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  • #16
    Re: How does one become an experienced barista whe

    The only reason why I will be doing prepare and serve is because it is a requirement for AASCA accreditation.

    Commitment to a place and passion are very important traits I would look for in hiring a barista. A simple test is to simply get the applicant to make a coffee. Many people fail miserably. Just as an example, a girl walks in to a prospective employer and hands in her resume. It states she has completed the Serve and Prepare espresso course, yet when asked to make a coffee shes say "no no, I havent learnt that yet."

    The course is a good stepping stone to get you started, but you wont learn everything. Prepare and Serve would be better if it required AASCA type criteria like before being certified. Eg having to do the 4 caps, 4 espresso and 4 mixed order drinks in 15 minutes before being awarded the certificate. It would be much better for the industry and the student in the long run, and will go a long way in improving the coffee industry in Australia.

    I myself started off just wanting a job...any job. I applied for a cafe and got the job as a barista because I was "switched on". Eventually this job consumed me and it has become a great passion of mine. Learn as much as you can....and then continually learn. Professional development is great for you and the employer.

    When I first started training as a barista, I learnt to pull shots and then steam milk. I thought pulling shots was wayyyyy easier than steaming milk. Now it is the otherway around...perfect microfoam with my eyes closed. Pulling shots has become inherently harder because I am a perfectionist.

    Good luck in your search.

    David

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    • #17
      Re: How does one become an experienced barista whe

      I convinced the guy that hired me to let me make a coffee.
      I did well enough for him to change his immediate dismissive attitude and sit down and talk.
      I think the pictures of my Expobar and Macap were then enough to convince him to give me a go.
      About a week later he called me up for some shifts.

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      • #18
        Re: How does one become an experienced barista whe

        I think being able to do the AASCA-type criteria before being granted a certificate is a good idea. After all being able to do the 12 drinks in 15 minutes would probably be a minimum in a real fast-paced cafe.

        I can practice that at home...but I cant drink all the drinks myself, or can I ? ;D

        Nunu will be kept very busy roasting if I run the beans down like that

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        • #19
          Re: How does one become an experienced barista whe

          You can always "pretend".

          What would be wrong with using some stale grounds to practise dosing and tamping.
          You could reuse the grounds over and over.
          Prepare the saucer, spoon and sugar sachets.
          Pretend to lock and load the PF into the group and count off a 30 second pour.
          Steam some water in your milk jug and pour into your cup/s.

          That way you could simulate 12 drinks in 15 minutes without wasting fresh beans.

          When you are comfortable that you can run through the process smoothly and consistently, you might try a full dress rehearsal.

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          • #20
            Re: How does one become an experienced barista whe

            Originally posted by Green Bean link=1172489340/15#17 date=1172568513
            I think being able to do the AASCA-type criteria before being granted a certificate is a good idea. After all being able to do the 12 drinks in 15 minutes would probably be a minimum in a real fast-paced cafe.

            I can practice that at home...but I cant drink all the drinks myself, or can I ? ;D

            Nunu will be kept very busy roasting if I run the beans down like that

            I forgot to write in my initial post that the same rules apply....minimum score of 208/357 with WBC based performance. If "Serve and Prepare Espresso" courses (which are nationally recognised) do take this path, perhaps they should drop that down to 180/357. That would be more reasonable....then shoot for ASSCA accreditation, if professional development is important for the barista, where you need to achieve a minimum of 208/357.

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            • #21
              Re: How does one become an experienced barista whe

              Originally posted by Green Bean link=1172489340/0#8 date=1172539060
              2MCM, TG, Robusto and Luca,

              Thanks for sharing your experience and insight with me.  My top priority is to get the Prepare & Serve course done first.  I did the "Understanding and Master with TAFE but I cant complete the Prepare & Serve there because it requires 30 hours commercial work experience.  Forsyth is the next place Im thinking of.  Luca, your suggestion is particularly useful as I spent all night last night thinking how I was going to map out all the cafes I was going to visit and sell myself to  :

              Add one more to the list : dont forget to bat your eyelids at 1000rpm.

              Thanks everyone !

              TG, by the way, Im also looking around for an internal auditor job at the moment.

              Im not sure where you are, Green Bean, but at NSW TAFE "Prep and Serve" doesnt require work experience. It is often offered as part of a general Hospitality Operations course, and 30 hours work experience is a requirement for that, but my local (Southern Highlands) TAFE has offered it as a stand alone, one day course with no no experience needed.

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              • #22
                Re: How does one become an experienced barista whe

                As a cafe owner I would say that a bright outlook, a cheerful disposition, and a willingness to learn, are all equally as important as any training qualifications, or work experience.

                Good luck in your quest, and dont give up!

                Cheers,

                Pat

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                • #23
                  Re: How does one become an experienced barista whe

                  Originally posted by Viviane link=1172489340/15#20 date=1172569617
                  Originally posted by Green Bean link=1172489340/0#8 date=1172539060
                  2MCM, TG, Robusto and Luca,

                  Thanks for sharing your experience and insight with me. My top priority is to get the Prepare & Serve course done first. I did the "Understanding and Master with TAFE but I cant complete the Prepare & Serve there because it requires 30 hours commercial work experience. Forsyth is the next place Im thinking of. Luca, your suggestion is particularly useful as I spent all night last night thinking how I was going to map out all the cafes I was going to visit and sell myself to :

                  Add one more to the list : dont forget to bat your eyelids at 1000rpm.

                  Thanks everyone !

                  TG, by the way, Im also looking around for an internal auditor job at the moment.

                  Im not sure where you are, Green Bean, but at NSW TAFE "Prep and Serve" doesnt require work experience. It is often offered as part of a general Hospitality Operations course, and 30 hours work experience is a requirement for that, but my local (Southern Highlands) TAFE has offered it as a stand alone, one day course with no no experience needed.
                  Hi Viviane,

                  I did my first 2 courses at Ryde TAFE (http://www.sydneycoffeeacademy.com.au/HTML/Programs.html) and the only reason why I stopped short of certification is because of that requirement. Quoting from the website:

                  Barista Certification - Prepare and Serve Espresso Coffee
                  (Accreditation)

                  This program is intended for coffee operators wishing to gain accreditation. Participants must have completed Understanding & Mastering Espresso and undertaken a minimum of 30 hours commercial practical experience on an espresso machine.

                  Students will undertake an accreditation process which will test and assess both their knowledge and practical skills.


                  I wouldnt mind taking a week of annual leave and just working for free at a cafe to get that experience.

                  TG, very good suggestion with the dry runs.

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                  • #24
                    Re: How does one become an experienced barista whe

                    The Coffee Preparation module and the Coffee Preparation - Statement of Attainment it is part of, say nothing about 30 hours commercial work.

                    Have a look here:
                    http://www.tafensw.edu.au/howex/servlet/Course?Command=GetUnitDetails&UnitCode=4514A

                    Also: Espresso Coffee Preparation and Service - TAFE PLUS Statement
                    http://www.tafensw.edu.au/howex/servlet/Course?Command=GetCourse&CourseNo=24005&tpInd=Y


                    TG, very good suggestion with the dry runs.
                    Thanks, more like "semi-wet".

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