Omotesando "CBC" interview "The moment when sympathy with customers was born" is our joy.
Please introduce yourself.
Mr. Kawakami: My name is Tomotoshi Kawakami.
His hobby is bowling and he is a father of two children.
Please give us an overview of CBC stores.
This restaurant is run by Carnevale Co., Ltd. (KINTAN) and serves delicious steaks and carefully selected coffee. The name CBC comes from the fact that C stands for coffee and B for beef steak. The C is also the initial letter of the company that runs the restaurant, Carnevale.
Why did you choose this job?
Mr. Kawakami: My parents originally ran a noodle factory, so I grew up in an environment that was related to food from an early age. I love eating and I also love cooking, so I've been involved with food ever since I was old enough to understand, so it was only natural that I chose this job.
Please tell us about the unique features of CBC.
Kawakami: There are two things that are unique to CBC. The first is coffee. We have a cafe called Woodberry in Ogikubo, and we use the coffee beans roasted there. However, because coffee beans are subject to daily changes in weather, temperature, room temperature, etc., our baristas adjust the beans in store every day to suit the condition of the beans that day, so that we can provide delicious coffee.
The second is beef steak. The operating company, Carnevale, is a company that specializes in handling high-quality meat, and in addition to the cafe, it also operates a yakiniku restaurant called KINTAN and a shabu-shabu restaurant. They are committed to providing customers with the same quality as they do at KINTAN.
In particular, KINTAN's selling point is aged tongue, which is aged for 30 days and is served as steak at CBC. We also offer seasonal meat, and the most delicious at the moment is Wagyu beef misuji meat, which is made from bone-in tendons. By having misuji meat on the bone, the flavor of the bone is transferred to the meat, allowing customers to enjoy delicious meat.
When do you feel glad to be doing this job?
Kawakami: The best thing is when customers empathize with the things we are particular about and provide. Of course, it makes me happy when I hear direct words like "It was delicious." Also, this is a personal thing, but I bake the bread we bake myself, and I serve what I think is the most delicious bread I've ever made, so when someone casually says "Oh, this bread is delicious," it makes me really happy. So, it's when our customers are pleased with what we do and we empathize with them. When I get to witness that moment, I feel that this job is worthwhile.
Is there anything that didn't go well?
Mr. Kawakami: Haha (laughs) It's not going well every day. I think there haven't been many successful attempts. After all, it's a restaurant, so employees change, customers change, and every day is a trial and error, so there aren't many times when I think it's gone well.
Even in that situation, we are working hard to get closer to the image and goal we have in mind. On the other hand, I think it's better if things don't go well. That's because if you think you've done something perfectly or are satisfied, your growth will stop. So we're always thinking of it as a study.
What do you want to do in the future?
Kawakami: What about in the future? (laughs) I'm 41 now, and of course I think it's great fun to continue interacting with customers on-site, but I'm also honestly thinking about taking the next step and using the experience I've gained so far. To be more specific, I'd like to be able to offer e-commerce, or the experience I've gained on-site to other things by creating online or live media. I have a vague image of that.
Finally, we understand that you wear TARROW products on a regular basis, so please tell us your honest thoughts on how they feel to wear.
Mr. Kawakami: Yes, I often wear T-shirts in my daily life, but TARROW T-shirts feel good from the moment you put them on.
Of course, the fabric is very soft because they are particular about it, but I think it feels more comfortable from the moment you put it on than other T-shirts. Also, it is made in a larger size, so it is easy to move around in and very comfortable to wear.
CBC_coffee & beef carnevale
Address: Grace Building B1, 5-11-24 Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: 3 minutes walk from B1 exit of Omotesando Station (nearest station) on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Cafe hours: 8:00-19:00
Restaurant hours: 11:00-20:00
Parking: None
instagram: @cbc_coffee＆beef carnevale
HP: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1306/A130602/13251359/
