Christmas Day Open Thread conversation-starter: Does anyone recall this Starbucks cake recipe?

Nat writes: "A number of years ago Starbucks had a recipe for a spiced Christmas cake available at their stores printed on a recipe card. The recipe required an amount of brewed Christmas blend coffee and other spices and was to be made in a bundt pan if I recall correctly. I have been unable to locate this recipe and was hoping you could help." Discuss this anything else Starbucks-related (including this SBUX vs. union story and the 401K story going public days after it was posted here.

Comments

[redcup]

anna Olson's chai decadence bundt cake for holiday 2005? i remember it being available in canada only. but again, if it's a chai cake, why would it need coffee, so it's probably not it.

[inopethflames]

are the winter drinks going to be gone then on january 3rd when the new drinks come? i wish they could keep them still!

[WIbarista]

inopethflames: Peppermint mocha/peppermint white mocha are available year round, but they'll be without the peppermint whipped cream. Eggnog goes away. Caramel apple spice is year round, and Pumpkin Spice lasts until almost March, if I'm remembering correctly. Oh, and Gingersnap will also be going away.

[cookiejill]

BigOven.com has a recipe for the cake.

http://www.bigoven.com/127426-Starbucks-Spiced-Holiday-Coffee-recipe.html

[cookiejill]

Ooops. Disregard my earlier post. That was just for the spiced coffee.

Mea Culpa. Haven't had my coffee yet.

[Aaron]

Starbucks Loses Round in Battle Over Union:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/24/nyregion/24starbucks.html?bl&ex=1230267600&en=8eb8850aa382ce95&ei=5087%0A

http://www.nlrb.gov/shared_files/ALJ%20Decisions/2008/JD-NY-46%2008.htm

[STARBUCKS GOSSIP webmaster]

Aaron -- the union story is linked in the summary. There's no reason for people to copy and paste the long URL.

[Mike]

I was wondering out of curiosity since my store was closed today if there was any type of communication from Howard? An e-mail? A voicemail? Anything wishing Happy Holidays to the partners? Or has he officially abandoned the partners and gone underground??

[Mike]

Wow, how ironic it is that I just read the union story linked above and it was stated that Starbucks has always prided itself on its direct communication with its partners. Hmmmm.....

Oh my gosh, if I read one more lame comment from another whiny partner, I swear...so now we're whining that Howard didn't send us a cute little message for Christmas? Please people, this is a business, let's act as such. Sure, it's great to have people you enjoy being around, but grow up. I'm not going to join a union because Howie didn't send me a Christmas card. Jeez.

[Mike]

I could care less if anyone at Starbucks wishes me a happy holiday. I had a wonderful day with my wife and daughter and at the end of each day their opinions are the only ones that matter to me. I simply am wondering if the fact we've heard nothing from our so-called leader could possibly mean there's something going on.
Second, no one on this thread as of yet has said anything about supporting a union. As far as I'm concerned personally I could care less about the drama surrounding the union fairy tale.
At least when I have an opinion I have the backbone to post my name. I'd be more than happy to provide my store information and then you can come visit me and I'll tell you just how gutless it is to call someone out in a post and then sink into the shadows without signing off on your post. Spineless...

[IC Lover]

As a barista who volunteered to work today (for the money and to be kind to other partners), I'm more concerned with the responses of our customers. Who were thrilled we were open and thanked us. All the thanks I need...though the tips and time-and-a-half pay are nice, too.
:-) I even got to surprise and delight a customer with a "preview" of the London Fog Latte by offering her milk/breve for her Earl Gray.

[SPORK]

As much as I would be uneasy having a union, I still can't shake the yearning to strike for a better salary... something impossible without one (or at least virtually impossible.) Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah everyone! Oh and don't forget Kwanzaa tomorrow!

[Me]

Maybe all this union talk is part of the reason they are cutting back everywhere.
Some partners seem to really love the idea of unionization. Unfortunately these few are very vocal.
This makes leadership feel they are doing everything wrong (well some things they do, but not everything). If you already think nobody appreciates anything nice you do, then you don't need to even try to be nice anymore and just be the bad a$$ some people make you believe you are already.

This way the union can try to bargain for things employees (the new term they will be using) used to have in the first place. Everyone will be happy in the end. Starbucks for not giving more than before, the union for getting a great deal and the employees for getting more than when they started, because no "partner" from back in the days when starbucks was known for its social responsibility towards their partners will be still there.
win win win - bring on the union!

(just to be clear, this is sarcasm)

[Kathy]

Wish my local SBX was open today. But since it wasn't I tried out the new French Press I got for Christmas with the Aged Sumatra. It was FANTASTIC!!!

[C to the B]

Mike -

I absolutely support the Starbucks Wokers Union and I feel strongly that they could make things better for all the employees.

Also, I agree that it's gutless to not sign your posts.

Long Live the Union!

[catherine]

I got a starbucks card for christmas, it came in the cutest little card holder! The card and holder are so cheery and cute, it's silly but I can't wait to go to starbucks and use it. I hope everyone working today had a great day--I worked christmas eve, the customers were in great moods, the staff was having fun, and it was honestly one of the best shifts I've ever worked.

[Lame, Lame, Lame]

lame, lame, lame. So the fact that you are "C to the B" gives you "guts"?

Please, if you want to make that argument, then anyone who signs to their posts should post a URL and email- otherwise it's pretty much the same as anonymous. Sure, it is helpful for a poster to develop a "personality" if they plan on posting regularly, but I really don't have the time or patience. Plus, it really reflects a bully mentality when you attempt to characterize anon posters as gutless- we're not in a focus group, looking at each other face to face for a reason. The internet is full of anonymous forums, and there is purpose that many users enjoy.

I have to work, and run a business. So I'm not worried about Howie leaving me a message. And I'm certainly not entertaining C to the B's thoughts of unionizing. And I DEFINITELY laugh out loud when I see either of them try to bully this site.

[P to the U to the S to the S]

I totally agree with the last post. "C to the B" calls everyone gutless for not signing then uses C to the B? What a truely gutless nitwit. For the record, I am very against unionizing as an 11 year partner. We've gotten by without so far, and I have recieved at least one nice pay increase per year due to my performance, not becasue someone is bargaining for me. I can stand up for myself thank you very much.

[anonymous]

To Lame, Lame and Lame AND to P to the U to the S to the S,

You're both Starbucks 'plants' paid as mouthpieces to bash the union.

And if you accuse others of hiding behind anonymous names, then why do you use ridiculous names as Lame and PUSS which is what you really are.

As for your nice pay increase, you're not getting any this year or the next so you can thank Howard Scrooge for that. If you get Scrooged, you call in the Union.

[maggiemunkee]

i don't think baristas need a union. at least not right now. if the switch to the new scheduling program starts to screw over people (ie, you must be available for 80% of the store's operating hours and you are, but consistently get few/no hours), then, yes, i'd be more open to it. but as it stands, starbucks doesn't have it that bad.

i've worked in plenty of other retail situations where i would have LOVED a union. but as a 2-and-change year partner, i honestly it seems to me that cries to unionize are threats to management. and honestly, i don't think it's going to work. not as the company stands right now.

so are you guys planning on doing your retail sets next week with no non coverage? I was told that we have to schedule our retail specialists to on Jan 2nd as floor coverage and then when they have a chance, they are supposed to gradually put up the retail. We are supposed to do it over a period of a few days apparently

[C to the B]

Dear Lame and Puss -

Thank you for signing your posts. Your names suit you well.

I'm not trying to 'bully' anyone nor am I asking for full disclosure. I just think it makes it easier to respond to someone's post if they type some sort of ID in the 'Name' box.

[Tracy]

Name and email included so I can participate.
--

Why is everyone so anti-union? Unions do good things for their members - and even for their non-members.

And unions are not mandatory.

--

The union that I am in is currently fighting for something that everyone else in my position already has (Fee Waivers for CSU-system graduate teaching associates). We wouldn't be able to do anything without the union. We'd just complain that we're basically teaching for free (tuition is the same price as our stipends) and watch the Chancellor give himself a 20% raise and new car.

Unions get things done.

[snagger]

Need a union? Seeing groups of women embracing and sobbing outside the SSC was really something.Like throwing survivors out of a life raft to better your own chances-well, the survivors work longer and harder with the fear that they will be thrown overboard next.What a great work environment.Security,I don't think so.SBUX employees need some form of bargaining position to counter a corporate hierarchy that in honesty treats them no better than the trash.At least there's a schedule to dump the trash!I can't imagine what things are like at the stores,just close them fire the partners.Get new ones later if needed.A union would provide some level of security,forewarning of specific layoffs,maybe references for good workers going foward who were simply caught by a poor economy.Now there's nothing but sobs and hugs, unless hugs are contagious and survivors don't want to be seen with the shunned.

C to the B

If all you are looking for is a user ID to identify, then why the "hiding" comment? You are obviously hiding too.

[Stephen]

I totally support the union. I was a Barista and shift supervisor at Starbucks for 4 yrs and was fired after my fourth year when I transferred stores. The reasons for my termination were mostly personal. Two years later I manage a trading desk for a financial firm, but I still wish I had a union representing me during my Starbucks days.

[Mike]

Regarding floor sets -- it is indeed true we are not to use non-coverage for floor sets. It is to be done over several days. I believe we officially launch Winter next Saturday and that we will get the materials early next week, so yes, it is expected of us to set up when we have time over the course of a few days before the launch.

[will]

Unions have done so many great things for this country, both in times of prosperity and in times of hardship.

As for pay increases -- when every store transitions over to "lead shifts" instead of ASMs, will there be a pay increase?

[Melody]

Since this is an open thread: Is there any news at all about what coffee choices will be available after January 3rd?? Right now my choices are PPR or Christmas Blend until 5 pm ...
********************************

How quickly the posts at this site become antagonistic and vitriolic. It almost seems a little worse lately.

As to names on posts: Any person here posting with one name, and posting repeatedly creates a personality associated with that name. It doesn't matter if that name is "CutOutTheHeart" or "C to the B" and NOT some name that is gender-identifiable and sounds like a real name. The point of the name is that you start to see the personality in it over and over again, and if you are TOTALLY anonymous, that doesn't really happen - could be more than one person posting or who knows???. I have no idea who "CutOutTheHeart" is (this is just as an example) but I know that when I read his/her posts they'll generally be negative about Starbucks, but there's a consistent personality there ... Sometimes I agree with him/her and sometime's I don't. That's life.

[Aaron]

Sorry webmaster, I honestly missed that you had posted a link to the NYT story. I also posted a link to the decision however. My apologies.

As far as the union, I obviously support it and am a member. There are a few things I'd like people to know:

The IWW, the national union we're affiliated with, does not use contract negotiations as its main tool. It uses mostly direct action. This is more democratic because for actions to be successful, they need support from the members. We won't be "bargaining" away any rights.

Dues are pretty low. $6 a month for most baristas, $12 for those who work a lot of hours. There is only one paid union employee. The rest all goes to organizing.

WE, the members, ARE THE UNION. Unlike many other unions, it is us, the rank and file workers, who make all the decisions. Also, membership is and always will be voluntary. Even if the union does win collective bargaining rights at a store or stores, not everyone must join, much less pay dues.

Hey, that person that runs the union - do they just run the union or do they do something else, because there can't be a huge number of people in the union, and at $6-$12 a month, per partner, that's kind of an average or above average salary... doesn't leave a lot for "organizing"...

Sounds to me like that one paid employee found a better job that requires much less work.

[snagger]

SBUX needs a real union not an anarchist group that breaks windows and protests for organic milk!

[Aaron]

Poster at 10:47, the one paid employee does not run the union, they merely do paperwork.

All union officers are unpaid currently, and there aren't many decisions they can make that affect everyone else. They just run day to day stuff. They can't make broad policy decisions or anything like that.

Snagger, I have no particular stance against some of the larger unions coming to organize Starbucks. There are some that I think do a pretty good job. So "wobs" (IWW members) would disagree. Anyhow, the main reason though that there is not organizing drive with a big AFL-CIO or Change to Win (the two big union confederations) is that most of them don't want to devote the resources to it. Organizing Starbucks workers is not an easy job. It's not that most of us don't want better conditions, it's that most don't want to do anything about it because "i'm getting a better job soon anyway" or "i'm just doing this while I'm in school". For the big unions, it would be too expensive to organize Starbucks, because they do pay outisde organizers, and they do depend on high union fees automatically deducted from everyone's check.

My other point is that many people would disagree with you. I would estimate that the biggest reason people are against unions at Starbucks is because of high dues, and outside group coming and screwing things up, a lack of tangible benefit, and real or perceived corruption. The IWW has none of these problems. Dues are low, the members form the backbone of the union and make all important decisions, which means you get what you put in, and there is no history of corruption. Because there aren't many paid positions and we rely on voluntary membership and dues, and because decision making is all democratic, there is little incentive for corruption.

[MissingMyMelonSyrup]

Any news about the Signature hot chocolate?? Is it staying or going?

[Iced in]

Hey, did anybody else in the Chicago area have a hard time getting to work this morning? I couldn't get out of my driveway and I was supposed to open. It was awful. Of course the manager was only concerned with the store and not with the employees almost getting killed on the way to work. Of course he didn't get his butt out of bed because it was his day off. Then he called the shift and reamed her out for lack of communication. We finally got the store open around 8:00 and we didn't even get busy until 9:00.

[snagger]

Aaron, I have no idea what dues would be with SEIU or AFL-CIO but I know several grocery store workers who are very happy and well protected by their unions.What I can't understand is the distain that most SBUX partners I knew had for Walmart over the union issue while opposing a union themselves. Walmart doesn't leave it workers sobbing in the parking lot with 10 mins notice.

[JerseyGurl]

Melody~
"Since this is an open thread: Is there any news at all about what coffee choices will be available after January 3rd?? Right now my choices are PPR or Christmas Blend until 5 pm ..."

My store ran out of Christmas blend, we don't even have 1 pound bags we could open and brew... we are currently brewing Sidamo this week and Sumatra next week. After that, I don't know

[green_cup]

Unions are generally a dinosaur approach to labor management.

Think of something new and innovative.

SM's we need to strike. This labor thing is getting ridiculous here. I just got told to swich my non-cov hrs to cov to make my non-cov in alignment. Didn't they fire SM's yrs ago for this...called fudging numbers. Also is non-cov going to 2% across the board for everyone? Oh and by the way, we better make sure our customer voice is in alignment, and our ecosure isn't below a 98% or we'll get written up. Is anyone else getting tired of this? I don't even want my laptop anymore, that will be the ultimate end to work/life balance. Who has time to even do any admin in their cafe to see whats going on anymore? Once those schedules are able to be done online, the only time we have to do this type of thing will be when we are at home. Any thoughts...all of you wearing rose colored glasses bash away!!

[SBUX SM]

P.S. Last post by SBUX SM....Sorry Mike

[FLA SM]

SBUX SM: yes, 2% n/c is the story across the board and it won't end any time soon. The official position is that it will continue for ALL of FY '09. Of course, as we all know, after that the suits will say "Hmm, looks like the stores managed to operate with only 2% n/c. I guess we can keep it that way."

In theory, the scheduling won't be as difficult with the "optimal scheduling" system. You should be able to roll over the previous weeks' schedule most of the time and edit it less. In theory. That's assuming no one ever asks for a day off or takes any vacation. And it assumes that your business remains steady from week to week. I thought it was pretty stupid to roll out that program right before the holidays, when schedules are disrupted more than any other time of year. I think it may work
somewhat for some stores, but I don't think it's genius-level innovation. Seriously, wouldn't we already be rolling over schedules from week to week if it was that convenient?

As far as customer voice goes, I hope the numbers do take a nose-dive company-wide. If CV is so important to the suits, maybe they will realize the error of their ways if all the CV scores drop across the board. I used to carefully screen who received my survey invitations, but now, I let the chips fall where they may. Hopefully, if enough customers are bitching about slow service and dirtier stores, then maybe we'll get some labor back. Besides, there's no way I can control the survey results.

On the other hand, I CAN control the cleanliness of my store. Let's face it, the vast majority of low-scoring ecosure audits come from towels on the counters and stuff not having day-dots. Granted, I no longer have any n/c hours for a weekly "clean sweep" but I generally find 10 min. here and 10 min. there for some tasks, and I've added one or two of the weekly cleaning tasks to a different closing shift each night and it's not hurting us too bad. So far.

Laptops: do you really think they will spend that much money on laptops? On top of the initial cost, they will also have to pay for the accompanying infrastructure (more help desk calls, repairs, etc.). I'll believe it when I see it.

Overall, it appears that the company has set its priorities as such:
1. coming in at 0% VTI on labor (which is really 3% under.)
2. not exceeding 2% n/c.
3. Eco-Sure scores at 100%. (That's the "expectation.")
4. customer voice scores.
Last, customer service, smooth running stores & satisfied partners.

So, as you can see, I certainly don't have rose-colored glasses. Some would (and already have) said my glasses are painted black due to my "negative attitude." I prefer to think of my glasses as perfectly clear. I see reality and call it like I see it.

[Aaron]

green_cup, Do you have any suggestions? Obviously, I would think so, but I think the IWW approach to solidarity unionism is different, and will be getting more done in time to come. I think that at times, the trade unions most are used to, both AFL-CIO with their service union model, and Change to Win with the organizing model, can be outdated. It depends a lot on circumstances, and like I said above, I wouldn't write them off completely. However, I think the best way to go is rank-and-file. The members making all the decisions that will affect them. The IWW works this way. Also, the UE, which was the union that did the factory sit in in Chicago works on a more rank-and-file model, but with more of a collective bargaining focus. And while I think trade unions can be effective under the right circumstances, I think it's no coincidence that the biggest labor action in years was undertaken by an independent, rank-and-file union.

Another interesting solution is what a group called the Coalition of Immokalee Farmers is doing. It's not quite a union, because they have open membership, I believe, and supporters do a lot of their actions. That leaves them legally able to do a lot of things like unions can't. I won't bore people with specifics, but look into them.

Aaron, thank you for posting the labor decision, which was very interesting.

Sbux claims these guys were fired for bad work performance, lousy behavior, using profanity and stuff like that. In my store, we have plenty of bad work performance, bad behavior and swearing. Nobody gets fired for it.

Those things are enforced only when the management wants to fire you. They really want to fire you for other reasons. The union is against "selective enforcement" of rules.

unions are great look what they did for the auto indusrty!!!

[L]

Re: Melody

"Since this is an open thread: Is there any news at all about what coffee choices will be available after January 3rd?? Right now my choices are PPR or Christmas Blend until 5 pm ..."

In order to get through all the Christmas blend we've been sent, until Jan. 18th, we're supposed to switch over to Christmas as our primary coffee until we're out at the stores, with PPR brewed on demand, not even as an alternative until noon.

After Jan. 18th, or whenever the store runs out of Christmas, we're going to be rotating our core 6 coffees in as a Morning Pick, with PPR being our primary coffee again. Also, I think we're going to be featuring Casi Cielo as the Morning Pick for at least one week, but I'm not 100% on that.

As for a whole bean option for at home brewing, my favorite coffee is Guatemala Casi Cielo, I take it as my markout for as long as it's available. We're also going to have Costa Rica Bella Vista Tres Rios, or something like that, I forget the order in which the words go. It's an okay coffee, a little mild for my tastes.

Posted by: | December 26, 2008 at 09:03 PM

You can't blame unions for what happened to the Auto Industry. They lost to Japanese cars that cost a good 1-5k more for the same class. It was mismanagement and poor quality control.

[Melody]

Thank you JersyGurl & L! When you start rotating the 6 core coffees will they be available until 5?

I know this is a dumb question, since I can name all the coffees in the store (I think) but which 6 are "core" - not sure I can separate out the "core" coffees. ? (1) Verona (2) Gold Coast (3) Komodo Dragon (4) Kenya (5) Sidamo and (6) Estima. ???

I wish every barista read Starbucks Gossip. There's just SO much information here. I ordered a PTL today with Melon instead of Classic, and made small talk with the barista making it that "I had heard that Melon was going away" and he looked at me oddly and said he hadn't heard that at all. I didn't say anything back because he was busy and I figure he'll know it soon ...

I still miss Sinani. :(

[L]

The 6 rotating Morning Picks are Sumatra, Verona, Sidamo, Gold Coast, Estima, and Komodo Dragon, I think. Than's one I'd have to double check if it's Komodo or Kenya.

And only "High Brewed Coffee" stores keep brewing Morning Pick until 5pm. The rest of us go back to brew 'til noon. The reason being that there is an ordering ceiling on how much coffee we can order based on our need. So stores that are "High Brewed Coffee" can order more of the morning pick, while the majority of stores get cut off at what amounts to around a 5 lb bag per day.

So, unfortunately, if you aren't near a store that sells A LOT of just brewed coffee, chances are you're going to have to request a french press after 12pm if Pike is abhorrent to you. And I personally don't know what volume of brewed coffee sales constitutes "High." That hasn't become company wide knowledge as yet.

And yeah, it is a little disheartening how uninformed some baristas are, but I can't really blame anyone. I don't have time to think right now, let alone double check that the barista that works 12 hours a week knows the difference Casi Cielo and Bella Vista. I wish I did. I wish I could sit down with every one of my partners and check for understanding and have them describe the difference between a tea infusion and a tea latte to me. It just isn't happening. I don't have a solution. I'm just trying to keep my store profitable and my customers happy.

I need the holidays to be over.

[Christin]

I thought the non cov expectation was 3%?