Meet Kim: The Artist Behind the Roast
Where creativity, community, and coffee come together
When you order a cup of Corner Coffee, you’re not just getting caffeine—you’re drinking the work of an artist. For nearly a decade, Kim has been our head roaster, shaping every bag of beans that comes through our doors. Her role is equal parts precision, creativity, and curiosity. And at the heart of it all is her desire to help people discover coffee in ways they never expected.
From MCAD to the Roastery
Kim studied at the Minnesota College of Art and Design, and today she manages her own studio in St. Paul. Her art focuses on painting and drawing, often with an abstract edge.
“I always tell people I do painting and drawing, but I’ve been working across different mediums lately,” Kim explained. “It’s all abstract—it’s about trying new things.”
That willingness to experiment shows up in her roasting, too. Whether on canvas or in the roaster, she’s not afraid to explore and push boundaries.
Roasting as a Sensory Art
Roasting, for Kim, is as much art as it is science.
“It’s a very sensory experience,” she said. “The sound changes depending on the density of the bean. The smell shifts as the roast develops. You’re watching the color. You’re listening for the cracks. Everything is happening at once, and you have to be fully tuned in.”
Our roasting machine is mostly manual, which makes each decision matter even more. Mistakes happen, happy accidents happen—but for Kim, that’s the beauty of it.
Coffee That Doesn’t Taste Like Coffee
One moment that shaped Kim’s approach to roasting came when she first encountered a truly light roast.
“I remember tasting one and thinking, this doesn’t taste like coffee. It was fruity, almost floral. It made me stop and wonder what else coffee could be,” she recalled.
That philosophy—coffee that doesn’t taste like coffee—still guides her today. It’s not about disguising coffee; it’s about unlocking what’s already inside. A peachy coffee from Colombia that “tasted insane,” a Congolese coffee that surprised her with its balance—these are the kinds of experiences she wants to share with people.
The Challenge of Getting It Right
Some coffees, of course, don’t reveal their best selves easily.
“There was one I roasted five or six different ways,” Kim said. “At first I thought, ‘maybe this is good enough.’ But I kept pushing, and finally it came together. When it clicked, it was so rewarding.”
She especially enjoys coffees that lean darker in tone, because the challenge is even greater. “When you can make those taste balanced—not bitter, just sweet and smooth—that’s when it feels really good.”
Quiet Starts, Creative Flow
Before she begins roasting, Kim likes silence.
“I like it to be quiet when I’m starting, so I can hear the machine and make sure everything is working right,” she said. “Once I’m in the flow, then I’ll put on a podcast. But at the beginning, it’s about paying attention.”
It’s a rhythm that reflects her approach: listen first, create second.
Because People
At Corner Coffee, we often say “because people.” Coffee is never just about the drink—it’s about connection.
Kim feels that deeply. “It’s nice for people to see me and interact with me while I’m roasting,” she said. “Sometimes people stop by just to watch or ask questions. I’ve also learned things from them—especially home roasters. It’s fun to see how coffee expands into people’s lives.”
Even though roasting happens behind the scenes, it’s never disconnected. Every roast is part of a bigger story—a story of people.
What She Hopes You Feel
So what does Kim want you to experience when you drink her coffee?
“I hope you like it!” she laughed. But then she added: “I love when someone comes in asking for the darkest roast, but they try something different and say, oh, I actually like this. Sometimes what you’re looking for isn’t what you think it is. That’s the surprise I love.”
Raising a Cup to Kim
The next time you take a sip of Corner Coffee, remember: your cup was roasted by an artist. An artist who listens, smells, and watches carefully for those moments where coffee becomes more than expected.
And like her paintings, Kim’s roasts are meant to be shared. To spark conversation. To remind you that sometimes the best coffee doesn’t even taste like “coffee.”
Because at Corner Coffee, it’s always because people.