Jody Joblin is the passionate and hard working owner of Red Cherry Cafe, alongside her husband Gerard. The cafe has been growing for four years since it first opened as Essenza in May 2003, which Jody was an original partner. The old apple packing shed on State Hwy One was converted into the fantastic cafe which now exists with much hard work and vision. Brand new equipment was installed, windows created to allow more light, the concrete floor were ground by hand and leather couches acquired. Prior to its opening Jody had been operating her own coffee training and consultancy business, The Espresso Train Ltd, in the Waikato.

Having originated from Australia, Jody traveled for many years following the seasons between snow and surf working in the hospitality industry. Her peak moment during her Barista “apprenticeship” was working at Dome cafe in central Perth, making coffee for the city workers. These ten hour shifts were like a gym work out, grinding and tamping through 7kgs a day. With two operators, two grinders and milk on tap it was almost espresso overload.
 
 
Just prior to returning to New Zealand, Jody was working in Perth as an espresso trainer and quality assurance technician for Andronicus coffee. This is where she discovered her passion for training and sharing espresso knowledge.


Red Cherry Cafe is well known for consistently excellent coffee. All staff work in the cafe for some time, before they are introduced to the espresso machine, and initially only after careful instruction from Jody.

Living the coffee dream full circle means that Jody and Gerard also roast their own brand. A huge sense of pride and satisfaction is achieved in selecting the blends, hand roasting, post blending and preparing espresso for their own cafe and retail market.
 
 
By Designer Websites