Gemma joined the Kōkako team a little over a month ago and now we can't remember what we ever did without her! We first met Gemma as the head barista at one of our busiest outposts, Elixir Espresso at Middlemore Hospital, two years ago. She's been honing her coffee slinging skills there ever since and now has jumped ship to the other side.
We asked Gemma a couple of questions to help introduce herself.
When did you start at Kōkako and what's your role?
I started in March and I am one of the Roastery Assistants
How old were you when you first joined the coffee game and where?
I was 18 and it was at Muffin Break, Pakuranga. I'd just started uni and knew nothing about coffee but I was sick of my KFC job.
What was your favourite muffin while working at Muffin Break?
Anything that was leftover that we could take home! My mum made an epic bread and butter pudding with leftover apple and cinnamon muffins once!
What is your favourite way to drink coffee when you're not at work and why?
Chemex. I like that I can make 2 big cups of coffee at once in my 6 cup Chemex, which is a great match with the recent purchase of my first electric burr grinder! No more early hand grinding for 10 minutes!
Favourite origin?
Ethiopian
If you owned your own espresso bar what would it be called?
I'd love to open a manual only brew bar rather than an espresso bar if I had the chance. As for it's name, 'Ebb and Flow' has been at the top of my list for a while.
Can you please draw your favourite coffee mug?
This is a shameless plug for my instagram @mattimeo_makes hahaha
Is there anything that has surprised you at Kōkako you didn’t realize before you started with us?
That everything is done by hand which means a lot of love goes into everything.
Who plays the best music at Kōkako besides yourself?
Chris, his heavy metal on production days really helps.
Where would you love to travel to next?
My first priority for travel is to properly see New Zealand, preferably in a campervan.
Favourite instagram account you follow?
For funny relatable stuff — @thats_so_hospo and for living vicariously through world travellers — @hikingtheglobe
Gemma's barista tip —
Keep you area clean it keeps the stress levels low even when your busy.
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