Just a little story.
There's a really exceptionally nice Bistro in a resort complex on the Coast near where I live.
I go there regularly with a variety of friends/family for coffee, morning tea or lunch.
They use one of the better brands of beans and the coffee has always been good.
Unfortunately, like all of these outfits, the ownership/management changes occasionally so quality does vary somewhat.
Dropped in on Sunday with a mate after taking the sports cars for a run and ordered a Piccolo Latte.
Blank stare from the very pleasant young barista which prompted me to ask in a friendly way whether she knew how to make a Piccolo.
Response resulted in the provision of some further information from me about the number of shots, size of cup, and use of steamed milk.
Coffee duly arrived and it was fine.
A bit later I asked for a Macchiato, and we again went through the routine of how many shots, what sized cup etc, at which point she said "Oh yes, with a dollop of cream on top". Alarm bells started ringing so I quickly said, "Ah.. spoonfull of frothed milk" - to which she replied "Oh yes, not icecream, I was thinking of Affogato". Crisis averted.
The 'Macca' arrived with the Demi pretty well full (it was obviously topped up with hot water) but the coffee was OK (for a long black)
It makes me realise how irresponsible many employers are that they obviously make no attempt to train their baristas properly.
This young lady probably had everything needed to be a really good barista but noone was bothering with training. I guess if she sticks with it long enough she might seek out a Barista Course somewhere, but in the meantime half her potential is wasted.
There's a really exceptionally nice Bistro in a resort complex on the Coast near where I live.
I go there regularly with a variety of friends/family for coffee, morning tea or lunch.
They use one of the better brands of beans and the coffee has always been good.
Unfortunately, like all of these outfits, the ownership/management changes occasionally so quality does vary somewhat.
Dropped in on Sunday with a mate after taking the sports cars for a run and ordered a Piccolo Latte.
Blank stare from the very pleasant young barista which prompted me to ask in a friendly way whether she knew how to make a Piccolo.
Response resulted in the provision of some further information from me about the number of shots, size of cup, and use of steamed milk.
Coffee duly arrived and it was fine.
A bit later I asked for a Macchiato, and we again went through the routine of how many shots, what sized cup etc, at which point she said "Oh yes, with a dollop of cream on top". Alarm bells started ringing so I quickly said, "Ah.. spoonfull of frothed milk" - to which she replied "Oh yes, not icecream, I was thinking of Affogato". Crisis averted.
The 'Macca' arrived with the Demi pretty well full (it was obviously topped up with hot water) but the coffee was OK (for a long black)
It makes me realise how irresponsible many employers are that they obviously make no attempt to train their baristas properly.
This young lady probably had everything needed to be a really good barista but noone was bothering with training. I guess if she sticks with it long enough she might seek out a Barista Course somewhere, but in the meantime half her potential is wasted.

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