Baristas can hone their skills at Farrer’s training center
Credit: Farrer's
Farrer’s, the UK’s oldest independent coffee roaster, is sharing over 200 years of coffee making expertise with UK coffee shops by welcoming baristas to their state-of-the-art training center. Nestled in the picturesque Lake District, Farrer’s eight-person capacity facility has been designed to help outlets elevate their coffee menu and skill set, whether they are a complete beginner or an experienced barista wanting to refine their skills.
This is something that Michaela Hudson, Farrer’s head barista trainer feels highly passionate about. “At Farrer’s, we know that having qualified staff is key for showcasing coffee quality and elevating standards. To help operators achieve this, we are proud to offer two industry-recognised levels of certification. Those first entering the barista world will find our Beverage Standards Association Level 1 most beneficial. This full day course helps baristas kickstart their career. With lessons on the coffee process, extracting the perfect espresso and preparing gourmet coffees, this is a complete introduction into the role of a professional barista,” she said.
On the flip side, baristas can advance their skills with the City & Guild Level 2 VRQ Certification. At the end of the three days training, learners will complete a practical and theoretical exam. Hudson said that beyond the standard criteria for these qualifications, Farrer’s offers a tour around its roastery (if production allows). “This provides learners a unique insight into the coffee-making process, providing confidence when passing this on to customers. Whether you are an employed barista or not, people have a fascination with coffee. It is a conversation starter that enhances customer experience, and we regularly receive fantastic feedback from all outlets praising how Farrer’s training has improved face-to-face relations with customers.”
Rob Baines, general manager at Farrer’s, shares this enthusiasm, as he further praises the training center. “We are proud of our history and want to communicate our experience with our customers so they can capitalise on the unrivalled quality of Farrer’s blends. This is why we offer a free, half-day basic barista skills session to all wholesale customers and those who use our traditional espresso machines. This develops an understanding of everything from coffee selection, dialling in the grinder, coffee dosage, shot times and milk texturing/steaming. We also dedicate time to developing drink menus.”
Farrer’s training center has everything required to take a deep dive into the world of coffee. There are four individual workstations, complete with a Sanremo Zoe Compact Two Group Coffee Machine, digital grinder, knock box and all the accessories required. Farrer’s does not just share their knowledge of coffee, and sessions additionally cover making teas and cold drinks. With ice machines, blenders, tea brewing facilities, milkshake makers and syrups, learners can expand their skillset, allowing outlets to deliver a more diverse drinks menu.
For more information, visit farrerscoffee.co.uk/collections/barista-training or email [email protected].
