Yesterday, I was invited to BBC Radio Derby. Well I say I was invited but actually I dont think I would’ve been if it wasnt for the fact I was with the 2006 & 2007 UK Barista Champion, James Hoffman.
Jim was in Derby on behalf of La Spaziale and of course PureBeans to help improve Espresso techniques etc for the people of Derby and the East Midlands but I will cover that later.
About Radio Derby, I woke up at about 7.30am and I was as nervous as anything!!! I spoke to Jim who was very laid back “its only Local Radio – no-one will be listening” this didnt help! We got to the radio station at 11am-ish. We were greeted by the presenter – Aleena Naylor – she was really friendly and into her coffee! We chatted for a short while and then shifted the espresso machine into the kitchens. Bizarrely, the kitchen was on the top floor – 2 flights of stairs to carry up a 60kg machine. Nice.
She finally left us about 11.40am with her programme due to start 20 mins later. I was really quaking. She came upstairs at 12.15pm and, despite a shaky start, things went ok. Jim was a true pro and sounded good. They tasted the coffee and the really liked it! (unsuprisingly!) and we gave Aleena her very own blend which she enjoyed. Hopefully she will keep plugging PureBeans on her show!
