Archives for January 2008

This amazing piece of beef pictured was grass-fed and raised locally. Over the last several months we have been talking with lots of local farms about getting fresh, local food for Tazza D’Oro. But the best choice for us was Penn’s Corner Farm Alliance. This past summer I had the experience of being a member of their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) for all my produce at home. The variety and selection was impressive. Penn’s Corner was founded in 1999 and has formed a cooperative of about 15 local, family owned farms (about a 50 mile radius) in Southwest PA all of which practice sustainable farming.

So not only will we now have access to fresh, local veggies, greens and fruit we will also be able to buy eggs, cheese, beef, pork, poultry, honey and lots of other surprises throughout the year.

We received our first delivery on Thursday. Seeing Neil walk in the door carrying fresh eggs, mushrooms, apples, honey and beef was really awesome. We all felt really good about it too because we are continuing to support small business owners like ourselves who are passionate about what they do.

We have learned a lot from our coffee roaster, Batdorf and Bronson, about the importance of sustainability and making responsible choices when we purchase. Check out their sustainable practices (click here). Besides their incredible coffee it was another important reason why we chose them 9 years ago.

We have had a long standing goal to share with our staff and customers the carefully crafted links between us and our exceptional coffees: How the coffees are grown and processed out of a relationship between our roaster and the coffee farmers and how our roaster works with us to bring you the best cup of coffee through hand-crafted roasts and barista training. At Tazza D’Oro-we call this “Seed to Cup”. Now we hope to share the same goal with the food that we purchase.

We will continue to carry some of our popular panini and in addition will develop seasonal menus to showcase locally grown food. So stop in for a fresh roast beef panini, pick up an apple or try out our new honey (more info coming soon on our plans for the eggs!).

On February 15th-17th, Emily and Braden will travel to Washington, DC (with Amy as support) to compete in the 2008 Mid-Atlantic Barista Competition as part of Coffee Fest. They will compete against other baristas representing Maryland, Delaware, DC, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They will face 7 or 8 judges who will evaluate them on their technical skills, espresso preparation, milk steaming, drink preparation, presentation and a signature drink. Emily and Braden must discuss and prepare 12 perfect espresso drinks for the judges in 15 minutes!

At Tazza D’Oro we are not attached to where they place in the competition but we are attached to Emily and Braden having one of those memorable “life experiences” – connecting with other coffee professionals and to hopefully see their skills as valued and marketable in the world.

Once again our coffee roaster, Batdorf and Bronson has stepped up. We have spent countless hours on the phone with Oliver Stormshak for tips and training. They are working on a “special” espresso blend with Braden that is so freaking delicious that we may carry it along with the Dancing Goats as another house espresso. And Margret, from the Batdorf and Bronson Roastery, in Atlanta will spend a couple of days in the “burg” to help Emily and Braden practice their routine.

But the best part so far has been when folks from Aldo Coffee came to practice and help. This past Tuesday, Melanie and Rich Westerfield, owners of Aldo Coffee and their 3 great baristas – Belle, Sonya and John came to Tazza D’Oro. Eureka! Coffee community at last. Rich, Melanie, Rachel (our manager) and I shared espresso bar/business experiences (and a few IPAs) while Belle, John and Sonya walked Braden through the elements of barista competition. What a great night – community, peer networking, barista professionals helping the competition take it to the next level. Now that’s what we are attached to!

Batdorf and Bronson – you are the definition of cool! Emily and Braden you make us all proud and we a routing for you. Thank you Aldo Coffee. GO PITTSBURGH BARISTAS!

Dear Conversation Cafe Community
Patricia and I are both looking forward to starting up CCW in 08 and re-connecting with all of you. The next CCW will be held on Thursday, 2-21-08 at Tazza D’oro from 7-9pm. The Topic will be “The Blessings of Frienship”. Once again, we need at least 20 women to attend for the cafe to close. A RSVP is required by Monday 2-18-08 to determine if the cafe is to close for our gathering. The RSVP is very important and you may reply by calling Patricia at 724-439-1936 or jodi at 412-521-3644. You may also RSVP through the blog. There is also a $5.00 at the door. Flyers will be at the cafe for any one to pick up and pass along to those who might be interested in attending. We hope to see you in Feburary. Keep in touch!
Jodi and Patricia