Haiti Relief Walk

Just came back from the Haiti relief Walk. The event was organized by the youths from the local UNICEF office, who supplied all the participants with the cowboy hats and collecting buckets. We, fellas from predominantly North London Starbucks, went along as well to raise some cash for the victims of Haiti earthquake.

It was a truly beautiful day to walk - second day in a row, sun was gracing London sky and air was fresh and crisp.
The things got kicked off with an Aroma Lab in Camden Lock store, hosted by Agnes and Migle, the latter being quite a personage (you’ve made my day, honey!). We had a lot of attention and interest from the public, tried some of our whole bean line up. Kenya was the most popular offering, mind you, Kenya has always been a crowd pleaser.
Around noon we started walking and slowly, but surely, marched through Camden Town, Bloomsbery, Holborn, Aldwych and, finally, Waterloo. Apart from us, there were a self-proclaimed “insane” girl, who not just showed some true humanitarian spirit, squeezing pennies from every person crossing her path, she also brought quite few friends along too.
Not just people took part, there were couple of dogs, one of them being a creature of unearthly beauty and the other one, a 3 month old puppy, noisy, hyperactive and generally annoying, but very cute nevertheless. I did ask the animals, how they found out about the walk and some common courtesy stuff, but they just licked my hands and melancholically barked at the pigeons.
It was fun thing to do, I hope we did manage to gather a substantial sum. I was filming the procession and, hopefully, will edit and post the clip here soon.
Watch this space!
PS. In my shop, we also decided to donate three days worth of tips to the Haiti Relief Fund. It is not much, but as they say, every little bit helps.

Stranger than fiction

The other day I was leafing through Vogue Nippon and saw this pic. Does it look real? 
I think it is comp generated image, although friend of mine told me she knew someone who could write your name with foam, or even a map of Oxford Str. 
Awesome! (I don't go to McDonald's out of principal, till last year I haven't even entered the building, this fast food temple. Maybe, I need to go there to try their coffee?)

I am back from holiday now and yesterday went to training session, just observing, but I think gradually I will be a trainer. After almost three week break, it takes me a while to swing back into things. Now I wouldn't produce even a lousiest heart, leave alone rosetta.    

Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony long-awaited doc

Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony from Jeanna Mortimer on Vimeo.


Eventually, I produced the short doc about Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony, that Rahel kindly agreed to perform in the backyard of our Maida Vale store. I filmed it on 12th of November 2009, but I think I needed the decade to turn to actually put it together. (It took me less time that I thought it would, so now I am not scared of editing, hehehe).

PS. It is snowing today and I am very happy. I love snow. After staying in for the last few days, I might venture out today, to check out new cafes, try my luck at the tail of the sales and just write. I find it surprisingly relaxing to work in the cafe, although it is loud sometimes, but I write easier when I am surrounded by people, some background noise helps me concentrate better.
PPS. Merry Russian Christmas!!!

Flat White

So, eventually, I have made it to the Flat White. It lays in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Soho market on Berwick Street, full of unconcerned youths stamping the feet to catchy New Zealand funk. On Saturday afternoon it was very busy, despite it's tiny size.

Verdict?
This place rocks. In a unimitable Kiwi way, that assumes that you have been brought up in an endless sunshine, taught serenity and wisdom by ocean itself and just flow through life, not taking too much too serious.
You will be forgiven for thinking that this all is just a post-Christmas philosophy, but for me it is how their coffee tastes( and looks). Immaculate silky foam, colour of angels wings down, almost peachy brown, and white lily drawn on the surface.

It is creamy and smooth, unmistakable sign of a match made in heaven - espresso and full fat milk. I am very impressed with quality and consistancy of execution (not just my flatty, but every latte and cappuccino that caught my eye, had some kind of drawing on the top). I will be taking here my friends for a coffee or just come to unwind on my own, after exhausting search for Dover Street Market, that after five years of residence in this splendid city I still fail to locate.


This is one of the pics I found on Internet, its Tokyo branch of Dean&Deluca, that took latte art to totally new level, I wish I could go there to work for a week. They don't even have to pay me, just let me drink their divine coffee.

Hey, Dean, hey Deluca, take me on! Ple-e-e-a-a-az-z-z-z-z!

Happy 2010!

There was predictable break in posting over holidays, although for some of the bloggers I am following (mainly fashion crowd), it was business as usual, never mind strict diet of turkey products, mince pies, chocolates, crisps, nuts and TV watching marathons, up to 5 hours in a row, without leaving sofa or changing channel, resulting in gradual softening of the brain. Welcome to my reality, fellas!
The highlight of this season was my Dad's visit to London, his first trip (let us pray, not his last!) abroad. All of a sudden, I saw the city that I thought I knew already, with the eyes of a newcomer. It enchanted me all over again, reminded of just how awfully lucky I am to live here. It gave me energy and inspiration, much needed, to start New Year with grandiose intentions and optimism.

I can sense this year will be one to remember!
P.S. My Dad was amazed at the fact that we grind beans afresh every time we fancy cup-o-coffee. I mean, come on! D'ya expect Coffee Master, no, District Coffee Master to drink, what? Instant coffee? Get real, Dad!