As Eddie Chae prepared to compete in the Auckland regional round of the 2024 New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association (NZSCA) National Barista Championship in March, he was confident he could present and explain his creations in an engaging way because it’s what he does day in, day out at Stroll Coffee.
After working in the business side of the industry for many years, most recently in quality control at Toasted Coffee Roasters, in January 2024 Eddie felt the itch to return to the counter and opened his beachside café in Takapuna.
“I’ve always been passionate about making coffee and bringing a smile to customers’ faces,” he says.
Eddie’s former employer supplies Stroll with a wide variety of locally roasted coffee. The selection, which includes the whole spectrum of roasts from dark and chocolaty to light and fruity, even features some of the single origins Eddie worked with during his time at the company.
“When customers come in and ask for a flat white, I like to take them through the choices,” Eddie says.
“I make sure I have an understanding of what it is they’re after.”
“At the moment, our customers are loving all the options we’re giving them,” he says. “Everyone has a different palate, and we’re trying to cater for all of them.”
Situated right by the beach at Takapuna, Stroll Coffee’s name is inspired by its setup.
“We only do takeaway coffee, so we chose the name because our customers like to go for a stroll on the beach with a coffee in hand,” says Eddie.
The location is also special for Eddie as it’s where he grew up.
“I get to see some old faces, like high school mates walking past,” he says. “It’s been special to come back home.”
Stroll Coffee
48 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand, 0622
Open Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm, Saturday to Sunday 8am to 5pm
This article appears in the June 2024 edition of BeanScene. Subscribe HERE.
