The YouTube sequence, 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
Images courtesy of Jay Lijewski
Have you ever ever puzzled what it’s wish to work within the specialty-coffee world of Los Angeles, Seattle, or different huge cities throughout america? The brand new espresso discuss present “The Shift” provides viewers a firsthand glimpse of espresso tradition in key locales throughout the nation, bringing collectively the leaders driving the tradition for open dialogue discussions—assume “The View” meets espresso.
Co-hosts Trish Rothgeb and Jay Lijewski (each of whom have made their very own mark within the espresso world through the years) share that the sequence is supposed to let viewers “hear in” on precise conversations between business leaders, presenting an genuine take a look at what’s occurring within the espresso world at this time. “The vibe is dialog, not interview. No filters, no agenda. Simply what’s top-of-mind from a number of the finest thinkers within the espresso business,” says Trish, who’s famously recognized 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 discuss present, however had by no means seen it achieved. “I had this concept rattling round in my head for years. I needed to see a sort of discuss present the place we may pay attention to conversations that all of us so usually 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 on the lookout for new initiatives to dive into. “Nearly throughout the identical 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 pacesetter 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 a long time, they usually share that the present has given them an opportunity to carry collectively the entire 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. By means of all of that, I’ve met numerous attention-grabbing and galvanizing individuals—all because of espresso,” Jay explains. “‘The Shift’ is a singular and highly effective technique to doc and archive candid conversations with a few of these of us that we’ve met, grown up with, and fashioned 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 totally different voices. “One of many challenges I face is discovering the best company to hitch the dialog. We have now so many buddies, actually beloved colleagues worldwide, so we have now to drive ourselves out of our consolation zones and ensure to ask of us who we don’t already discuss to always,” Trish explains. “We would like 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 up to now has launched two episodes: the primary filmed at Copa Vida in Los Angeles, and the second, at Seattle’s Caffe Vita, positioned 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 latest 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 (SimplyGoodCoffee) 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 should you’re merely sitting with a bunch of buddies over espresso. “We all know that there’s a number of crossover between common life and low life. We don’t really need the dialog to solely be about espresso, however reasonably of us who love espresso speaking about life,” Jay says.
What’s Subsequent + The place to Watch
Trish shares that she and Jay purpose to provide six episodes of “The Shift” in 2025, they usually hope to get some thrilling movie star company sooner or later. For now, you can begin watching season one on the Image Day YouTube channel right here—and you should definitely comply with The Shift on Instagram for updates.
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