It’s a Woman’s World: Amanda Eng of Kash & Liv Coffee Creations

From corporate America to…coffee?!

That’s exactly what Amanda Eng did. And now she’s making waves with her craft coffee concoctions that have included creative, original flavored lattes, cold brews with fruity sweet cream cold foams, and decadent cups of hot cocoa.

Amanda, and her coffee biz that’s named after her twins, Kash and Liv, is seemingly everywhere in the Newtown with pop ups at PTA meetings, to Newsylum Brewery, and others. Now with a home base inside of Uncle Matt’s Bakery and Café in nearby Sandy Hook, you’ll at least always know where to find her for your caffeine fix.

I recently caught up with Amanda to get Kash & Liv Coffee Creations’ origin story, to talk coffee and coffee inspiration, and what’s in her very near future.

Grab a cup (of her coffee if you have access) and check out our Q&A!

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I first heard of you and about Kash & Liv Coffee Creations on our mutual friend, Jeff Spencer’s Sweet‘N Up Podcast. If people didn’t listen to your episode, they may not know that you’ve been in the hospitality industry for a while. Where did you work and what jobs did you perform?

Jeff is the man! My first job ever was at the Cookhouse in New Milford when I was a junior in high school at 16! I was a hostess. Through college, I would bartend and serve. I’ve worked at Al’s Cookout, Foundry Kitchen and Tavern, 202 Tavern, Tambascio’s, and Starbucks to name a few. I also catered for a local BBQ company as a server and a bartender which is where I learned a lot of my catering knowledge.

One other tidbit that stood out to me was that recollection of you as a child asking to smell the coffee grounds when your mom set up the coffee maker each night for the next day. How did that memory propel you to go forward to learn more about coffee and was being in the coffee business always the plan? Give us the Kash & Liv Coffee Creations origin story. 

Yes! One of my favorite childhood memories! Because it was like every day, I would ask to smell the coffee grounds and for some reason that always stuck with me.

I started drinking coffee at a young age—I would say 14! I started working at Starbucks when I was in college and that was great because it funded my habit! Working there I learned a lot about the process behind how to master certain beverages such as cold brew, pour overs, recipe concoctions, etc. Corporate or not, I believe you can fulfill the love of the art in any capacity, but seeing it from that side lit this spark that fueled me to apply that knowledge but incorporating whole, local, and overall, just better ingredients.

Years ago, I would make coffee flavors at home because I wanted as little sugar as possible. It wasn’t until later on I would be given the opportunity to do so on a larger scale for others and because of this the concept of Kash & Liv Coffee Creations was born. It’s named after my now four-year old twins because I love them and I always says they’re my main reason I need caffeine.

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You’re also known for making some creative, fun flavors. Cannoli, maple-bacon, birthday cake, and Bavarian cream donut lattes, brownie batter hot cocoa, and different sweet cream cold foams atop cold brew. All homemade? And where does your inspiration for this stuff come from?

Ahh! Some of my favorites. Yes, all homemade. I think it’s so important. When you’re using great coffee, why would you want to mix in chemicals, additives, and any flavor that tastes like anything but what it should. My inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere. Lately, because I’m located at Uncle Matt’s, I’ll look at his line up for the day or week and see something sweet and work towards making a similar or complimentary flavor to whatever crazy cube croissant he has queued up. But also, anything I enjoy. I could be in Boston or Little Italy or a great restaurant. I could have a delicious cookie or cake for dessert and instantly I’m like that needs to be a coffee flavor and then I go for it.

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Let’s talk about beans. Where are they from and where are you roasting them?

I’ve learned in my recent adult years to stick to what I’m good at. Baking pastries and roasting coffee do not fall under that category for me. Luckily, I have some amazing resources for both. For beans we currently go through Dhiman Raja, owner of American Dream Coffee Company. He’s in Newtown but he roasts in New York. He has an awesome selection of beans, my favorite being “FAFO.”

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People know to find you at Uncle Matt’s Bakery and Café. Where else are you popping up and how can people hit you up to bring coffee to them?

Anywhere I’m invited! Public events coming up include Wheels for Wheels Car Show on May 4th in New Milford. I’m also collaborating with some local places like Kimberly Farm, Seed to Plate, GOAT Days, and the Southbury Women’s Club.

Aside from public fairs, festivals, and fundraisers I’m also very active in PTA and sporting events, especially in Newtown. If you have children in the district or are a PTA/sports parent looking to collaborate, you can always reach out! I really pride myself in not only being active in the community but always ensuring a percentage of sales is donated back to the organization holding the event because I know how important it is to all involved.

Lastly, I am also available for private events. In just this past month I’ve done over three dozen catering jobs. The jobs vary from staff appreciation brunches, refreshments at hospitals and doctor’s offices hosted by pharmaceutical representatives, teacher development meetings, weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, art shows, town hall meetings, etc. Private events are set up as either a “custom coffee bar” presentation or made to order lattes with full barista service depending on what is requested.

What’s on the horizon for you and for Kash & Liv Coffee Creations?

So much. There’s been a ton of positive change and growth within the business in the last five months- from moving into Uncle Matt’s Bakery, to personally navigating out of corporate America, to full-time into owning a business, it’s been a trip thus far to say the least. For now, the horizon looks like taking more steps towards growing the business and sharing our coffee creations with as many people as possible!

Follow Kash & Liv Coffee Creations on Instagram @kashandlivcoffeecreationsllc