Back to Square One
This week we catch up with Square One owner and head roaster Elika Rowell and learn about her greatest achievements, inspiration, favourite people and the best way to enjoy a filter.
MICE: Who would you like to have a coffee with and why?
Elika Rowell: I would have to say Tim Schilling – his work in Rwanda post the genocide fascinates me and I have a million questions that I would love to ask him! Also being the CEO of World Coffee Research means there would be some pretty interesting things to learn from him.
MICE: What inspires you?
ER: I would definitely say people. After working in hospitality for more than 15 years it’s ingrained in me to make sure people are happy – that’s what it’s all about. Whether it is the consumer, the farmer, our suppliers or staff, they all need to be happy! And if they are so am I.
MICE: What’s your greatest achievement?
ER: I think being awarded the Melbourne Food and Wine’s Hospitality scholarship in 2016 was pretty cool! It enabled me to travel to three coffee related locations around the world to further my knowledge in the industry over three weeks and I also got to spend time with producers I buy from in Central and South America. I have to also mention opening up Square One as that is something I am very proud of.
MICE: What’s one thing about Square One that people may not know?
ER: The day-to-day operations of Square One are run by myself and my right-hand-man Tom. We have worked together for over four years now, starting when I hired Tom to work next to me on the bar at Top Paddock in Melbourne. Now here we are!
MICE: What’s your favourite food to pair a Square One coffee with?
ER: Give me a filter and some homemade sourdough with some good quality butter and I’m set.
Swing past Square One on stand #182 at MICE2018 to say hi to Elika and Tom. All you need are some tickets…!
