By Lily Jones | Arts and Entertainment Editor
Described by many students as having a “cult-following,” Sarah Groff, a 25-year-old employee at Miley Mart/Starbucks, has become exceedingly popular at Salve Regina – despite not actually being a student.
“I think it’s because I’m a social butterfly. I talk to everybody, I’m easy to get along with,” Groff admits. “People just like me. People tell me they don’t come down to get coffee until I’m here. They know my schedule by heart! It’s like, where were these people in high school?”
In addition to being everyone’s favorite barista at Salve, Groff also works as a baker and cake decorator at EvaRuth’s, a specialty bakery on Aquidneck Ave in Middletown, RI. EvaRuth’s Bakery is completely gluten, nut, and wheat-free, and offers soy and dairy-free options as well. A baker by nature, Groff enjoys her other job immensely.
“My mother and grandmother really taught me how to bake. Ever since I was little, that’s what I did with my grandmother,” she says. “We’d bake tons of Christmas cookies. I’ve always just loved to do it.”
Groff graduated with her Associate’s Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts from Bristol Community College, where she received training from professors who had attended Johnson and Wales University’s College of Culinary Arts. She funded her education herself, committed to mastering her craft over the course of two years.
“I had so much fun doing that,” says Groff. “It was challenging, because it’s all from scratch and you’re learning a whole bunch of new techniques you didn’t know, but I had such a fun time. I really did go to school for what I loved to do.”
Groff says the reason why she adores baking is because it enables her to have “free-reign” creativity, and also because she finds it relaxing. Her favorite thing to make is cake, as it not only allows her to bake, but to frost and decorate as well.
When not on shift at Miley or at EvaRuth’s, Groff likes to spend time with friends, catch up on her favorite television shows, read, and watch movies. Groff says that her favorite films include the Harry Potter series, Star Trek, and “the third Lord of the Rings.”
“I’m a huge nerd,” she admits. “My friends and I are in the midst of making plans to go to Comic-Con.”
In contrast to her “nerdy side,” Groff also likes sports, following baseball, hockey, soccer, and football. She cites the Boston Red Sox and Bruins, and the New England Revolution and Patriots as her favorite teams.
Groff says that the most important people in her life are her parents.
“They support me, but they also help me be the independent person that I am,” she says. “They just taught me the right values.”
Looking towards the future, Groff would like to own her own bakery one day. As for right now, she’s happy working at EvaRuth’s and at Starbucks, where she brings joy to the masses through her positive attitude, her cheerful conversations, and her eclectic throwback music playlists.
