What better way to get in the holiday spirit than with a warm cup of coffee or tea and some fresh-baked sweets? Our amazing Coffee & Juice Bar and Bakery both bring joy all year long, and the holidays are no exception! Tina Moore and Kara Chan are the fearless leaders behind our talented bakers and baristas, so we asked them a few questions to see how they’re pulling out all the stops to make the holidays extraordinary.

Tina Moore, Chief Confectionery Conductor (a.k.a. Director of Bakery Operations): 
Part of the Nugget Markets family since 2005, Tina has always had the dream of being our Director of Bakery Operations, and in 2019 her dream came true! She now oversees our store bakeries, including selection, merchandising, recipes, training and leading our awesome bakers. Her leadership and vision are why our bakers create artisan breads and rolls, handcrafted pastries, elaborate cakes, delicious cookies and more—all homemade with love!

Kara Chan, Chief Caffeination Officer (a.k.a. Director of Coffee & Juice Bar Operations): If you’ve ever stopped by our Coffee & Juice Bar, chances are you’ve tried one of our amazing coffees, juices, smoothies or vitality bowls. Kara is not only responsible for the selection and recipe development, but also leading our team of baristas. Part of the Nugget Markets family for a decade and counting, she continues to learn and expand her knowledge of coffee so she can share it with our baristas and guests alike. Cheers!

TM: What makes Nugget Markets' baked goods the best?
Our team who makes it all happen! From bread mixers and bakers to cake decorators and service associates, our team is the most talented and passionate in the industry. The majority of our items are made from scratch, and you can see the love that goes into everything they create.

TM: Do you have any personal favorites?
Our brownies are absolutely out of this world! We use premium Callebaut chocolate chips and a recipe that creates the perfect fudgy yet cakey texture. We also offer many amazing scratch-made breads, including our classic Baguette, Pugliese and Ciabatta. Our rustic breads are out of the oven and ready by 7 a.m. daily, our Italian by 9 a.m., and our sourdough by 11 a.m.—get ‘em while they’re hot!

TM: What are you most excited about this holiday season?
Along with our usual sweets and treats, I’m excited for our array of festively decorated cakes that are the perfect centerpiece for a holiday celebration. Not only are they gorgeous, they taste great, too! We are also proud to offer our scratch-made pastries and breads to complement your meal. You can order ahead online, or visit our stores to pick them out in person! 

KC: What are the most popular drinks we serve?
Coffee-wise, our most popular drink is our freshly brewed drip coffee, available in four delicious roasts. Guests also love our Purifier juice (made of fresh juiced kale, ginger, lemon, cucumber and pineapple), and Triple G smoothie (made with kale, spinach, peach, banana, apple and pineapple). We also have a seasonal menu that offers limited-time beverages guests look forward to every year!

KC: What’s your personal favorite coffee drink we carry?
I’m a sucker for classics, so for me an Americano is my go-to every morning. I get to taste the espresso and its rich and complex flavors, all whilst getting my caffeine fix. That said, we’ve got an amazing selection of drinks, vitality bowls and superfoods, so you are sure to find something to your liking. When in doubt, our baristas are experts in answering questions or sharing suggestions.

KC: What sets our Coffee & Juice Bars apart?
Our secret is the baristas behind the bar. So many components go into making the perfect drink and our baristas are trained to do it all. From pulling the perfect shot of espresso to juicing fruits and veggies fresh to order, our amazing team always strives to create the very best beverages and guest experience for every visit. Drop by and see for yourself!