Barista of the Month - Clare, SOAE COFFEE - January 2026

Meet Clare from SOAE COFFEE, our Barista of the Month for January 2026 – the first of the year!

What’s your name and where do you work?
I’m Clare, and I run SOAE COFFEE in Pennant Hills.

What inspired you to become a barista?
After my mum passed away, I needed something to keep me going. I just started working in a cafe with zero experience, and one day I saw the barista from behind and they just looked so cool. I fell in love with it right away. The journey to becoming a barista wasn’t easy, but I kept going, and after a lot of ups and downs, I finally became a barista at 45.

How do you start your day before a shift?
I’m usually the one who opens the cafe in the morning, and I do it alone. I like to go in about an hour early because I enjoy setting everything up slowly. That’s how I make sure I don’t miss anything and everything’s perfect before opening. Then I make myself a coffee and just enjoy it slowly. That slow, quiet moment is honestly why I love running a cafe. It feels like I’m in a different world before the morning rush hits.

What’s your favourite part of working at the café?
I love seeing customers enjoy the coffee I make. It feels really special knowing that even a small cup of coffee can help someone start their morning in a good mood, and that I get to be a little part of that.

Do you have any tips for perfecting latte art?
Smooth milk, steady hands, and don’t overthink it.

What’s your favourite blend or origin, and why?
I’m not super picky about coffee, but personally I don’t really enjoy natural process coffees. I prefer washed coffees because the flavours are bright, clean, and easy to read. You can taste the origin clearly without any heavy or funky notes, and that simple clarity is what I enjoy the most.

What’s a fun fact most people don’t know about you?
Even though I make coffee all day, I still get excited when someone makes me a good one.

Give Clare a visit at @soaecoffee