Meet the Tasting Panel: Julie Baron

Meet the Tasting Panel: Julie Baron

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On August 19, 2017, Rhythmix Cultural Works, Alameda’s destination for the arts, is celebrating women of wine and song with its upcoming #Rhythmix10 Gala celebration. It’s an action-packed afternoon of live local music, tasty bites, craft beer, fine wine, a silent auction, a wine raffle, and a tasting panel featuring rockstar women in the wine, spirits and beer industries. All proceeds go to support free cultural arts education programs for East Bay youth.

We wanted to take this unique opportunity to spotlight the 2017 Tasting Panel: Spice It Up!  (to be moderated by Deborah Parker Wong) in this short interview series.

Get Tickets for #Rhythmix10

Julie Baron is a beloved cornerstone of the Alameda community with her local cafe business. For more than a decade, the namesake owner of Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden, 53, has been serving up sustainable, farm fresh food and drink options for residents on the Island. Now, due to overwhelming demand, she’s even opened up a second location right in the heart of Oakland’s Temescal district.

“Opening Julie’s in Alameda was inspired by my desire to create a nurturing space and share with the community all of the things I know and love,” she says, with a smile.

Recently, we connected with her to find out what inspires her most about the Bay Area, what Alameda means to her, what advice she’d give young women who’re interested in the neighborhood cafe business, and more. Read on below:

Early on, when did you first discover your passion for food?

I was very close to my Italian grandparents growing up. They grew a prolific garden and cooked up a storm regularly for large groups of family and friends. I learned a lot of what I know about cooking from them. They live on through several recipes at Julie’s.

What inspired you to open your own business?

I’ve been self-employed since I was 25. I’ve always made a living by doing things that inspire me. Opening Julie’s in Alameda was inspired by my desire to create a nurturing space and share with the community all of the things I know and love.

What’s the focus / mission behind Julie’s?

Holistic nourishment, genuine hospitality, community involvement and sustainable living.

What does being in Alameda mean to you? How does it inspire you?

Alameda has been so good to me. The babies that came in with their moms and dads when we first opened are now coming in with their friends as young adults and only know Alameda with Julie’s being a part of it. We’ve created a place that’s special to a lot of people and in turn they give back to us in so many ways. That means so much to me.

What’s your favorite Julie’s dish / meal at the moment? Pairing options?

I’m currently addicted to the bone broth at our Oakland-Temescal location. You can feel the goodness flowing through your body the minute it hits your stomach. I usually have it for breakfast so my pairing of choice is Golden Yunnan Tea with a little milk and honey.

What are the key opportunities / challenges facing women in the food industry today?

People in the Bay Area love to go out to eat and socialize. There are lots of choices for amazing food but I believe Julie’s fills a niche for those looking for casual and nourishing daily eats. The challenges I’ve faced are not really specific to women but are indicative of most small businesses. Being a boss is the hardest part for me. It’s really hard right now to find committed, long-term employees, especially in this industry.

What advice would you give young women who want to join the food industry?

Put in your time. Find a place that’s willing to teach you from the ground up. Work with a sense of urgency with all of your attention. Show up on-time, be respectful, compassionate and humble, and know that what you’re getting into is hard work. It’s not a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday job. You have to really love it to make it in this industry.

What are you most excited about to explore / discover at the upcoming Rhythmix 10 event?

I’m excited to see the performances! The theater is such a beautiful and acoustically pleasing space. I also love to see all of the people who care about Rhythmix enjoying themselves and celebrating the gifts Rhythmix brings to our local community.

What does the future hold for you and Julie’s?

We just opened our second location on Telegraph Avenue in Oakland-Temescal so, for the near future, we’ll be focused on nurturing the new space. We’re diving deeper into the kitchen and have a lot of exciting plans for our menu.

Want to learn more about Julie’s? Visit Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden and be sure to join us on August 19 for the #Rhythmix10 Gala.

Get Tickets for #Rhythmix10

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