How did you practice your skill?

[l0nglive]

Hi,

I'm about to do a barista course next week; I don't think it would be enough to get paid work.
I'm looking for ways to practice making coffee while looking for job.

Can anyone here please share your method of practising barista skill? Should I buy home machine and play with it?

[MrFreddofrog]

Na, don't bother. Most cafes can't make decent coffee anyway so you'll fit right in.

[Dimal]

Na, don't bother. Most cafes can't make decent coffee anyway so you'll fit right in.

Wow! That's helpful...

Welcome "l0nglive"...

Having some decent equipment available at home would be helpful to improve skills. Also, I would canvass all the local coffee-shops in your area that to you at least, seem to make a decent cup. Ask them if you can start working (for no pay) during non busy periods as a work experience gig.

You'll probably have to start in the kitchen washing up before you're allowed to touch anything involved with making coffee but you have to start somewhere. This will also give you experience on the overall operations too, as there is a lot more to working in a coffee-shop than just making coffee...

Mal.

[MrFreddofrog]

Wow! That's helpful...

Mal.

Dude lighten up, it was a joke, the little smiley face and tongue sticking out should have been a bit of a clue but next time I'll make it more obvious for you.

[shortblackman]

You can try a lot of good coffee (you may have already of course). You'll get a taste for quality, and coupled with your developing skills you will get a feel for what you can do to improve your coffees when making them.

I'm no expert barista or taster by the way, but I know drinking good coffee helps me to develop clear objectives in my making.

Youre probably right. There won't be a job straight away, but those courses can be really good. And volunteer, as Dimal says.

[Dimal]

next time I'll make it more obvious for you.

And a bit of a smart-arse to go with it... Splendid.

Mal.

[mwcalder05]

Hey hey! Welcome to the coffee scene!

What I did was pretty much learning on the job. But by that I mean starting out at a roastery washing dishes and waiting on tables and then gathering as much knowledge as possible whilst practising at home. Did this for about 2 years and then got on the machine.

Now about the barista course, that can be really vague and could either help or hinder your quest. Is it from TAFE or from a local cafe/roastery?

M