COFFEE CREW OF A CUP OF COMMON WEALTH: ZACH JOSEPH (PART 1 OF 2)

Zach was born and raised in what is probably the most southeast part of Kentucky – Letcher County.  He grew up in a small, mountainous town and tried to be involved in as many activities as he could find. 

In high school, Zach was part of the academic team, drama team, speech team, soccer team, the A-team (joking), and he tried to be okay at playing tennis.  Besides that, Zach spent most of his high school days playing way too many video games, especially spending time with his World of Warcraft Human Warrior character named Catheros.

He moved to Lexington a year and half ago to study at the University of Kentucky.  After switching his major about a million times, Zach has finally (maybe) decided on a degree in Mathematical Economics. 

In his off time, he likes to spend time playing guitar at UK’s Baptist Campus Ministry, singing in the UK Choristers, trying to find time to be in musicals, and trying his best to annoy Allison while she’s working.

Being a barista at A Cup of Common Wealth is Zach’s first job, and he couldn’t ask for a crazier, grosser, and more fun group of people to work with.

And now, questions upon questions for Zachariah (but you only get to see the first ten today…maybe the rest in a few days) --- check it out below:

1) What drew you to the coffee industry?

Honestly, at first it just sounded like a really fun, summer job. I didn’t want to work anywhere that I would be chained down to a desk the whole time or that I would have to be serving fast food. A coffee shop just has such a great feeling of customer interaction and friendliness that you can’t get at many other places.

2) Why A Cup of Common Wealth?

The first time I ever went into ACoCW was on the day you guys were giving away Pay-It-Forwards to any UK student for the basketball game that day.  Being the college student that I am, I sprinted down to the shop to get my (FREE!) coffee.  Once I walked in those doors I was welcomed by some awesome baristas (I won’t reveal those names) who were super friendly and energetic. They were even willing to have a conversation with me, something that isn’t always easy to find in the service industry.  After that day, I decided that I would love to work here, and the rest is history.

3) What's your favorite coffee drink and why?

I’d have to go with a good ole pour over, most likely of some Stumptown Hairbender.  I just love the whole process of making a pour over, and the results always bring out some great flavors in the coffee.

4) What's your favorite non-coffee drink and why?

Definitely a 9 Peaches of 8; an Ale-8 with peach and cream is about as Kentucky as a drink could get!

Zachy doing his best Willy Wonka impersonation!

5) What's your favorite part of being a barista?

Definitely all the awesome interactions I’ve had with the customers/baristas.  Making drinks is awesome, but the fun you get to have with everyone else definitely trumps it.

6) What is one of your guilty pleasures?

Not super guilty about it, but I spend waaaaay too much money on comic books every week.  They just tell stories in such a cool way, and I’ve honestly gotten some of my favorite literature in the form of a comic book.

7) When is the last time you broke a rule and what was it?

I probably break the speed limit a little too often when I’m on the interstate, but you would too if you had a powerful Ford Fusion like I do (four whole cyclinders!).

8) What's something about yourself that you wish more people knew about you?

How seriously in love I am with music.  It’s probably my greatest passion: playing, listening, and watching.

Zachariah serenading the shop one Saturday morning.

9) What's your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving.  It’s all the great food and family of Christmas without the stress of presents.

10) What advice would you give to your 10 year old self?

You should start learning an instrument now, and be sure you never, ever meet Salvador Sanchez.