Katie Carguilo, Customer Relations Representative

Katie Carguilo grew up in the woods of New Hampshire. At 18, she moved to our nation’s capital to attend George Washington University. Not one to stay in any one place for too long, she soon took a sabbatical from school and moved to Mexico for six months to learn Spanish and volunteer at a community center. After a short stint back in New Hampshire, Katie decided to get back to DC to finish her degree in Human Services and Anthropology once and for all. Before leaving DC for Mexico, Katie worked in a little coffee shop called murky coffee in Georgetown. Upon returning to DC, she continued to work for murky in Arlington, VA; placed second in the 2004 Southeast Regional Barista Competition; and enjoyed drinking delicious Counter Culture Coffee. Katie left her general manager job at murky in the fall of 2007 to relocate to New York City to work for Counter Culture Coffee. Katie is currently the Mid-Atlantic Barista Champion and hopes to give away her crown in a tearful ceremony at the Washington, DC, Coffee Fest in February. Her dearest ambition in the world is to have a room just for her guinea pigs, Buffy and Vicky, to frolic and play in.

Q: What coffee are you currently drinking?

I am currently drinking lots and lots of espresso: Espresso Toscano, Alphabet City, Five Country, and Twin Cities Express.

Q: Choose your favorite coffee and brewing method.

Right now, I would have to say my favorite coffee is the Rwanda Golden Cup Winning Karaba Microlot. I’ve had exactly two cups of this coffee, prepared in a French Press, and it was truly one of the most memorable coffee experiences of my life. The coffee is amazing, marzipan and strawberry folded into a lush pasty-like body. I can’t wait to get my hands on more and prepare it in a vac pot in my apartment.

Q: Who at Counter Culture Coffee would you most like to arm-wrestle, and why?

Sadly, I think anyone at Counter Culture Coffee could beat me in an arm wrestling match, as I have no upper body strength. I feel fairly confident, however, that I could beat anyone in a leg wrestling contest, except maybe Kieran, because he’s a bike riding machine.

Q: What is your favorite book?

My favorite books include The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen, The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera, Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem, The entire Harry Potter Series, and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems.

Q: What keeps you busy outside of work?

Honestly, I love to sleep. I have a hard time falling asleep (most likely do to the insane amount of caffeine I consume in a given day) but once I am asleep I like to stay that way. Other than that, I enjoy listening to music, making stuff and doing things, as well as exploring new-to-me neighborhoods in this fantastic city.

Q: Share an interesting fact you've learned about coffee while working at Counter Culture Coffee and name the person from whom you learned it.

Peter Giuliano told me that the Brazil Fatima (which is used as a major component in some of Counter Culture Coffee’s espresso blends) is actually naturally processed. I always assumed it was washed. The idea that you can build a blend off a naturally processed coffee (which generally is very intense and fruity in flavor) is amazing!

Q: When you were 8 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Meryl Streep

Q: If you could beam yourself anywhere in the world for your lunch break, where would you go, and what would you eat?

I would put my sister in my carry on and go to India to eat a variety of vegetarian delights such as matter paneer with naan and samosas.

Q: Which Counter Culture Coffee customer is most likely to see you outside of work (i.e. where do you like to hang out)?

Everyman Espresso because it’s 20 minutes door to door from my apartment on the L train and Ninth Street Espresso in the Chelsea market because everyone knows the market is the one of the best places in the city to shop for bread, wine, produce … coffee, of course.

Q: You moved to New York City to work as a Counter Culture Coffee Customer Representative there … what’s the most pleasantly unexpected aspect of your new home town?

That cabs actually will stop and not run you over if you walk out in front of them. But only if you give them the stink-eye.

Q: You’re widely known to be quite the fashion maven. How would you describe your remarkable style and where do you find inspiration for your fresh look?

Wow, that’s a nice compliment. I don’t know if I’m as much a fashion maven as a unique dresser. And that has to do with the fact that over half the clothes in my closet are second hand and therefore usually unique. I find inspiration from different textiles and textures and try always to create complete looks. Oh, and living in fashionable New York City doesn’t hurt for inspiration either. Often, I’ll look like I’m almost wearing a costume of a particular style or trend (past or present) and I think the completeness of that is fun.