Working as a barista is an incredibly rewarding career that can open doors all over the world. Most people have purchased coffee and seen baristas working hard, but what does a day in the life of a barista really look like in a busy coffee bar? There is certainly a lot more to it than standing at a coffee machine making drinks. The best baristas have spent time honing their craft and learning all they can about the coffee-making process. So, let's take a look at what a day in the life of a barista entails.
Be Ready to Juggle Multiple Tasks
Before getting started, we should be clear that a barista's role is varied and challenging. Making delicious drinks is only part of the job. During a barista's standard shift, they will be responsible for taking orders and payments, brewing coffee, preparing food, maintaining equipment, cleaning, and more. Especially during busy times, baristas need to keep a cool head and stay focused on the task at hand. Multitasking is a fundamental skill for any barista.
Preparing for the Morning Rush
Depending on the type of café you work in, it's likely that you'll start early as a barista. There's plenty of preparation to do before the store opens, with tasks potentially including calibrating the espresso machine, grinding fresh coffee, and even arranging food and other items in display cabinets. If you're in a busy café, time management is crucial because once the morning rush hits, you're likely to be flat out.
Coffee has become a staple for people starting their day, especially while commuting to work, so the morning is often the busiest part of the day. As a barista, if you set everything up correctly, you should be able to work efficiently and effectively to keep the line of satisfied customers moving. The morning setup can make or break the day, so attention to detail is key.
Customer Interactions
As we mentioned, being a barista involves much more than making coffee. Baristas are also responsible for interacting with customers to take orders and payments. Customer service is a crucial part of a barista's job because it's often these friendly morning interactions that keep customers coming back for more.
Some customers want the fastest service possible, while others enjoy getting to know their barista and having a friendly chat. You'll get to learn people's preferences over time, and a friendly face behind the counter is a big part of building customer loyalty. Remembering a regular's name or their usual order can turn a casual customer into a loyal one.
Making Delicious Coffee
Of course, a barista's main role is to make great coffee. With the right barista training courses, you can develop the skills to work with precision, speed, and consistency. Remember, Australians can be quite particular about their coffee, so a barista must consistently meet high customer standards.
As a barista, you'll make a wide variety of drinks and use techniques such as coffee grinding, tamping, steaming milk to create the perfect microfoam, and even latte art. Once you master the techniques required for different types of beverages, you're ready for busy café life. Crafting the perfect cup of coffee is both an art and a science, requiring continuous learning and practice.
Taking Care of Equipment
Baristas must also maintain a clean and hygienic work environment, which means regular cleaning of all equipment. This could include the espresso machine, grinders, frothing jugs, and more. Australia has high standards for hygiene in the hospitality industry, and baristas play a key role in keeping workspaces clean. Keeping equipment clean also ensures your beverages taste great, and your customers keep coming back.
A clean machine not only ensures the best flavour but also extends the life of the equipment. Regular maintenance checks and deep cleaning sessions are part of the daily routine.
Want to Take Your Barista Skills to the Next Level?
If you're interested in becoming a master barista, Coffee School has a range of courses to help improve your skills. From coffee appreciation to barista masterclasses, we help you develop the skills and knowledge for a long and rewarding hospitality career. Our courses are designed to cater to all skill levels, whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your craft further.
Contact us today to find out more and start your journey towards becoming a top-notch barista. With the right training and dedication, you can turn your passion for coffee into a fulfilling career.
