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Julie Wadsworth, Celina, prepares a Chai Charger for an eager customer at Biggby Coffee in Celina on Thursday afternoon. Wadsworth was named Biggby Coffee's Barista of the Year in the northwest Ohio region in September. National Barista Day is Saturday.
CELINA - Julie Wadsworth, a barista of six years, wakes up and smells the coffee every morning.
Wadsworth, 23, was named Biggby Coffee's regional Barista of the Year in September. She was among the seven chosen out of 300 nominated and was given the regional award. Rising Regions, which includes northwest Ohio, is comprised of 101 stores. Customers wrote into the company, praising Wadsworth for her work ethic, dedication to her customers and coworkers and bubbly personality.
"Each year, they have this pool where everybody (customers) chooses who they want (the award to go to) and they make comments about why they choose that barista," Wadsworth said. "I was one of the seven out of 300 and at the end, whoever gets nominated, gets to see all the comments that people make. It's not about how many people choose you, it's the quality of their comments. I read a lot of the comments and it made me cry. I'm glad that I'm loved and they see me as a part of their day and they chose me as their favorite (barista)."
Julie Wadsworth, Celina, prepares a Chai Charger for an eager customer at Biggby Coffee in Celina on Thursday afternoon. Wadsworth was named Biggby Coffee's Barista of the Year in the northwest Ohio region in September. National Barista Day is Saturday.
Wadsworth has been with the company since the Celina location opened in 2019. In fact, she dropped everything when she heard the news about Biggby coming to Celina.
"It was always a dream of mine to be a barista, so when this opportunity came, I got so excited and I had to go for it," she said. "I actually was working at a restaurant as a host and the moment there was news about (Biggby coming to town) I put my two weeks in. I felt bad because I did enjoy the place, but this was always a dream to be a barista."
Wadsworth loves the connection, especially with her customers. She also has a special place in her heart for her coworkers, her manager, Jon and the community.
"My favorite part of the job is definitely the customers. I love making drinks, but the customers are always my favorite part of the day. I open, so, bright and early, I'm one of the first people they see at 5 a.m. and I (love) having that community and being able to see everybody. Especially if I'm having a conversation with them, making their day is just one of my favorite things."
She said having an understanding, caring and compassionate manager has made her fall in love with the job even more.
"Jon is definitely the best boss I've ever had, and he is the reason why I'm good at my job. I strive to do better for him. I think the people behind the workers impact (us). I always want to do better because I respect him and I love him so much, so I always wanna do good for him in this business."
Coffee is certainly an integral part of her day given she likes to arrive at work by 4:45 a.m. She works the opening shift, which is 5 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday and Saturday.
Although she starts work at 5 a.m., the store doesn't open until 5:30 a.m. To prepare for a smooth day, she counts the money drawers, makes sure the espresso shots pull between 19 and 23 seconds, ensures the bagels and muffins are stocked, prepares food items and makes cold brew, lemonade and iced coffee for the day.
To manage stress, Wadsworth prioritizes tasks.
"I'm big on making sure all my side tasks are done, making sure everything is stocked and prepped, but I also have to make sure that my customers are my focus," she said. "Usually I like doing drive- thru, so if we're just taking a little bit longer, I love having that conversation so it seems like it's not taking as long. I've been here for six years, so … busy times aren't as stressful as much as when it's someone who's new."
Julie Wadsworth, Celina, prepares a Chai Charger for an eager customer at Biggby Coffee in Celina on Thursday afternoon. Wadsworth was named Biggby Coffee's Barista of the Year in the northwest Ohio region in September. National Barista Day is Saturday.
Rush hour depends on the day but it is typically consistently busy 8 a.m.-noon. Weekends are significantly busier because of sporting events and people attending church services.
Usually on a slow day, she said she and her 13 colleagues fill 30 to 50 cups an hour, meaning the baristas will take and fulfill 30-50 orders, or drinks, an hour.
Making drinks differs based on whether or not it's coffee-based, the syrups and milks.
For example, to make a Chai Charger, or a chai latte with espresso, Wadsworth fills the cup with ice to the corresponding line of the cup size, adds the milk or milk alternative, chai syrup, however many shots of espresso the customer ordered and then mixes throughly.
Her favorite drink is an Island Bear latte, which is made with coconut, caramel and vanilla. She does decaf espresso and almond milk.
Wadsworth also likes to experiment with flavors, and when a customer asks her to "surprise them" with a drink, she uses it as an opportunity for creative control and expression.
Chatting with the customers is one of her favorite parts of the job, as she views her customers as her friends and cares for them.
Although the submissions are anonymous, Wadsworth was able to decipher who made some of the comments because of the experiences they shared.
"There was (a customer) and we didn't know each other's names. One of her kids said, 'Are you going to see your best friend at Biggby?' Her daughter just assumed that we were best friends because she came in every day.' That was just the sweetest thing, We joke about it still to this day, so I knew exactly who wrote it."
When she read the other comments, she said it felt like she is making an impact.
"There will be times where I'll go on vacation or I'll be sick for a few days so I won't be here and customers will ask about me … and it makes me feel good. 'I'm like, okay I'm making people happy and they want to see me more often.'"
"The opportunities and the memories that I've made here have definitely impacted me, and I love it so much," she continued.
Baristas and customers alike will celebrate National Barista Day on March 1.
