Georgia Pearce has worked at Cafe Fresca for almost four years, a role she called one big journey she was incredibly grateful to have.
Since joining Cafe Fresca whilst still in high school, Pearce has worked her way up to barista and supervisory positions, a long way from her first role in the back kitchen.
"After working part-time back in 2019, I was called the dishes girl. Being on dishes, I got a good understanding of how the kitchen, the cabinet, and the coffee ran - I loved how coffee worked," said Pearce.
In 2021, Pearce made the decision to drop out of school to pursue a barista course at NZMA in Hamilton. After achieving level three and four hospitality credits that September, she became a full-time barista at Cafe Fresca the following year.
Pearce believes that a good coffee has to taste smooth and that there is nothing worse than receiving a bitter coffee or with burnt milk.
"Coffee should have a rich and dense flavour to it. Along with it being the perfect temperature - you can't forget the texture of the milk. When the milk has a nice silky texture, it makes the final coffee taste much nicer."
Ironically, Pearce is not a coffee drinker herself. However, she does enjoy a hot chocolate with coconut milk. She said that coconut milk provides more of a creamier taste than cow's milk.
Cafe Fresca offers a variety of sweet and savoury meals, along with a range of different refreshments. Pearce said that there is always something to please every customer. She also pointed out that Cafe Fresca is committed to serving every customer's dietary needs, be they dairy-free, gluten-free, coeliac, or vegan.
The most rewarding aspect of her job is being able to work with the team around her, whom she described as incredible. She said that the loyal customer base has also made Cafe Fresca feel like a family environment. Pearce added that Cafe Fresca is different from other cafes in the city due to its location and space, which also doubles as an event venue.
When she's not behind the counter, Pearce enjoys spending time with her family and keeping herself busy with several projects she is working on.
Pearce said that her time working at Cafe Fresca has allowed her to create the highest quality vision possible for her future.
