Barista of the Month:
David Cunliffe


Barista of the Month: March 2020

Name: David Cunliffe
Cafe / Coffee Shop: Stow Town Coffee
Location: 17 The Park, Stow-on-the-Wold, UK
Facebook / Instagram: @stowtowncoffee


An artisan micro-roastery nestled in a beautiful setting, Stow Town Coffee is possibly the smallest coffee roastery in the UK. We think great things come in small packages and their coffee won’t disappoint. Whether you want a quiet espresso in the ‘secret’ coffee bar or wish to have your own bespoke blend, David is the bean expert. Welcome to our Chef Works Barista of the Month, David Cunliffe…


1. Your coffee shop/café:
Stow Town Coffee in the market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, UK.

2. Describe your location/interior:
We think we run the smallest commercial coffee roastery in the UK. Our floor plan is just 10 square metres in total.

3. Favourite Chef Works item and why:
My Galveston apron as it’s practical, easy to clean and has a this great distressed worn look.

4. First job:
As an Apprentice Engineer.

5. Your favourite coffee beans/machine:
My Toper coffee roasting machine (named Gerrard).


Gerrard the roaster hard at work.


6. Your awards/achievements:
Getting great feedback from people who know and love their coffee.

7. Why did you become a Barista?
Because of a love of coffee, but I also love the whole coffee vibe/scene and how friendly it is.


A bespoke espresso blend for another happy coffee drinker.


8. Your speciality coffee:
Our Flat White is strong and amazing, but our speciality is a Cafe Bombon – a coffee drink that includes espresso mixed with sweetened condensed milk in a one-to-one proportion.

9. Favourite dish to eat with a coffee:
Millionaires shortbread.

10. Weirdest thing you ever tasted:
Crocodile sausage.

11. Favourite ice cream flavour (other than coffee!):
Salted Caramel.

12. Favourite coffee topping:
More coffee!


David sampling the beans during the final stages of the roast.


13. Favourite wine:
A Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

14. Who would you most like to make coffee for:
I would say Billy Connolly.

15. Who would you least like to make coffee for:
Donald Trump.

16. Favourite things to do when not making coffee:
Walking my dog, Douglas, he makes the occasional appearance on Instagram.

17. Your latest project:
Refurbishing my garden (still at the planning stage, and has been since 2012).

18. Favourite city and why:
Copenhagen. Expensive, but friendly, historic, great food, great beer, great coffee.

19. Your greatest indulgence:
Visiting Copenhagen!

20. Your all time best barista moment outside of the UK:
An amazing visit to a coffee plantation in Costa Rica.


Come and have a coffee next time you are local!


At Chef Works we are proud to see our aprons and uniforms worn by passionate people who love what they do. #ChefWorksWearers

If you or someone you know would like to be featured as our Barista of Month please email: emma@chefworksworld.com


Photography: Louise Bowles.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *