Auresso Coffee Malaysia

Meet the Roaster, Luke Bates, Grand Central Coffee Roasters

What do you do and how did you get into the industry?

I am the owner of a small batch coffee roaster in Perth Australia called Grand Central Coffee Roasters. The business has been going for over five years now.

I entered the industry back in 2006 in a start-up suburban cafe, assisting the owner in overseeing coffee production. I then landed a very sort after job in West Perth at a cafe called Epic Espresso in 2009. Here I discovered a group of people totally and utterly obsessed by coffee, this encouraged my pursuit of learning about the science of roasting.

Share with us an interesting story from behind the scenes.

Some of the enquiries we can get as roasters are very interesting and strange. From, enquiries for buying coffee for home edemas to people ordering half a tonne of coffee from a small regional town in Virginia USA. Strange and confusing but at times provides us with great laughs,

What’s the best/ worst part of your job? 

The best part of my job is working and building relationships with people. Here I am reminded that coffee is just a bridge to far more important things in life, people! The worst part of my job is working and building relationships with people – haha! A business relationship is hard work, compared to a business client approach that we are always attempting to pursue. We become invested in people and their businesses and families. It’s far richer but a harder endeavour at the same time.

What’s your favourite meal/ drink? 

My favourite food is really any meat slow roasted. I have a Webber at home and it’s my best friend. My favourite drink (besides coffee) is either a solid Pale Ale when it’s warmer or a rich dark malty stout in the cooler months.

What’s in store for you in the upcoming months?

We have some awesome coffees coming in, so keep an eye out for new fresh crops from Guatemalan and El Salvador.

Get Luke’s beans delivered to your door here.

One Comment

  1. Luke is a handsome man and I really like his sense of humour. 🙂

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