mixology
WORLD BABYCAKES’
OUT OF THIS
CUMMINGS JEF
by kevin plautz photo by jay jones
32-year-old, Stoli Cocktail Classic semi-finalist
Jef Cummings has been working behind the bar at Babycakes for over five years now. The Rage Monthly sat down with this Ohio native
and self-proclaimed “Trekkie,” to learn a bit more about why he loves “Taco Tuesdays” and how he serves up the fun every week.
Tell us what brought you to San Diego. I visited SoCal twice in junior high and fell in love
with it. I bounced around the California coast living in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles and San Diego. San Diego just always felt like home. How long have you been working at Babycakes? Back in 2011, I started as a barista and shift leader,
about a year later I began training behind the bar. It wasn’t long until I had multiple bar shifts and became the bar lead. What’s your favorite shift to work at Babycakes? That would most certainly be Taco Tuesday.
When I first took over the Tuesday shift about five years ago we added a taco menu. Before it was mellow, but now it’s become my busiest weekday shift. We now have four different styles of tacos that are unique, because they have a more Guerre style. Tuesday has become the day when I can expect a regular and ever-expanding crowd. During happy hour, you can get a great price on dinner, as well as catching a good buzz on our terrific happy hour drink prices!
56 RAGE monthly | SEPTEMBER 2017
Rumor is that you’re a big Trekkie fan, is that true? Yes and it’s all due to my father, Mike. I remem-
ber from an early age, after dinner we would always watch Star Trek. First, wasThe Next Generation but as I got older, Star Trek Voyager became my favorite. I even named my two cats after characters from Star Trek Deep Space 9, Julian and Jadzia. We hear you had a chance encounter with your favorite actress fromStar Trek Voyager. I was living in Pasadena and Kate Mulgrew,
who played Captain Kathryn Janeway, was doing a show at the Pasadena Playhouse next to my apartment complex. She lived across the hall and I was constantly peeking out the door to catch a glimpse of her. One night around one in the morning I came home from work and went into the elevator. Someone walked in behind me and I asked “what floor?” In her very recognizable voice she replied, “Number five, please.” The next few moments were a blur as we rode the elevator up and I followed her to our respective apartments babbling nonsense in her wake. In retrospect, I was probably super creepy and I’m surprised she didn’t hit me with pepper spray. (Laughs)
kate mulgrew
Last year you represented Babycakes in the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic. How did you do? I was very fortunate to be able to participate.
That year 15 cities from around North America had competitions and sent a single bartender from each city to Key West Florida to compete in the finale. My partner and best friend, Leo, encouraged me and gave me the drive to keep going. I didn’t win the top three, but I did take home the “fan favorite” trophy, which sits proudly on my bar at home. What’s the best part about working at Babycakes? My favorite part about working behind the bar is developing friendships. I make the drinks but when I hear stories (years later), from people that have sat at my bar it makes me feel special. I have my regular customers that stop in often who are so much fun. I’ve also become friends with many tourists visiting from around the world. It really touches me when I receive random gifts like post cards and letters from Canada, Europe and Australia.
Babycakes 3766 Fifth Avenue 619.296.4173
babycakessandiego.com.
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