Monday, March 31, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Why does it have to be so stressful?
Let me tell you about my day...
First, I got up and made my wife the best iced latte she has ever had (she did not say that, I just know). Then, it was breakfast for me and a shower. I then sat at my desk and began getting follow up letters written and filled out to go out this week to all the brides that gave us their information. On the bright side, there were more than I thought there were. That means I need to make more info kits. Fun.
So, at this rate, you think this is going to be one of those long and drawn out play by plays don't you? Hah.
At about 11:30 this morning, I was off to Edmond, Oklahoma to take my mom to her doctors appointment. They were doing some tests so she could not drive. I dropped her off at 12:30ish and then off to lunch with a buddy. The, back to Edmond to pick up my mom and take her home. Then. back to Downtown Edmond for a few things.
Number 1: A stop at the DMV to get the paper work and vision test for my Oklahoma DL.
Number 2: A stop at the bank for some deposits
Number 3: A stop by a client to quote an event and check out the space
Number 4: A stop to the tag agency to get new tags and my DL printed
Fun huh?
Well, I ended up sitting in the DMV for almost 2 hours which was pretty cool. Yup, me and a bunch of kids getting their permits and DLs for the first time. Once I finally got that taken care of, I went to the tag agency and found that I could not use a credit card for my entire purchase. So, it was off the bank - again - to get my ATM card re-pinned so that I could get cash. That done, I was back to the agency and got things taken care of.
I miss my Montana license and plates though, already.
By the time I was done with all of this stuff - it was 5:00. Where did this day go? Tomorrow I MUST stay at my desk as much as possible to get paperwork done and get things rolling again. I feel behind and the press to get events is getting more and more tense as our credit card bills are beginning to stack up.
More to come tomorrow. Good evening to you.
...be bold
The Global Exchange Fair Trade Store is your Online Source for Socially Conscious Gifts |
...a thought by Cafe Evoke Coffee Catering at 3/25/2008 07:02:00 PM
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Clover to the Masses - via Starbucks?
I literally was just talking about this a few days ago. I was talking about how the new Clover was being used in several of Starbucks stores as a test. Well, I guess it went well...Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ:SBUX) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire The Coffee Equipment Company and its proprietary Clover(R) brewing system. The Coffee Equipment Company is a privately held coffee equipment developer and manufacturer based in Seattle, Wash. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The Coffee Equipment Company is best known for developing the revolutionary Clover(R) system, one of the most significant innovations in coffee brewing since the espresso machine. The Clover(R)'s specialized brewing process allows a barista to quickly deliver one freshly brewed cup of coffee at a time. This technique, which blends the best of the vacuum pot and coffee press methods, further develops and unlocks the unique flavor nuances of specialty coffees. You can read the rest of the article here. I will say that this is quite the buzz on coffee social networking sites like Barista Exchange. People are really trying to figure it all out.
What does this mean for independents that have been using this machine to set themselves apart? How will Starbucks use this new machine and acquisition? Will the Clover now be harder to get? Will smaller shops now be using Starbucks as a supplier?
In a way, I am happy for the guys at Clover. This is a huge step. In a way, I am happy that Starbucks is going to begin really trying to educate people in their stores that there is more to specialty coffee than big gulp frozen drinks (although there is nothing wrong with those if you are in to them). Is this just a marketing ploy by the company like I talked about when they closed for training?
I guess all we have to do is wait and see. I hope that, if anything, these are easier to get in the future. It is a great machine and one that will be great for all stores to use to really explain the differences in coffees. Maybe you will be able to try many different kinds now.
I am sitting here thinking about how Starbucks really is concerned with moving lines. I have written about this several times in the past 4 years. Maybe they are changing that but if not, how are they expecting to have people wait around for their cup of coffee? I know the Clover doesn't take that long to brew but it is not going to be as quick as what they probably want. Interesting.
This post is a bit of a ramble. I just found out about this a few minutes ago and am basically thinking out loud. More to come on this soon I'm sure..
...be bold
The Global Exchange Fair Trade Store is your Online Source for Socially Conscious Gifts |
...a thought by Cafe Evoke Coffee Catering at 3/19/2008 12:50:00 PM
Oklahoma Wedding Expo
The Oklahoma Wedding Expo is this weekend at the Oklahoma State Fair Park - only a mile or two from our new house in Oklahoma City. I just found out about this event yesterday and made a call. The director and I have been playing phone tag since. I should be able to get in touch with her today and get the low-down. She says she knows of a way to get us involved without having to go through a bunch of hoops. We will see.
Cafe Evoke Catering has done this type of event before - twice in fact without much of a stir. I think we only booked maybe 1 event through these shows and that was very indirect. So, why am I thinking about doing the Oklahoma Wedding Expo?
We need advertising - bad!
This show is pretty steep so we may wait until the next one to enter and go as "civilians" to focus on meeting planners and venues, passing out brochures, and seeing if this show has a good turnout and is something we want to be a part of. This market is so much bigger and weddings are a big deal so I have to think we could get at least two which would pay off the booth space.
Really, I just need to talk with the director and see what she has to say. I am using caution this time around with events like this and will need to be pretty confident it will be good for us before I commit. So, I will keep you updated. We would love to see you there. (I say that, I am not even sure I have any Oklahoma readers)
Here is the show schedule:
Oklahoma State Fair Grounds
Modern Living Building
March 21 & 22, 2007
Friday Night & Saturday
Show Hours:
Friday - 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Saturday - 11:00am to 4:00pm
Fashion Shows
7:00 pm Friday
1:00 pm Saturday
...be bold
The Global Exchange Fair Trade Store is your Online Source for Socially Conscious Gifts |
...a thought by Cafe Evoke Coffee Catering at 3/19/2008 07:00:00 AM
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Who Are We?
Yesterday was my toughest day with Cafe Evoke Catering since we moved to Oklahoma City. While I think some of it is missing the mountains of Montana, some of it is the struggle with Evoke. For the past 3 years, I have been wrestling with the company trying to make it one way or another. Who exactly is Cafe Evoke Catering?
I spent time on the phone with a handful of Oklahoma event planners. I realize now that there are two tiers of event planners. I found the group I was talking to on a site designed to gather information on companies from caterers to planners, to venues. Many had profiles saying they had the best experience and could help the most. I called and got the idea that these groups are way to important to take phone calls from vendors who may be able to fill a niche their clients have been looking for. It was not only frustrating but made me begin thinking about how Evoke does business.
Then, last night, Jenni and I picked up the first run of Brides of Oklahoma - the magazine for the Oklahoma wedding industry. Weddings are a big deal for coffee caterers so we try to stay as close as possible to this industry. After reading that magazine, I saw so many event management companies that don't waste time on Internet sites like the one I pulled from. They set a tone of quality but also a since that they are their to help. That is the crowd Evoke needs to be a part of.
At times, I feel it should be this grassroots activist coffee company. A company that is all about making things "right" with this
production line, the journey of coffee. We have been vocal with our involvement with the Fair Trade program and with other social coffee groups. I still think this is an important thing for us to work on.
At other times, I feel that Evoke should be this hip, trendy, big city coffee company. A company that focuses on trendy night life, the arts, wine and beer, and quality that can only be matched by 5 star places.
It is obvious now that we are a company made up of some of both of these ideas. Why am I spending so much time trying to guide Evoke to some sort of pre-planned coral? Evoke needs to be what it is. We are Oklahoma's premier specialty coffee catering company. We are a leader in quality in the specialty coffee catering niche. We are black tie, we are formal, we are grateful for our customers appreciation for information. I'm done pushing Evoke in different directions every month. We want to set the stage for people understanding from the start that they are working with the best.
Evoke Catering is the premier specialty coffee caterer in this area. We are here to help and here to provide a quality service not seen by another coffee catering service. We may be more expensive and we may have different menu options but we will gladly sit down with our customers and design services to fit seamlessly with their events.
There are companies out there that do this because they thought it would be cool to be in this industry. Evoke does it because we live it. It is time to let Evoke be Evoke.
...be bold
The Global Exchange Fair Trade Store is your Online Source for Socially Conscious Gifts |
...a thought by Cafe Evoke Coffee Catering at 3/18/2008 05:41:00 AM
Friday, March 14, 2008
Lamill Coffee - LA
 I found a new shop that I look up to - Lamill Coffee. Located in Los Angeles, Lamill is doing many of the things that I hope Evoke does in it's near future.
If I haven't said it 102 times, I've said it 126 times - one of my favorite days is when the newest episode of Fresh Cup or Barista Mag show up. I literally will read them cover to cover the first day and then have my nose in them almost everyday after for a week or two. I can't get enough.
Well, I was reading in the newest Fresh Cup and came across a section that I always enjoy reading - Cafe Crossroads. In this section, the magazine interviews and outlines a coffee company from our industry. This column ranges from small operations to large ones and really has no framework other than the business being in coffee. It's great to see what others are doing. I was really caught up by this months Crossroads.
Lamill Coffee (logo came from their website) is a cool place and if I lived in LA, I would be a regular. Here is a bit from the Who We Are section on their site:We are consumed by coffee. Not just experts, we are zealots, solely focused on the bronzed bean. We don’t do gourmet olives, we don’t do baked goods and we don’t do after-coffee mints. Heck, we like coffee breath. At LA MILL we only do coffee.
We are equally obsessive about our clients. We’ve made a pledge to our clients, to supply them with not only the finest coffee in the world but also to deliver a service program that is unlike anything in the industry. Our pledge is what distinguishes us from the competition. We’re not here to tell you what you want to hear, we’re here to make a difference to your business.
Like a good chef, we have an area of expertise and this is what we stick to. We’ve no interest in catering to the masses. If you’re looking for a low-cost provider, that’s not us. If you’re looking for eclectic premium coffee and a service program unique to the industry, that’s us—we’re LA MILL COFFEE. These guys are what Evoke hopes to be I think. While our concept is different in many areas, I think this is the first place I have heard of that really seems to have the same attitude as Evoke - upscale, eclectic, friendly, coffee oriented, passionate, serious, fun. There is something humbling about a coffee "boutique" that can be as firm with their offering (menu) as Lamill and now come across as snobbish or unjust.
I think that is a fine line that every specialty coffee shop needs to be careful of. While your customer is always right (you know what I mean), you still have to be who you are. I hear horror stories from friends who have walked in to shops that I would say have the right things going. Stories of baristas being out right assholes and almost refusing to make a mocha. Not good.
I have not met the staff at Lamill yet but based on the interview, I feel like they have the right head on their shoulders. They understand that the customers are how they survive and they want to pass along the passion of coffee and espresso that they have to their customers. Smart.
What I like most about this shop, however, is that they paired with an esteemed LA Chef. They are unique in their food. They are unique in their service. And they are providing an experience - not just a cup of coffee or a shot of espresso.
Evoke is going to happen - one way or another - and probably in Oklahoma City. Lamill will be a shop that I hope to talk with before we go forward with our version of a great coffee retail operation.
...be bold
The Global Exchange Fair Trade Store is your Online Source for Socially Conscious Gifts |
...a thought by Cafe Evoke Coffee Catering at 3/14/2008 06:34:00 AM
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Clover to the Masses
Heard about it? I am sure you have heard all about our friends at Starbucks closed for training a few days ago. You may have even heard that they are going to be putting La Marzocco machines back in their stores. Did you also know there are a few Clovers in the Starbucks family?
What is the Clover? It is a single cup commercial coffee brewer. Why so great? Well, I think it is still left to be determined but so far, many people are really in to it. I am not sure what type of saturation they will get, however, at a price of $11,000.00 per unit but the idea behind it is what gets coffee lovers excited.
 Here is a something to think about. You are in to wine (ok, just go with me here). When you go to a wine bar you are not offered just two selections. No, you are offered a menu of different wines with different characteristics from different parts of the world. From Napa and Sonoma to Bordeaux and Australia - the consumer is able to really taste the difference and select a wine depending on their mood.
Coffee is much like wine. It does not go a single publication of Wine Spectator without talking about coffee. There is much more to coffee than a white cup and a donut. Each region is different and the regions are vast - Hawaii, South American, African and more. Now, there is a way for the coffee enthusiast to try them all - fresh and made to order.
The Clover is a great machine and I would not mind having one in my own shop or on my counter for that matter. I think the coffee consumer is turning the corner of the prosumer - wanting nothing but the best. I think we are a long way off from seeing Clovers on the counter of all local coffee companies but even seeing them on the counter of a Starbucks is great to see.
Do I think that Starbucks has a few coffees worth trying? Maybe. From what I have tasted, however, I feel that they are going to loose much of the benefit as the roast profile of these offerings is typically pretty dark. The darker the coffee, the less uniqueness it has and the less differences you will taste cup to cup. This "new" machine allows shops to bring in more single origin coffees for tastings and also should help drive whole bean sales - which we love to see!
I will have to turn again the the master of Starbucks over at Starbucks Gossip. He talked about the Clover in Starbucks and it got 26 others (so far) replying. i do agree with one of the quotes from the posts - the Clover will not make better coffee. A great machine helps but a great machine will not make bad coffee better. You have to start with great coffee to really get the benefit of the Clover. I am excited to see what the group will do with the Clover.
You can learn more about the Clover at their website.
...be bold
The Global Exchange Fair Trade Store is your Online Source for Socially Conscious Gifts |
...a thought by Cafe Evoke Coffee Catering at 3/13/2008 06:06:00 AM
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
New Package Options and an Email Newsletter
The day has finally come when Cafe Evoke Catering is ready to begin adding package options to our menu to go along with the rest of the premier packages we already. Over the past few months, we have been serving menus including:
The American Menu (all the coffee shop favorites)
The Traditional Menu (nothing but tradition)
European Sipping Chocolates
Italian Soda Bar
Granita
Hot and Iced Tea
We are happy to say that we are now going to be adding to that list of great options. In the coming weeks, look to Cafe Evoke Catering for your blended drink and smoothie catering needs as well! There will be much more on this coming soon but keep in touch so that you don't miss it!
Want a great way to keep in touch with Cafe Evoke Catering? Sign up for our monthly newsletter. With this letter, you will receive information on specials, new packages, industry updates, and special events. You will also be invited to private Evoke parties when they happen.
There is a lot going on right now and you don't want to miss it!
...be bold
The Global Exchange Fair Trade Store is your Online Source for Socially Conscious Gifts |
...a thought by Cafe Evoke Coffee Catering at 3/12/2008 05:55:00 AM
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Getting Back to Normal
Well, things are finally getting back to normal today here in Oklahoma City. Our house is finally getting in shape and we are ready to get plugged in and on with it. We had our first event in a week yesterday for a pharma rep and it went well - very small turn out but a good introduction for our new smaller set up. There were a few things, however, that made it interesting:
1. I forgot my tamper. The problem with using this small set up is that things are not in the normal places. When we use our cart, things are always there and ready to go but not so much when you don't have built in cabinets, etc. So, I had to improvise. First, I used a spoon to try and level out the espresso in the portifilter. That did not work that great so I used my finger to lightly tamp before I extracted the shots. It worked, actually, pretty well. The espresso was pulling in the proper time and things were ok.
2. 12 oz cups do not fit under the portifilter of a Simonelli MAC2000. I have not used that machine in months and when I got there I realized I did not have two shot glasses either. So, I had to use one shot glass and hold the cup under the other side each time I made a drink.
Basically, I did not feel prepared. I know what to expect now, however, and am ready for the next round. Friday is the next time we will be serving coffee and it will be a lot of fun.
There are also some changes to our menu that will be happening soon. Cafe Evoke Catering will begin serving smoothies and frozen coffee drinks in the coming weeks. Much more on that later (trust me).
Have a good Tuesday.
...be bold
The Global Exchange Fair Trade Store is your Online Source for Socially Conscious Gifts |
...a thought by Cafe Evoke Coffee Catering at 3/11/2008 05:26:00 AM
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Moving Moving and Moving
I know you were wondering why I have not been writing - moving. We are getting closer to having a few inches of space in our house to move around in. My car is full of boxes that need to go down to recycling or to a moving company for reuse and a few things need to be painted and we are set.
My office has become a desaster again with the extra stuff that showed up but that will be fixed today. Then, it is back to work with Cafe Evoke and Cafe Evoke Catering. Yes, I am going to begin talking about both companies now because I am about to start work on a new business plan for the coffee house. We are in a new market, we have new ideas, and, well, it just needs to be re-written.
Have a great Tuesday. More writing from OKC soon.
...be bold
The Global Exchange Fair Trade Store is your Online Source for Socially Conscious Gifts |
...a thought by Cafe Evoke Coffee Catering at 3/04/2008 06:08:00 AM
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Can you?
I can't taste the difference. They did put my name on the cup for me, though. It did not even matter that I was the only one in there.
But, I'm not going to talk about it anymore. I don't really care either way.
...be bold
The Global Exchange Fair Trade Store is your Online Source for Socially Conscious Gifts |
...a thought by Cafe Evoke Coffee Catering at 3/02/2008 09:00:00 PM
I had a brief chance yesterday to stop by Oklahoma City's newest specialty coffee retailer - Coffee Slingers. I did not get to spend as much time there as I would have liked but I did get a few of the details. Here is what I like about the new shop:
