How do you learn how to become a barista?

[thasianguy]

I'm currently 14 years old and know nothing about coffee, but I want to become a barista in a cafe. I'm currently studying at school and want to know what you have to learn in order to be a barista. I have got a vague idea of getting a job at McDonalds McCafe or Muffin break in order to get experience, but that's all.
I would really appreciate it if you guys could help me or lead me in the right direction. If you could suggest some links or forward this message to someone who could help me, then I would appreciate it very much.
Thank-you,
Thasianguy

[nathanharley]

Hi Thasianguy, since no one has offered any advice i'll do my best to suggest some ideas to get you on the right track. Firstly, join Coffee Snobs, check. Find some relevant books to get stuck into, books like Scott Rao's The professional Barista Handbook, there is lots out there put together by very talented baristas. Get onto youtube, there is a plethora of videos out there demonstrating every technique under the sun! Most importantly, get some training, most specialty coffee roasters provide some level of training, it does come at a cost, but not a lot, and it will definitely put you into the right groove, just google barista training, and find somewhere in your location it will go along way. Last thing, if you don't have one already, get an espresso machine, it doesn't have to be expensive or hi-tech, when you start making espresso/coffee a lot of the posts on here will become more relevant, you will begin a journey in creating, troubleshooting and sometimes a painfully frustrating roller-coaster ride of making the perfect brew. Then you'll want to go further, explore manual brew, hi-tech machines, working on speed, latte art, your own recipes, brew ratio's, machine customization, it just goes on from there! Probably one last thing, i'm not sure of your location, but go get immersed in the cafe scene, visit all the top cafes, speak to the baristas (believe it or not, most baristas do enjoy sharing their passion for coffee with others that are equally passionate, perhaps just not during peak hour).

OK to sum up: Read books (and blogs/forums),Get training, Online Information, Visit (the best) Cafes + Buy a machine/grinder and practice!

Just remember, its not all cruisey cafe beats and pouring stacked tulips, its a high pressure job, that a lot of the time doesn't pay that well, you work potentially long stressful hours, (we) they do it for the love of it, its a passion (if it isn't, they are in the wrong career path)

All the best - Enjoy the ride.

[bluebell]

Hi Thasianguy , for starters, I think I like your attitude. I'm a home roaster home barista for some five years .. how good I am, who knows. I love my equipment and what goes in the cut for the best part of it I'm very happy. I'm not all that technical as some that speak on the threads here, in fact I'm interested mostly in their roasting technical knowledge but sometimes it's just too technical.
To answer your request as said by nathanharley he's given you some good pointers.
A hands on approach, somewhere like Macdonals is a good thought. Their training programme is second to none for all aspects of getting into hospitality food industry. A very good stepping stone IMO.
Your own machine, which you can achieve without too much outlay.
Be aware that being a barista is not just about pouring coffee and for the good ones about their are few.
Coffee is a great journey a very interesting one and you could accomplish a lot .. so enjoy S

[tobeanornottobean]

This link http://coffeesnobs.com.au/general-co...esso-home.html may introduce you to the basic concepts of making espresso. Next step, a machine - so you can start working out what all that actually means. You will obviously need to find a cafe willing to train you at some stage.

[Rolf]

Commercial links removed per Site Posting Policy CBD College : Barista Course & Training | Coffee Courses
only two places where you can learn more about Barista
search by yourself at internet. good luck.

[readeral]

I wouldn't hit up CBD, if you really want to end up in the specialty scene, look at Five Senses in Stanmore

[GrahamK]

If you could suggest some links or forward this message to someone who could help me, then I would appreciate it very much.
Thank-you,
Thasianguy

You may want to look into the Barista Training guides provided by Perfect Espresso. Developed and written by an educator here in Oz. commercial link removed per Site Posting Policy Perfect Espresso | Espresso Perfetto - Coffee Art, Coffee Recipes, Coffee Books, Coffee training resources

GrahamK