Jessica MacDonald
Head Roaster
Square Mile Coffee Roasters
London, United Kingdom
What other coffee jobs have you had?
I have worked in hospitality for about 15 years. I previously worked for a coffee events company where we made coffee at private events, exhibitions, etc., then they bought a roaster and I started roasting for them. Before that I lived in Melbourne and worked at a café that roasted all their own coffee, which is where I learnt to roast in the most basic of forms. Before that I worked in an R&B nightclub in the Goldcoast and various other bars.
What’s your favorite part about working in coffee?
The fact that I’m always learning something new. It’s never always the same. And the people I meet and the friendships I’ve made… Some of the most beautiful people are in coffee.
Where do you ideally see yourself in 10 years?
Living in New Zealand on a farm with John [Gordon, past UK Barista Champion] surrounded by loads of animals and sunshine.
Who and what inspires you?
I know lots of really amazing people but I’m lucky enough to spend every day with the one person that inspires me the most: John Gordon. I’m inspired by how much he’s grown as a person and how caring he is of other people. His complete belief in what he can do is amazing; he can accomplish anything ”even when I’m telling him that his ideas are crazy!
What are you drinking right now?
Sparkling water.
Crazy coffee experience you’d like to share?
Most of my coffee experiences are fairly tame. My most memorable moment is having a producer thank me for what we do with her coffee and making sure they taste good. It was nice to hear that we had done a good job with them. I think as a roaster it’s one of your biggest fears ”that you’ll mess up the roast and waste hours of hard work and care that’s gone into it before it even reaches you.
