Consultants & Specialty Coffee

Returning last week from NYC -  on the heels of my Morocco trip… I  found my desk piled with  stacks of mail and of course the latest coffee magazines. While reading Roast Magazine – I found Connie’s “From the Publisher” letter.

The title of her column was “Consultants” -  All I can say about her letter to the industry in this issue is “Bravo.”

Anyone that knows Connie – knows -  she is very direct, honest and rarely beats around the bush when she has an opinion on a given subject.  This piece was true to her style.  Here – she spoke her mind and I must admit it mirrored my feelings about the subject 100%.

One quote:  “On paper every consultant seems to have the experience and credentials, but lately I have been hearing the last response (Are they just plain evil?) to make me wonder if the “expert” bar has been set too low in our business?”

I have been a coffee consultant for nearly 20 years and I must admit that there are few areas of the specialty coffee business that are as strange as the world of coffee consulting. Often it seems everyone is a consultant – and many of them are trying to sell you a lot more than “good information.”

There are of course many great consultants in our industry that truly care about the success of their clients but it only takes a few companies and individuals – as Connie put it… “to lower the bar” and shed an ill light on the profession of coffee consulting.

“Thanks Connie” for a well written and timely piece.

We are embarking on two very busy weeks ahead – best of all no major travel on the nearby horizon.  My next overseas trip that was to occur  this month has now been pushed back until after the SCAA show.  And with everything that is happening on Water Avenue – it is important to be closer to home for a while.

NYC-to-NJ CoffeFest

Arriving in N.J. late yesterday and I am already missing NYC… a lot!

My hotel in Jersey is 12 miles on a GPS  from my hotel in Manhattan… but it might as well be 1000 miles away in almost any  comparison of the two locations.

The Medowlands in Jersey should prove an interesting venue for this CoffeeFest – But make no mistake this is not CoffeeFest – N.Y.

Given the proximity to the millions of people who are  within a short drive or flight – this should be a great show for everyone who is exhibiting.  The weather also should co-operate if the forecast is correct.

Arriving the evening of the second worst snow storm of the year…I came in a week early to do some consulting in the city and also meet with two potential clients.  In the midst of working in N.Y.  I did make time  to see a little art.  First MOMA – my favorite… then on to the Met and finally – The Whitney.

I also visited many of the city’s new coffee bars.  NYC is finally… as one would hope – on the cutting edge of great coffee and espresso.  It was not that way only a few years ago when it was nearly impossible to get a great cup of coffee here – well that has definitely changed.

And finally the food in NYC.  Coming from Portland I have nothing to complain about – but when it comes to food – there is no place like New York. Just around the corner from my hotel near mid-town was an amazing diner that was open all night – the food was not gourmet but actually very good.  I will admit most of the food I ate was Italian and every meal was perfect.

The reason everyone loves to visit N.Y. is so obvious – Great people – art – theater – fashion – food – and now – great coffee.