Meet Jaffa Fallahi, KCL’s favourite coffee man

The Virginia Woolf Building on Kingsway would be a much drearier place without Jaffa Fallahi – the coffee man with a smile.

Since the new building opened its doors in 2013, Fallahi has been serving refreshments in the foyer, earning himself an affable reputation with students and staff alike. In fact, such is his popularity that PhD student, Renata Meirelles, regular at VWB and pally with Fallahi, began an online petition to prevent the ousting of this much-loved barista.

The Tab spoke exclusively with Meirelles to delve further into the circumstances behind Fallahi’s potential departure, which has been widely deplored across King’s. Meirelles started the petition on learning that King’s planned to dismiss Fallahi, commencing the 7^th of April 2014 – a decision supposedly justified by the fact classes have now ceased for King’s students as they prepare for exams. Due to the lack of students utilising the building, Fallahi’s services were deemed unnecessary. What is more, Fallahi is contracted through the recruitment service, Plan Personnel. It was believed he would be replaced by someone from within the King’s catering department as a way of cutting back costs.

Meirelles aimed to persuade King’s to keep Fallahi on, arguing in favour of his “kind and warm-hearted” nature. In addition, Meirelles drew attention to Fallahi’s professional prowess with the petition claiming he has been awarded the prize for the best latte, cappuccino and macchiato at the Hilton Coffee Competition and even earned himself an invitation to the London Coffee Shop Festival – both of which have been confirmed by Fallahi himself, although he was unfortunately unable to get time off work to attend the festival.

Jaffa and Renata give us a smile.

A cheery disposition that brightens any early morning and a coffee that hits the spot – it’s little surprise that King’s students reacted in such a way to Fallahi’s potential departure with signatures surpassing 270 within the first day of the petition. The comments of King’s students also testify Fallahi’s positive presence upon those who frequent VWB.

One supporter of the petition praised Fallahi and his “perma-smile” for “Offering a welcome reprieve from the faux enthusiasm […] at Starbucks, Pret and the like”. A second student took the emotional attachment to another level, arguing that Fallahi “is capable of making a mark on this earth and in our hearts.” Anecdotes of free apples and large coffees for the price of a regular one only add to the resounding “Save Jaffa!” rhetoric. Indeed, it seems no one has a bad word to say about Fallahi.

Doing what he does best.

Meirelles assured us Fallahi is “completely aware of the petition and is very happy to learn that he has that much support.” We paid him a visit at VWB to check this was the case and were delighted to discover the petition has persuaded King’s to reconsider their decision. Fallahi will regain his position at VWB from the 17^th April 2014.

Fallahi was delighted to speak to The Tab and only too keen to express his gratitude for the students who signed the petition. He adhered to his courteous reputation by offering us delicious dates from his home country, Iran. He then served up his famous lattes, which certainly lived up to expectation. On being asked what he liked most about his job, he referred to himself as “an ambassador for the students”. He sees his role as welcoming students into London, especially those from outside Britain, by always offering a friendly face – he is certainly more than just VWB’s coffee man.

Fallahi also spoke of his vision for a seating area alongside his stall in the VWB where students can socialise and study together. He says he has discussed these plans with King’s staff at VWB and they proved favourable. King’s students can therefore expect improvements to facilities at VWB but, most importantly, the continuing presence of our most adorable coffee man!

You can sign the petition here: http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/king-s-college-london-students-petition-to-save-jaffa-fallahi-our-coffee-man