So i've had 2 coffee tastings. one was with my DM when i was interviewing to be promoted to SSV and one was with my SM for the same reason. I did the vietnam blend that i had gotten from one of the big starbucks roasterys and i think i paired it with a chocolate chip cookie? the other I can't for the life of me remember what blend i used but i distinctly remember it had notes of blackberry and citrus. i chose to make my own dessert to pair with it (i have a close friend who went to culinary school so she helped me a ton. i gave her the flavors i wanted to use and she helped me decide and make the dessert) we made mini no bake (besides the crust) cheese cakes with those pepperidge farm lemon cookies used to make the crust and slight lemon flavor in the cheesecake itself with a blackberry sauce we made from scratch topped with a fresh blackberry and lemon peel shavings. i paired it with the coffee i mentioned made as a cold brew that i steeped overnight in a french press at home (easiest way i've found to make cold brew at home is with a french press since you don't need a filter, just press it down after it's steeped) they paired BEAUTIFULLY. and i can tell you right now i am not at all a coffee person. i just looked for a coffee that i could have fun with since i knew i wanted to stand out and make a different food to pair it with than our stuff at sbux.

i've also got an idea for another coffee tasting to use a coffee with cocoa/chocolate notes and make like those chocolate chip cookie cups with dark chocolate chips to drink the coffee out of (you could do it as espresso shots or even just any method of brewing the coffee you'd like) so then the beverage container IS the food it's paired with. that would really stand out.

my old coworker did veranda blend (either pour over or french press i can't fully remember but i wanna say pour over) and paired it with those dark chocolate peanut butter cups we sell and let me tell you i normally HATE veranda AND peanut butter but that combination was PHENOMENAL. it paired so well and i think the brewing method helped change the flavor of the veranda to be way more tolerable than regular brewing with the brewers.

if you want to stand out and you have the means/ ability to make something i'd say make your own food item to pair with a coffee but if you want something simple go for the pour over veranda with the dark chocolate peanut butter cups!! super simple yet wonderful pairing.

like i said i'm not really a coffee person but i really appreciate making coffee and being able to pair it with things as well as where the coffee beans come from. it's just so cool to me

Edit: also you're not too far behind me!! i'm a 247 😊

I never got one ):

Tell a story with your coffee. Why is it your goto coffee, what memory do you have with it or why do you enjoy it.

I've used veranda (true north) and told a story how when we were in our 6 weeks lockdown last week I looked forward to my cup of it I made everyday because it brought me a sense of normalcy and joy.

I have also used Verona and told a story on how it reminded me of another Partner because of the partner wanted a coffee named after him and I let him know there was a coffee. And told him how Verona used to be called Jake's blend and he was over the moon learning that little bit of history.

i don’t know too much abt it but you want to be able to describe the tastes and the notes abt the coffee and why it pairs well w the dessert. also if there is any history behind the certain coffee blend that will definitely get you extra points !

Never got one lol