I vividly remember my first day working at the Cedar st. Bistro.
I was nervous and jumpy and oh so excited. Like every other millennial teenage girl, it had been my dream to work at a coffee shop since I was 13 and at last my dream was coming true.
Jump forward three years and I’m realizing that working two jobs, though feasible, is not healthy. There is so much more to life than work and although my job at the Bistro feels like second nature to me now, its time to move on toward bigger and better things.
So today is my last day at the small Italian cafe where I’ve made my living since I was 16. Today is my last day of pulling espresso shots, steaming milk, baking scones and jamming out to the same Lumineers playlist I’ve heard 5,000 times.
I have learned more than I anticipated from my hours behind an espresso machine and I have loved (almost) every minute. Today I’d like to share with you just 10 of those reasons.
1.Mornings
Being scheduled on 7 am opening shifts taught me to wake up earlier. And not just so I could show up to work on time, but still have an hour or two before work to wake up and enjoy the first few hours of the day. Working as a barista has truly turned me into a morning person. I’m the college student who’d rather wake up at 4:30 to study than stay up until 1 in the morning at night. There’s a quiet stillness in the first few hours of dawn that is so peaceful and necessary for the soul. Waking up early makes me feel more in control and on top of my day. It is a habit I hope to continue regardless of my work hours since it has always been such a positive experience, especially when there a strong cup of coffee in my hand.
2. Coffee Knowledge
Once when I was around 14 and my brother who was a barista at the time came home from college, we went out to coffee and I ordered a macchiatto. I didn’t know what it was but it sounded fancy. He looked at me strangely and asked if I really wanted that. “Uh-duh. Don’t second guess my coffee knowledge!” Or lack thereof…. I was quite appalled when our drinks were called and mine weighed about an ounce. I looked down at the bottom of the cup and there was only a couple inches of dark thick espresso with some fluffy white milk on the top. I gulped it down, pretending to enjoy every sip, but really gagging inside. Fast forward to working at the bistro where I’ve learned more about coffee terminology, methods and roasts than I ever expected. Today I know that macchiatto means marked in Italian, and its simply an espresso shot “marked” with a dash of frothy steamed milk.
And by the way, I actually love them now too.
3. Experimenting
Having the freedom and ability of mixing syrups and spices and playing around with different milks has been one of my favorite things about working at the bistro, except that it has turned me into a bit of a snob. For instance the only way I take my London fog now is with just one pump of vanilla syrup, two bags of earl gray tea, soy milk and twice the nutmeg. Or I like my Americanos with about two inches of a steamed concoction full of honey, cinnamon, stevia and half and half. Also mochas do taste pretty good with only half the amount of mocha powder and about a tablespoon of cocoa powder. But melted chocolate chips and orange slices don’t actually mix with coffee as well as you think they might. Don’t ask.
4. Working with my sister
I got this job in large part to my older sister, who was a long time employee at the bistro before I was. Getting to know my sister as a co-worker was fun. We could get through a rush or bust through a tub of dirty dishes faster than anyone else, we were able to share rides, and we understood and related to each-others work stories. I never thought I’d have the opportunity to work alongside my sister since she is 8 years older than me, so those are memories I will treasure forever.
5. Having energy
Working as a barista means you’re never tired. Well, almost. See, whenever you start feeling sleepy or your head starts pounding, there is literally an endless supply of caffeine right at your finger tips to give you that extra boost off energy that you need. I know endless amounts of caffeine aren’t good for you, but for a college student who has worked and gone to school full time, sometimes those 2 or 3 or 4 left-over shots as well as the cup of coffee at the beginning of the day and the iced americano at the end of the day are the only things that have pulled me through. (Please don’t tell my doctor)
6. Gelato
The owners of the Cedar St. Bistro lived in Europe so everything that is on the menu is authentic to the cuisine and cafes they experienced living abroad. One of those amazing refreshments is gelato (Italian ice-cream). Not only did I get to sample and taste almost every flavor imaginable, I was trained to make it as well. Learning this skill was so much fun, and when I went to Europe for the first time last Summer and had gelato there, I understood how authentic the ingredients, flavors and crafting process are at the bistro.
7. The atmosphere
The bistro is located in a historical bridge in the heart of downtown. It is literally the only marketplace on a bridge in the United States. It is built with massive tamarack logs and huge glass windows which open up to views of Sand Creek and the mountains beyond. Its peaceful, its picturesque, the ceilings are tall, the smells are wonderful, and the music is fun. Working in such a unique and historic building has definitely been one of the main highlights of my job.
8. The regulars
Good morning 16 oz Americano with 2 inches of steamed cream and 3 shakes of vanilla powder! Does your dog want a treat Mr. 12 oz non-fat latte in a to-go cup with two small black straws? Have a good day working at the hospital, guy with the 20 oz strawberry smoothie! Yes, some customers will yell at you because you don’t know what a white angel is (ask me about that one sometime). Some customers aren’t always pleasant to serve, some only come in now and then, some are tourists, and then some are regulars. I love remembering peoples orders, remembering peoples names (even though that creeps them out sometimes) and making their drink just the way they like it. When you work at a place long enough, you begin to recognize people and orders and you start to form a little community. I’ve had both light and deep conversations with some of these people and have been blessed with the opportunity to hear their stories. Getting to know the regulars has been one my favorite things about working at the bistro and probaby one of the things I will most (besides the free coffee).
9. The team
There has been a lot of change-over during my time at the bistro, but throughout the years I have formed tight-knit work relationships with a lot of my co-workers and enjoyed getting through big rushes together, solving problems, laughing over spilled milk (literal or not) and having inside jokes. Thanks to my bistro fam. It’s been fun.
10. The memories
It was at the bistro where I made coffee and talked about the band penny and sparrow with a boy who would later become my boyfriend of two years. It was at the bistro where I met up with friends after work, and had a bible study upstairs. It was at the bistro where I learned to love cappuccinos (mostly from my boss who has one or two every day). I won’t forget the 4th of July where me and another co-worker at one point had 15 breakfast burritos at the same time up on the ticket rail. I won’t forget the day I worked during the solar eclipse and we all brought in solar glasses and oohed and ahhed at the magic happening outside. I won’t forget the conversations I’ve had with the regulars. I won’t forget the feeling of getting my first tip.
And I won’t forget what I learned.
Thanks for all the memories, little bistro on cedar st. If you’re ever in the area, check this great place out, leave a good tip and try the Crème brûlée latte. You won’t be disappointed.
