Are you looking for a new job that involves your love of coffee and artistry? Maybe you should consider a career as a certified barista through the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). They offer a specialized course in the art of the barista. When you become certified through this course, you can walk into the most trendy coffee bars and restaurants confident in the knowledge that you`re in a class by yourself.
The Barista Guild of America (BGA) is the official guild of the professional barista. What separates a barista from your average coffee slinger? A professional barista has been trained to create and deliver coffee and espresso beverages in a manner that exemplifies quality and craftsmanship. When a drink is delivered by a professional barista, it is made professionally and with an artistry that the average coffee house employee doesn`t have.
The BGA was created in 2003 and offers a variety of courses and events throughout the country. The Barista Certification Program provides three levels of education to make sure the barista gets as much knowledge as possible from the basic to the advanced.
Level 1
The first level of barista certification goes over the most basic principles including an introduction in espresso, customer service, introduction to cupping and introduction to coffee brewing and extraction. After the required coursework, the barista in training takes a two-part certification test and once passed, reaches level 1 certification.
Since this is the most basic information, people experienced in the coffee trade can choose to take a test beforehand and take the required course in customer service to attain certification. There isn`t a fee to enroll in the certification process, but the classes are taught by individuals and they will set their own prices.
Level 2
When a barista reaches level 2, they are expected to know and retain the information from the previous course. It is made up of five mandatory courses and an extra course they can choose. The certification includes grind dose and tamp extract, espresso bar efficiency and workflow, latte art, espresso machine preventative maintenance and the two-part certification test.
They must also choose one of the following: basics of coffee farming, “Seeds to Roaster” lectures or webinar, or attend a SCAA Origin Trip. You may notice that this certification goes beyond simply making coffee drinks and extends into maintenance of the espresso machine and workflow efficiency. These are important business aspects that a professional barista must understand. Without it, they will not fully appreciate the art of the barista and the requirements of the job.
Level 3
The constraints of the level 3 training and certification are still being decided by the SCAA and the BGA. As of this writing, those requirements still have not been decided, but will be available in the future. The Level 3 certification will feature the most advanced aspects of the barista trade and will likely only be attainable by the most experienced baristas or students willing to commit to intense study.
Many people don`t realize the training and knowledge that must be acquired to become a certified barista. Customers assume that these are traits that you simply picked up or have a knack for, but in reality it requires training and experience. A professional barista is highly sought after in the coffee trade, so don`t be afraid to go out and get the certification is that the job direction you want to follow. Soon, you could find yourself in a professional kitchen next to a Rangemaster Classic Deluxe and hobnobbing with the business and Hollywood elite. A professional barista is no different than any other professional in the business world and is worth everyone`s respect and admiration.
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