Coffee has always been Olivia Roberston's passion, and she loves nothing more than seeing customers enjoy her coffee creations.
With humble beginnings at Continental Caterers, Roberston was propelled into the world of hospitality at age 16. A keen coffee drinker since then, she eventually took a barista course and acquired a barista certificate.
From there, her love and obsession with coffee simply grew.
As the Café Manager, Duty Manager and Head Barista at Suburban Rascal, Roberston now passes on her passion for coffee by helping train and upskill others.
The most rewarding aspect of her job at Suburban Rascal is building connections with all their amazing regulars.
"We have such a good local following being located in a Suburban area. You really get to know the customers well, and it is a real buzz delivering them fantastic food and coffee."
In Roberston's opinion, the defining feature of a great coffee is the first sip. From that first sip, you can taste just how much care a Barista has taken throughout the brewing process to deliver that tasty cuppa coffee.
Roberston's all-time favourite coffee is Underground Avant Garde, a medium-bodied & chewy blend of complex caramel sweetness rounded out by a smooth, lingering dark chocolate cacao finish.
"I've used it before at different jobs, and it is such a smooth, even coffee every time. Delicious!"
Coffee culture is huge in New Zealand, and with the rise of wellness culture, there has been a shift towards plant-based milk as consumers seek dairy-free alternatives. Black coffee is also making a strong comeback.
For those wanting to make barista-style coffee in the comforts of their home, Roberston highly recommends spending money on a good machine and learning how to use it properly.
