Launching ‘Mow’s Coffee’ in Sheffield is a dream come true for Sam

I watch as Sam Gilmer drizzles cream into the cup on the counter with a well-practiced flick of the wrist and - just like that - there’s an elegant swan swimming in my coffee.

It’s almost too pretty to drink.

"I believe there's still a gap in knowledge and understanding regarding the speciality side of coffee," explains Sam, who is tucked behind the counter of the coffee shop he took over just last month.

“I think the majority of people still just want a coffee, and see it as a commodity, rather than a craft in the same way as wine or whiskey.

"Having said that, locally the speciality scene is growing really quickly - we have some great well-known speciality coffee spots in Sheffield, but also lots of new smaller shops popping up too.

"We are the latest addition to this great group of independent coffee houses.”

It’s clear the largely self-taught barista is serious about coffee.

He indicates the blends on the shelves behind him: "I’m currently trying to choose between two espressos, one from Ethiopia and one from Panama, but I may end up keeping both,” he muses.

"We also have a Yemeni hand brew filter coffee, and a Costa Rican batch-brewed filter coffee, as well as some fantastic local blends

"I like to study up on every coffee we have in, so I know them inside-out, and can chat to my customers about them."

It’s this passion for all things percolated that caught the eye of Sally and Tim Hubbard at The Mowbray, when they were looking for someone to come onboard as coffee partner, and run the coffee shop nestled into the front of Laundry hair salon.

"I worked as head barista at Forge Bakehouse for a year, and senior barista at Tampa,” says Sam, aged 24.

"I got to the point where, in the last few years, I felt I was ready to set up myself, but I didn’t have the finances to do it.

"Then I heard The Mowbray was looking to invest in someone - a coffee partner who could run their own shop under The Mowbray umbrella.

"I met with Tim and Sally and spoke about my coffee ethos and style, and something I said must have struck a chord.”

Sam came on board as coffee partner, launching ‘Mow’s Coffee’ with his own vision and attention to detail, on September 21.

And true to current restrictions, the coffee shop features socially-distanced tables, hand sanitiser stations, and a test and trace QR code at the counter.

“It’s growing really well, even in the midst of this global chaos,” says Sam.

"The Mowbray supplies us with tray bakes, brownies, bakewells, and flapjacks, and we get pastries from 4eyespatisserie, at Harland Works.

"As well as our fantastic international coffee suppliers, we’re also working with local suppliers, including Dark Woods and Cuppers Choice.

"I’m so grateful to Sally and Tim for giving me the opportunity and the financial backing to do what I’ve always wanted to do, and in association with such an established Sheffield brand.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Visit Coffee at Mow’s for details