Reader of the Week: Yoshiko Rhodes

Coffee slinging, chef-in-training, cycling queen from Seattle

By Kirsten Kilponen
Published: March 16th, 2009 | 12:00am

Besides possibly having the best first-name ever, this former Chi-town gal brews a mean bean, has classical chef training, and a love for cycling with the bike thighs to prove it. But after 21-year-old Yoshi outgrew her hotdog-loving city, she had to leave it for a place with much, much cooler nicknames — i.e. “Rain City,” “The 206,” “Jet City,” and the oh-so-amazing “Sea Town,” just to name a few. Take a look at why she made the move, what she really wanted to be when she grew up, and her low-down on what makes Seattle the best city for coffee.

Yoshiko is an awesome name. What does it mean?

I have been told that my name means a lot of things, but I think my favorite and most accurate would have to be “daughter of good luck.”

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A karate teacher.

You recently moved from Chicago to Seattle. Why did you do it, and can you do a quick comparison of the two cities?

I moved to Seattle because Chicago was just becoming too much for me to handle. Seattle and Chicago are such different cities; It was kind of culture shock. Seattle is so laid back and calm. I think it has to do with all the fresh air. Seattle is so green and eco-friendly. I can’t believe it! Seattle has such an amazing recycling and compost system that garbage just doesn’t really exist. I mean, Styrofoam is banned from the city! One thing I do miss about Chicago is Hot Doug’s. I have yet to find a hot dog stand that serves a mean dog. Seattleites actually put ketchup on their hot dogs! Blasphemy! I have never tasted more amazing produce than in Seattle, though. Seattle is huge with Farmer's Markets and supporting local farms (if you are ever in Seattle, visit the biggest market, Pike Place Market, open every day in the heart of down town). There is even a co-op grocery store, PCC Natural Markets!

You're a cycling queen. Can you tell me how you got into cycling in the first place, how many bikes have you gone through, and if you’ve noticed an increase in your thighs' muscle size?

I went to my first critical mass in Chicago about four year ago. I went with a few friends and was hooked! It was great being a part of a community that wasn’t biased about skin color, race, gender, or sexual orientation. It was just about having fun, staying healthy, and being good to the earth by being one less car. In the past four years I have gone through about seven bikes. My baby had to have been my bike, Bailey Bear. It was a mint condition 1950's three-speed royal blue cruiser with a front lamp that ran from a generator. I found it at this co-op in Chicago’s Westside, Working Bikes, and fell in love. It still had every single original part. I only rode it for joy rides, until finally realized it was just too big of a bike for me. So I sold it. It was a very sad day. Pants are the worst! My thighs are huge for my tiny stature. I can’t wear normal sized pants because pants are not made for short women with huge asses and thighs. So, I have to resort to little girl jeans … jeans made for short girls going through puberty. On the bright side, I pay about half the normal price for my jeans.

What is your dream bike?

A Specialized Ruby. Basically, it’s a road-racing bike built especially for the comfort of women, and a red Bare Knuckle frame with yellow components, A.K.A. my hot dog bike.

You also went to culinary school. What was the craziest/hardest/most interesting thing you've ever cooked, baked, fried, or sautéed?

The most interesting would have to be the “Elvis Cupcake” at the Bleeding Heart Bakery in Chicago — a chocolate cupcake with bacon bits and peanut butter frosting. Strange, but oh so delicious!

Can you tell us about your day job slinging coffee and the low-down on Seattle coffee?

While I’m looking for a night pastry job, I am currently slinging coffee at this tiny West Seattle coffee shop called Bird on a Wire Espresso. The place is littered with bird paraphernalia and locals. We’re all about a simple, good cup of coffee. It should be smooth, velvety, and simple. Baristas in Seattle take their jobs seriously. Making sure every cup of coffee is perfection and delicious. If you are ever in Seattle, you must try Victorla Coffee. Best drip in town!

Where are your favorite places to eat, shop, and people watch?

I really love this crazy café in the U-District called SureShot. It’s this dingy, loud, café/arcade. I also really love Pike Place Market. There’s this amazing little stand that sells Filipino food for really cheap. There are tons of cafes and bakeries, and the most amazing cheese shop where you can get the best mac and cheese ever! There is also this crazy guy who walks around with his pet ferret! From what I’ve heard the best second-hand finds are at the Seattle Goodwill Outlet where you can buy clothes for $1.29 a pound! Crazy!

Any last words?

Unicorns and cupcakes are the shit!

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Check out Yoshi’s blog: www.bakingandlearning.blogspot.com

Check out Yoshi’s favorite bike blogs: www.sheldonbrown.com; www.cyclelicio.us; www.bikeporntour.blogspot.com