokehead, absolutely amazing.

Not if it's been posted yet, but Fernandez & Wells in Soho they make some kickass cofee, albeit at disgusting prices... http://www.fernandezandwells.com/beak.php

they're actually opening another store in soho on one of the cross ally ways. i think it's called st mary's court. if you're in that area you're better off going to milkbar or flat white anyway!

yeah it's a couple of notches too fine, like you guys said i would just put a little less in. if you can't take control of the coarseness of the grind then the trick is trying to put as much coffee in the PF as possible, even if it means barely tamping it at all. that second pour looks slightly better from the waitrose beans hippy.

are you grinding the beans yourself? if you've got a grinder you literally just need to grind the beans a touch coarser. i would advise keeping away from the single handle or at least the single basket (i just don't like the way the coffee infuses inside the different shaped single basket)
i would also say that 20 seconds for half an espresso cup (so basically about a single espresso anyway) is probably good, perhaps with a little adjustment. i don't know if bombcup, or anyone else has said this before but what you want to do is run a ristretto - so basically one espresso's worth of water through a double basket of coffee.

the thing to remember with these little machines is that they don't have the pump pressure that big commercial machines do, even my rancillo which is meant to be reasonably stable still sucks a little bit with the old pump pressure.

you said something about holes being blocked as well, do you mean in the basket in the portafilter or do you mean the shower plates in the group head. regardless i would take them both out and give them a good scrub anyway.
if you're still stuck and based in london give me a shout i'm sure i can help you out.

Yeah, i kinda thought that as well. Especially when holding up buses full of people trying to get home so they can go out on their friday night. One thing holding up cars/taxis, but holding up buses isn't what it's about IMO.

well just the whole thing in general. i appreciate the cause and i think in theory its a beautiful idea but just seeing how fucking mental some of the people were getting in their cars and a pedestrian grabbed my flatmate by westminster. do you think the next time these people see a cyclist they're going to be sympathetic? i also don't think it helps that some people use it as some sort of liberal hard on.
it was the first time i've been and like i said i had a great time but, i dunno, i just felt it didn't paint cycling in a particularly glorious light.

i went and had a good time, however i'm really not sure how well it promotes cyclists/bikes. it just seemed to infuriate everyone else.

Was at South East heat of UK Barista Championships on wednesday to watch our man Scott Griffiths, manager of the market stall win the prize for best espresso. Gwilym Davies from Colombia Rd market won the overall top prize on the day. Bright times for London coffee.

Nationals begin on Monday and both are expected to do well. Gwilym is probably favourite.

how good was gwilyms run? the streams were completely pointless so i didn't bother watching anyone compete. it's a shame i've been able to watch the fucking north eastern barista comps in real time yet couldn't see a competition 50 miles down the road from me.

i've been lamenting the death of coffee@ lately, there's nowhere decent/independent/nice to go for a cappucino around near me.

but the past few days ive been going a new tiny li'l coffeeshop called dose on long lane (beside smithfields) that's really good. owned/run by the ex-manager from ottolenghi. yesterday they were watching the barrista championships on live videofeed. heh heh.

i was going to ask where you were and try and suggest a new place to go but you've already found one of the best places going by a country mile.
coffee@ was a rubbish company, left in loads of debt.

Saw a dude on a multi-coloured Lo-pro pulling wheelies down my road in New Cross Gate!

i think this was most probably my house mate. what road are you on dude?

it's not really an epic fail. it's just fucking brilliant and i didn't have anywhere to put it.

i wasn't really into last year because the room was too small. it was all squeezing past people.
i will probably go again regardless because it's the only time i can ever bother to pick up any uk zines.

It was tonight. Nice to meet you, Ross.

good to see ya Ross. Mmmm I'm getting wet flannels and chain oil from this cup…

likewise. i should have probably mentioned that the coffee crowd is pretty fucking crazy. i mean when those hookers appeared from that coke mountain, pretty wild.

i jest. it was a good night the coffee was much better than the last one i thought.

thirdly, i was in oxford today so i quickly popped into bicester village and picked up a kona with hold filter from the bodum store. £15 reduced from £80

Is this what i think? A coffee tasting night?? yes please!?!

http://shop.squaremilecoffee.com/products/taste-of-east-coast

it's tonight

When booking tickets, asks for food/beer suggestions. Is this an all evening event?

it's usually done by about 9ish. i didn't notice the thing about food. usually people bring food to represent the country, sometimes there's beer going as well at the end.

bollocks, niether of those are north. you get the idea though..

i went to Saki by smithfields just before christmas. it's not super fancy but the food has been very, very good both times i've been. probably works out at about 40/50 a head.
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/6927.htm (great first review up top there from what seems like a fucking harvester regular)

i went to the chancery just after christmas and again had a really nice meal, again food was really good (probably a bit more wholesome than saki) inside was really nice, quiet, relaxed atmosphere. service was very very good, it's not open weekends. about 100 for two people without wine.
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/4086.htm

saw some guy standing at the lights on theobalds today about 3.30ish, then as he realised he was blocking the pedestrian crossing he casualy cycled backwards to let a woman with her pushchair across. slick, and a heart of gold. didn't pay attention to his bike at all i'm afraid.

Ross - give us a shout if you see us in there

i don't know what you look like but i've got a light blue superia frame. i will also be spitting. it's usually cool for you to bring your bike into the warehouse, again, if you haven't been before.

also that h r higgins site looks pretty expensive. i dunno if bombcup has suggested already but if you're looking to order online i'd try has bean. i've never actually ordered from him but everyone raves about him being brilliant. http://www.hasbean.co.uk/

it's east coast! not as good as west coast but still good. haven't had any gimme in ages. can't think of any east blends off the top of my head.

bombcup - are you going to the square mile tasting evening on wednesday? If you are, me and Hippy will be the ones at the back giggling every time they say 'cupping'

i have put off joining these forums for ages, but i caved in. anyway i though i would say i'm going SM on wednesday - i'll probably try and take my bike now as well.

i don't know if you've been to one of these before or not, but if not try and eat before you go otherwise you'll feel sick and also be up for ages and ages.