"Life is too short to drink bad coffee."
Grace Kim, the esteemed head barista at The Pantry, is originally from South Korea. Given her background in a trading company, her journey to the world of hospitality was unexpected.
However, a move to New Zealand seven years ago sparked a newfound passion for coffee, driving her to follow her dreams and eventually be appointed as head barista at The Pantry.
With the guidance of a mentor, Kim honed her skills and began participating in competitions. This dedication pushed her to learn and grow and opened doors for her to connect with fellow coffee enthusiasts throughout the industry.
When asked what drew Kim into the hospitality industry, she expressed her love for the sensitive balance between flavours.
"There are so many things that affect the taste of coffee, such as temperature, roast, milk steaming, and so on. I could make it how I like it, different or the same every day," said Kim.
Like many, Kim values the social aspect of working within hospitality and the connections coffee can make between people. She lives for the gratification of building a community of regulars and the smile she receives when she hands over a freshly brewed cup of coffee.
Kim believes the balance between flavours makes a coffee taste good. She prefers batch-brewed single-origin filter coffee, specifically Guji from Ethiopia. The touch of acidity combined with fruity notes is best when it's not too hot, as it allows all flavours to shine.
In her spare time, Kim enjoys exploring the community by visiting new cafes and trying their coffee.
"Discovering new places and good coffee makes me happy," expressed Kim.
"I also like to share these places with friends."
Kim's coffee is best paired with the fresh pastries and cabinet food offered at The Pantry, which is made fresh and bound to start the day off strong.
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