Are you looking for a customer orientated job that provides a stable income, regular shifts and excellent career prospects? If you are a person who enjoys working with the public, providing an excellent level of customer service at all times, then a Barista job may be the perfect job for you.
Who is the barista? A barista is a person who prepares and also generally serves espresso-based coffee drinks. In some countries like Singapore, the term barista is also often applied to coffee shop employees who prepare both espresso and regular coffee drinks. Even though the term “barista” is used to designate someone who has received professional training in making espresso, it may also be applied to anyone who has a high level of proficiency in creating espresso shots and espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
Barista job descriptions
Baristas that work in coffeehouses or coffee shops, typically operate commercial espresso machines. Despite the fact that it sounds simple, commercial espresso machines vary in the difficulty of their work.
When using commercial espresso machines, some processes are manual and call for a high level of expertise, training, and flexibility in order to accommodate the subtle differences in each batch of coffee, the preferences of the drinker, and other factors. Other machines only need to be “super-automated” by pushing a button after being loaded with entire beans.
Baristas are required to master the challenging stages involved in making espresso shots since they operate the more intricate machines.
In addition to creating espresso, baristas typically foam, froth, and steam milk to prepare a variety of espresso-based drinks as well as coffee drinks like drip coffee, French press coffee, and pour over coffee.
A barista’s job also includes understanding the differences between beverages like the flat white and the cortado, which are made with the same amounts of steamed and textured milk and espresso.
Finally, for many baristas, customer service is a key part of their job. They are serving customers the drinks they have prepared and many people interact directly with the barista. In larger coffeehouses, the baristas may work behind the scenes and not interact with customers, but in smaller shops, it’s likely that the same person taking the drink order will then be making the drink.
Skills barista must have
In addition to manual espresso making expertise, some baristas are known for specialties like latte art, coffee roasting, in-depth knowledge of coffee, or brewing cold-brewed coffee.
You might be used to seeing leaves or hearts on top of your milk and espresso drinks. It’s tougher than it seems to have this unique style. When a barista’s skills advance, the technique, which involves pouring the steaming milk in a specific way so that as it rises to the surface it makes a specific design, can get more challenging.
Is this barista job for you?
A barista position is right for you if you are passionate about personal growth and welcome opportunities to broaden your knowledge and abilities whenever they arise. After becoming a barista, you could pursue a long and fruitful career in different positions in the culinary and hospitality sector.
