The YouTube collection, created by business veterans Trish Rothgeb and Jay Lijewski, brings the espresso neighborhood collectively for candid, roundtable-style discussions.
BY EMILY JOY MENESES
ONLINE EDITOR
Photographs courtesy of Jay Lijewski
Have you ever ever questioned what it’s prefer to work within the specialty-coffee world of Los Angeles, Seattle, or different large cities throughout america? The brand new espresso speak present “The Shift” offers viewers a firsthand glimpse of espresso tradition in key locales throughout the nation, bringing collectively the leaders driving the tradition for open dialogue discussions—suppose “The View” meets espresso.
Co-hosts Trish Rothgeb and Jay Lijewski (each of whom have made their very own mark within the espresso world over time) share that the collection is supposed to let viewers “pay attention in” on precise conversations between business leaders, presenting an genuine have a look at what’s happening within the espresso world in the present day. “The vibe is dialog, not interview. No filters, no agenda. Simply what’s top-of-mind from among the greatest thinkers within the espresso business,” says Trish, who’s famously identified for coining the time period “third-wave espresso.”
The Inspiration
When requested what impressed “The Shift,” Trish shares that she’s all the time needed to observe a roundtable-style espresso speak present, however had by no means seen it carried out. “I had this concept rattling round in my head for years. I needed to see a sort of speak present the place we might eavesdrop on conversations that all of us so typically have in espresso—with our buddies and colleagues, or within the business,” she says. “I’ve seen examples of those sorts of roundtable (discussions) on-line, however not for espresso.”
Electrified by the concept, Trish turned to Jay Lijewski, who she had labored with on the primary Oscillations espresso occasion in Chicago. Coincidentally, Jay had simply launched his personal industrial movie home, Image Day Works, with PJ Neuhoff, and was in search of new initiatives to dive into. “Nearly inside the similar breath after ending my pitch to Jay, I requested if he’d wish to co-host with me,” Trish says. “I feel it was meant to be!”
“For many years, I’ve seen Trish as a frontrunner who’s actual and approachable. So, when she reached out, PJ and I jumped on the alternative to assist get ‘The Shift’ off the bottom,” Jay provides.
The 2 co-hosts have labored within the business for the previous few many years, and so they share that the present has given them an opportunity to carry collectively all the espresso individuals they’ve met alongside their journeys.
“I’ve been concerned in competitors and occasions, totally on the organizing/emcee aspect: issues like regional occasions, USBC, WBC, Nordic Barista Cup, and extra. Via all of that, I’ve met numerous fascinating and provoking individuals—all due to espresso,” Jay explains. “‘The Shift’ is a novel and highly effective approach to doc and archive candid conversations with a few of these people that we’ve met, grown up with, and shaped lifelong friendships with.”
Trish provides that, whereas it’s been nice to reconnect with some longtime buddies, she additionally hopes to listen to views from completely different voices. “One of many challenges I face is discovering the correct friends to hitch the dialog. Now we have so many buddies, actually beloved colleagues worldwide, so we have now to drive ourselves out of our consolation zones and ensure to ask people who we don’t already speak to continuously,” Trish explains. “We wish it to be a recent and rewarding dialog with hopefully some surprises. And I’m stoked to be stunned, truthfully.”
A Have a look at Los Angeles and Seattle Espresso Tradition
Sponsored by Melitta, “The Shift” has formally launched its first season on YouTube and to this point has launched two episodes: the primary filmed at Copa Vida in Los Angeles, and the second, at Seattle’s Caffe Vita, situated inside KEXP Studios.
In episode one, visitor audio system Michael Adinew (Cafe Hilm), Mo Maravilla (Kindness + Mischief Espresso), Phillip “Leeroy” White (espresso competitor and of BlackL!ne Social), and Steve Chang (Copa Vida) focus on urgent points like record-high C-market costs, the current L.A. wildfires, and gender and racial inequality throughout the business.
Episode two brings collectively Sam Spillman (Caffe Vita), Ali Güldüren (Boon Boona Espresso), Paolo Bicchieri (Eater), and Laura Sommers (The Espresso Dept) for talks about music, skilled progress, and the importance of Seattle within the specialty-coffee world.
From one episode to the following, the conversations stay genuine and candid—as when you’re merely sitting with a bunch of buddies over espresso. “We all know that there’s lots of crossover between common life and occasional life. We don’t actually need the dialog to solely be about espresso, however moderately people who love espresso speaking about life,” Jay says.
What’s Subsequent + The place to Watch
Trish shares that she and Jay purpose to supply six episodes of “The Shift” in 2025, and so they hope to get some thrilling movie star friends sooner or later. For now, you can begin watching season one on the Image Day YouTube channel right here—and be sure you observe The Shift on Instagram for updates.
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