Exciting News: Melbourne Coffee has just turned FIVE years old!
Meet
Jonathan Jardin
Jonathan was my language conversation buddy! We met several years ago and would catch up regularly and take turns speaking French and English. This way we were assisting each other to improve our respective second language. Jonathan had come to Australia on a working holiday visa and had already completed his 188 days of "farm work" to get a second year.
We formed a solid friendship from these regular sessions. We went out together with each others' friends, went to French festivals including the Bastille Day celebrations at South Melbourne Market, where there we were surrounded by delicious food (read: with cheese), vin chaud or mulled wine, and joyous singing! La Marseillaise included, of course!
My friendship with Jonathan and his French friends meant that I was not only having fun and meeting new friends but I was able to somewhat still immerse myself in French culture whilst in my own country.
Jonathan held many different jobs in areas that he probably would not have had the opportunity (or even thought about) had he remained in France. His English also improved drastically as he was working with Australians and was motivated to explore the Australian culture.
In Melbourne, Jonathan took a barista training course (including coffee art) to be qualified to work as one.
Photo Credits: Jonathan Jardin
After some time living in Melbourne, Jonathan moved to Perth because he wanted to explore other parts of Australia. It is difficult when you travel so far - in this case to the other side of the world (!) - and to not want to see everything that is there to offer.
I went to Perth for a few days and we created some lovely memories where he was living in Cottesloe. We enjoyed being located so close to the beach and went to a seafood festival in Fremantle with other friends. I was even treated to a crepe party!
All of us being young and free ran into the dark waters of Cottesloe one night! But it was summer and we were definitely making the most of it.
In the end, there was regret about leaving Melbourne and the life there. Then he had to go home to France as had been planned.
"My inspiration was Melbourne's coffee scene. I reflected for a long time about the name but in the end, it was so easy"
"Melbourne Coffee" is simplistic but memorable. It also reflects Jonathan's particular love for the city.
Photo Credit: Libby Crozier
"Yam," the cat
In Australia, where I see Melboourne as being the coffee capital, we are so particular about how we like our coffee and what milk is used. The options of what type of coffee are endless.
Good coffee is definitely hard to find in France. In France, if you were to ask for a "coffee," you will receive an espresso automatically. In Melbourne, you will be asked, "...but what kind of coffee would you like?"
If my mum would ask for her usual 'long weak black, not too hot with extra hot milk on the side' in... Paris. Well, you can only imagine the kind of looks and confusion she would receive. Let alone someone asking for an "extra hot, double shot flat white with soy milk," I actually feel the likelihood of receiving dirty looks would be rather high.
Jonathan has also talked to me about how much he values other cafés in Nantes and maintaining friendly relationships with them. To me, he genuinely cares about these connections between people and sharing of experiences.
4 rue Jemmapes, 44000 Nantes
