Coffee officially runs in your blood, and you’re poised to take on the food and beverage job title of coffee artist, or barista, to bring your passion to the lips of others at specialty coffee shops and other popular hospitality settings. But which course is best for your purposes?
A barista is a rewarding, yet high-energy profession. You’ll prepare espresso-based coffee drinks for a living, harnessing your in-depth knowledge of different coffee beans and brewing methods – and will serve these with aplomb, topped with a latte art design that delights, and customer service that sees your neighbourhood regulars returning before work, without fail, for a vibrant hit of mental stimulation.
You may have the basics down pat, but what about advancing things a bit with a globally ranked barista training course?
The European Bartender School (EBS) Barista Course will create a highly skilled working barista out of you in just five days.
Learn brewing methods, latte art, coffee flair, and so much more – together with hands-on training from expert instructors such as the head of education at EBS, Gavin Wrigley, who brings to the task 10 years of experience in managing bars, and enviable instructors Moe Thu Zar and Ranjan Gomes.
Simply select your language of choice (e.g. English), city of choice (hello, Barcelona!), and pay the course fees – currently approximately US$850 (about R15 000) for the 5-day Barista Course.
More info: https://www.barschool.net/
Cape Town’s ultimate barista bootcamp
If Cape Town’s on your agenda in the months ahead, how about taking on their 5-day Professional Barista Course at an affordable US$535,30 (about R9 600).
This offering is geared at anyone who is serious about going into the industry or opening their own coffee shop, and covers everything from how to create your own variety of bean blends and advanced latte art, to costing the coffee beverages you plan to serve in your very own venue.
Just be sure to expect a test at the end that mimics what is required in the National Barista Championship. Course times are Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00 in Johannesburg and 09:00 to 15:00 in Cape Town.
More info: https://shaker.co.za/
Master the art of espresso in Florence
The method at Espresso Academy, Florence, is hands-on, expects you to thrive in real-world work situations, and invites all the experimentation, testing, and trying you may need to learn the ropes to perfection. Consider the Advanced Barista Course, which is held in English over two days.
You’ll enjoy the way in which their Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) trainers skillfully immerse you into an unforgettable espresso extraction, latte art, and specialty espresso experience for just US$271 (about R4 800), including handbooks, video courses, and slides. Pay in three instalments if preferred.
More info: https://espressoacademy.it/
Level up your barista game in Arizona
For those travelling to, or based in, the United States, a great option is one of the Barista Skills Courses (foundation, intermediate, or professional level), offered by Patrick and Anca O’Malley at the International Barista & Coffee Academy (IBCA), based in Tempe, Arizona.
Those who’ve been there ahead of you reveal that the IBCA is a state-of-the-art facility equipped with each and every tool you may require to upskill yourself into a frenzy.
Select your preferred course according to cost and the number of days you have available, and emerge with refined skills and knowledge for application in the professional environment.
More info: https://www.ibca-usa.com/
Perhaps, of all the food and beverage job titles out there, this one holds the most appeal to young people newly entering the industry and requires, arguably of course, the most manual dexterity. Unless you’re considering a bartending career, which is another type of mixology altogether.
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