Shannon Savage: Who is Our Head Roaster?
We asked Shannon Savage--our head roaster--a few questions so you could get to know the main face behind your bag of Carabello beans on a personal level…and we learned some Savage Facts ourselves!
SAVAGE FACTS:
What got you into working in coffee?
In 2002, a circuit board company I worked for closed its doors and I needed a job. So I got hired at Boston Stoker Coffee Co. in Dayton, Ohio. I worked in their cafe and then eventually they took me out to their warehouse where they taught me how to roast the coffee and ship orders.
How did you end up at Carabello Coffee?
I met Justin and Emily Carabello at an event at a church. I was wearing a coffee-related t-shirt that Justin owned as well, so we talked and Justin told me that I should come roast for Carabello once they had a cafe. Eventually, that’s exactly what I did. [You might say, “We made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”]
What is your favorite Carabello Coffee memory?
My favorite memory was when our friend Luis Balladerez came from Nicaragua to visit our Newport cafe. Myself and one of our other roasters at the time, Jacoby, took Luis and his wife out to breakfast. It was just so great having him here to show him where we roast and brew his coffee.
If you didn’t work in coffee, what else would you be doing?
Honestly, I can’t think of anything else! [That’s because coffee is awesome!]
What do you like to do outside of coffee?
I enjoy hanging out with my family and raising chickens and show rabbits, which one of my sons shows as part of 4-H. I also enjoy running and playing disc golf!
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?
If I could live anywhere in the US, I would live in Washington State. I lived there for a few years when I was younger and I love the scenery and the weather out there. Internationally, if I could live anywhere it would be Honduras–it’s just a whole different culture where there are new things to learn and understand. While visiting Honduras on a coffee-related trip, I didn’t know the language and had a few days where the place we were at didn’t have power or running water. It was a totally different experience.
What inspires you as a roaster?
I love that I can take a raw product that other people have dedicated hard work to and turn it into something many other people enjoy.
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We hope you enjoyed getting to know our head roaster, Shannon Savage! We are big fans of his here at Carabello Coffee and we hope you feel just a bit more connected to the roasted beans filling your cup.