Innovative Auckland Coffee Shop Shakes Up Barista Scene – CoffeeTalk

Slow Koi, a coffee shop in Auckland, has opened at Strand Arcade, offering up to 12 different types of coffee every three to four weeks. Owner Blues Shim believes that baristas in New Zealand often find themselves repeating the same menu, using the same machines and grinders, and making the same coffee over and over again for years. This is a significant factor in why baristas experience burnout, and last year he saw a concerning number of baristas leaving the industry. Shim believes that for a person to choose a profession, they must meet one of two conditions: it must be a job that pays well or it must be a profession they truly love and are passionate about. Being a barista is not a high-paying job, and in New Zealand, the diversity of this profession is hard to find.

Shim, a trained chef and part of W.D Group, runs hospitality businesses in the Auckland region, including Yooa & Tako Japanese Takeaway. He believes that food has a unique power that other businesses don’t have; it has the ability to bring people together. He always tells his team that they are not just selling food and drinks; they are selling culture and experiences. They are artists, and they are working to provide an experience that brings all the feelings of home, not just a place with delicious food.

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