Erika Ventura ‘20

Assistant Manager, Barista & Server

Favorite menu item: Turkey Mountain BLT

Favorite beverage: Un Besito

Erika moved to Cabarete at 6 years old from the neighboring town, Sosua, and has lived here ever since. One of eight siblings, Erika joined Mariposa Foundation programs at age 11 and eventually went on to graduate from Mariposa programs and Centro de Enseñanza Coral (the local high school) in 2020 made possible through a scholarship by the Mariposa Foundation. A stand out student and motivated individual, Erika began training at Cabarete Coffee Company in December of 2018 while she was still in high school. Erika has been with the Cabarete Coffee Company team ever since.

Erika learned how to cook traditional Dominican food from her mother, but has learned even more about other cuisines and the service industry here. She is very grateful for all that she has learned at Cabarete Coffee, including English through speaking with clients, and hopes to continue learning as much as she can. Erika is a trained barista and loves working with the espresso machine, as well as working the register, making sandwiches, and cooking eggs – she acknowledges that it is important to be flexible and be able to master all of the different stations.   A new mother to one son, he means the world to her. Erika aspires to study medicine and become a nurse one day and hopes to be an inspiration to her son.