Amanda Morris

Position: Store Leader, Chapel Hill
Favorite drink: Iced Americano

What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned in coffee?
The names and techniques of coffee preparation from around the world always keep me on my toes. A Gibraltar is like a cortado, which is almost like a macchiato, but an Italian cappuccino is very different from an Australian flat white. Coffee is universally enjoyed, but the techniques and nomenclature are different from country to country. I love hearing about the latest recipe that’s hitting New York or the newest coffee gadget from Japan.

Amanda Wiley

Position: Bookkeeper / Office Manager
Favorite drink: Java brewed in the Clever

What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned in coffee?
The coolest thing I have learned is how delicious coffee is without milk and sugar!

Brian Maiers

Position: Lead Barista, Durham
Favorite drink: Double Espresso

Why do you like working in coffee?
The coffee business is fun because there is always something to learn about. Coffee is literally a global product and its fun to learn and tell customers about the process coffee goes through from the farm to the roastery and then to our shops. I love working with my co-workers at Joe Van Gogh and the community created by the staff and our customers at our shop on Broad Street.

Dutch Hedrick

Position: Head Roaster
Favorite drink: A really good shot of our house espresso

Favorite coffee and why?
Honduras Marcala. A good, aggressive, lightly roasted coffee can really show off the attributes of the bean itself — either good or bad. With the Honduras Marcala, there’s so much about it that’s naturally lovely that it benefits from spotlighting its inherent qualities. It’s the roaster’s job, therefore, to roast the coffee so as to bring out these qualities.

Hayes Wiley

Position: Roastery Leader
Favorite drink: Double short latte

What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned in coffee?
The coolest thing I have learned about coffee is how much goes into the process, beginning with the planting and going all the way to the barista serving the coffee beverage. Each step requires such attention to provide the best cup possible.

Joanne Pelligra

Position: Store Leader, Duke
Favorite drink: Soy Latte, Shot of Espresso

Why do you like working in coffee?
It starts with mornings- I love getting up early-enjoying the start of a new day. There’s nothing better than enjoying that very LARGE cup of fresh brewed coffee- a ritual: sharing the process, smell, and taste of a hot cup of coffee. More things to love about working with coffee: the beautiful coffee trees, coffeehouses, endless drink choices ..and did I say taste! smell! and the fun of drinking/serving coffee!!

Stephanie Calato

Position: Marketing Director
Favorite drink: Double short cappuccino

What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned in coffee?
Watching the seed to cup process of coffee. In a trip to Nicaragua, I picked coffee cherries alongside the farmers and learned of their techniques from harvest to processing. Working at the roastery, I watch the detail put into cupping and roasting the coffee beans. I then walk into one of our stores to have a cup of coffee prepared by our talented baristas using the latest device or technique. There’s a bit of romance witnessing a glimpse of each part’s dedication of their particular craft… it’s inspiring, I love it.

Tracy Gill

Position: Store Leader, Durham
Favorite drink: Double short cappuccino

Why do you like working in coffee?
It’s fun to make drinks and get to know my community at the same time! I love seeing the same faces every day and also seeing new ones. It’s a good feeling when people come back the next day and the next day…

Bella

Position: Greeter
Favorite Drink: water
Why do you like working in coffee? Because of all the attention I get!