The warmest of welcomes to Zoe, our new Head Roaster & Operations Manager. Zoe joins us with a wealth of roasting and barista experience, plus a Q Grader certification to boot! We’re absolutely delighted to have her aboard the good ship Red Bank, and are excited for what the future holds.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how your journey in coffee began?
Hi I'm Zoe and I'm originally from Zimbabwe, and I first came to England for university. Before starting, I decided to take a gap year and I picked up a part-time job in a specialty coffee shop - and that completely changed everything. I got hooked on the industry really quickly. There was so much more to coffee than I’d ever realised, and from that point on I pretty much decided, “Yep, this is what I want to do.” Fast forward five years and here I am.
What first drew you to the role at Red Bank?
What really stood out to me was the way Red Bank approaches sourcing. There’s so much care put into relationships at origin, and it’s done in a genuine, hands-on way. That’s exactly what made me want to work in coffee in the first place - it’s more than just a caffeine boost. There’s a whole chain of people who work incredibly hard to get it to you, and that deserves real appreciation.
What’s currently inspiring you in the coffee industry? Any origins, producers, or coffees you’re excited about?
I love seeing new projects pop up in countries that are just starting to explore the specialty market. When producers get the tools and support to push quality, it takes a lot of effort and often quite a bit of risk-especially for places that aren’t already well-known. So it’s always exciting to highlight those coffees, not because they’re the “next big thing,” but because they’re genuinely delicious and represent something meaningful.
How have you found life in the Lake District so far?
It’s honestly so beautiful. I’ve always wanted to live near lakes, so being here feels like a dream. I’m really excited to get more into the outdoors -especially hiking - and explore as much of the area as I can.
