Nick Heynecke moved from South Africa to Aotearoa over 26 years ago, and with a 16-year-long career in the hospitality sector, he first learned the ropes of coffee making when his brother opened a Muffin Break in 2007.
In the years that followed, Heynecke continued working at numerous cafes like Mount Eden based, The Return Of Rad, which introduced him to the world of specialty coffee and latte art. He loved the creative self of expression that coffee making has and how it connected so many people.
"Honestly, the most rewarding aspect of the job is getting to know the wonderful people I call my regulars," said Heynecke, a barista at Ellerslie's Pastrami & Rye. "Coffee has allowed me to be an integral part in helping countless people positively start their day."
Great coffee is balanced in espresso and has velvety steamed milk poured with aesthetics and texture in mind. Heynecke's go-to coffee order is a Piccolo Latte, and he enjoys Pastrami & Rye's, The Breakfast Sausage, which he will specifically go to the cafe for, even on his days off.
Known for its hot sandwiches, The Reuben and The Cuban, the cafe prepares its pastrami and bacon on-site.
Heyenecke encourages customers to be inquisitive when they get the chance with their local barista because there is far more to know about coffee than the average consumer realises.
He enjoys playing football and baking. During the pandemic, he also started running his coffee and food truck at Point Chevalier, leading to his meeting with his life partner, with whom he now has a baby.
