Barista Q&A Series - Rachel Hart

Meet Rachel Hart

Rachel is finishing her senior year at UF and, like most seniors, she likes to pretend that she knows what she's doing after graduation when, in reality, it's one big question mark that she likes to ignore. She's hoping to be granted a scholarship with Fulbright to teach English in Costa Rica for a year before attending law school and becoming an immigrant advocacy lawyer. She has spent her time in Gainesville studying Advertising, Spanish and TESL, all while drinking way too much coffee and getting way too little sleep but loving every second of it! Her favorite activity is chatting, so if you see her behind the bar or around campus somewhere, stop and say hi!

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Q&A with Rachel
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How long have you been a Pascal's barista?
​Not long enough.
 
Why did you want to become a barista?
I didn’t want to become just any barista. I wanted to become a Pascal’s barista because I love the coffee that we serve, the people that work behind the bar with me, and the ones that walk through our front door.
 
What kind of coffee do you keep in your pantry?
One of Bold Bean’s latest roasts and some left-over bags from my European adventures this summer.
 
What do you most appreciate about the craft-coffee movement?
People are caring more about the coffee they drink in terms of where it’s from, how it’s roasted, how it was processed, etc. This paradigm shift means the coffee-growing communities are getting more attention and the coffee buyers are being held to higher standards in regards to their relationships with the coffee farmers. I think this craft-coffee movement has led to a change in social justice, which I think is beautiful.
 
If you could have any drink in your cup right now, what would it be?
A nice cortado in a glass cup.
 
What do you do on Saturday night?
I usually enjoy a different form of brewed-beverage with some friends.
 
What song do you have stuck in your head right now?
Growing Up by Run River Wild. Now that I’m a senior, I’ve noticed my song choices are getting a lot more nostalgic.
 
What's your go-to Pandora station at the coffeehouse?
​Alt-J, because I’m scared to try out any of the other ones.
 
What do you think a coffeehouse’s role in the community is?
Sparking conversation. Whether that’s over a cup of coffee, about coffee, across the counter or outside of our walls, Pascal’s coffeehouse should be inspiring meaningful conversations.