Baristas hold a unique role within the hospitality sector, requiring a highly specialised set of skills to perform their craft at a high level. These skills vary from being able to create immaculate latte art to working in a high-demand, fast-paced environment. In a country at the forefront of innovation and coffee culture, such as Australia, these demands are increasing with every new trend and the continual lifting of café standards.
Enter the professional barista. Perhaps not previously regarded as a genuine career choice, the evolution of the Australian barista has seen the vocation emerge more recently as an established career option in its own right. Our country’s fascination with all things coffee has lead to an influx of people being taken by the challenge of learning the knowledge and skills required to pump out delicious and consistently high-quality beverages in a café setting.
Once a barista has mastered the skills necessary to keep their bar operating at peak performance, what are the next steps in career progression should someone want to continue their own growth path? That’s where the spark for Barista Engage was conceived. As the industry continues to grow in its professionalism, what can be done to clearly delineate the available paths of progression for a budding barista?
As part of the program, a practical workshop was held at the Coffee Commune in QLD where attendees were treated to some knowledge bombs from some of the industries leading figures – Phillip De Bella (The Coffee Commune), Sam Taylor (Soul Origin), Justin Metcalf (Aurigin Coffee), David Makin (Axil Coffee), Paul Asquith (Josie Coffee) and Craig Lawson (The Alternative Dairy Co.). Furthermore, participants were invited to submit their biographies and details on their career aspirations prior to the workshop, with five lucky enough to win the opportunity to be mentored in by industry experts in the months following the workshop.
Melinda Brown was one of the baristas chosen and will be mentored by Sam Taylor and Phil De Bella to discover her career path within the industry. “I’m excited to figure out what my next step is and where the world of coffee can take me,” she said.
Programs such as Barista Engage are not only becoming more salient but are necessary to continue to develop and grow our industry to new heights. As Melinda remarks, “one of the most enjoyable aspects of Barista Engage was meeting other baristas and realising there are many more people walking a super similar journey out there.” We are excited to continue our path in fostering the passion by bringing people together with through events such as Barista Engage.
You can check out the Barista Engage session videos here:
Meet our Barista Engage baristas and their mentors:
Barista
Amos Sharma
Talking about myself, I am Amos Sharma Chapagain, originally from Nepal I’ve been in the industry for over 4 years, primarily working as a head barista/assistant manager in one of the coffee shops in Sydney.
Mentor
Paul Asquith – Josie Coffee
With 20 years already spent committed to coffee, Paul’s passion is for digesting the endless possibilities and knowledge surrounding coffee flavour development.
Mentor
David Makin – Axil Coffee Roasters
David Makin is best known as a two-time Australian Barista Champion and the owner of Axil Coffee Roasters. David has spent his life learning about coffee development and business experience and how these two tie in, and strongly believes that success is a journey, not a destination.
Barista
Anastasia Chandra
Since completing a barista course in 2014 as a different career path from personal training I developed a new passion – brewing the perfect cup and latte art. Pursuing the love of latte art I competed in several competitions while working for Hudsons Coffee back in 2015 to 2018.
Mentor
Toby Smith – Toby’s Estate
The story of Toby’s Estate began in 1997, when coffee loving lawyer Toby Smith made a life-changing decision, swapping legal books for coffee cups to follow his passion for his favourite brew. In 2001, Toby’s Estate was born when he opened his very first cafe, espresso school and roastery.
Mentor
Jeff Dutton – Alchemy Cordial Company
Jeff is an experienced General Manager, Asia Pacific Sales Manager & National Sales Manager, used to managing people. He has a history of building brand recognition, sales and profitability across multiple countries simultaneously combined with extensive experience in the development and achievement of budgets.
Barista
Brendan Kresby
My name is Brendan, I am married with a 2 year old daughter. I work at a small coffee shop in Boondall (North Brisbane) called ‘Heck Yes! Coffee’.
Mentor
Sam Taylor – Soul Origin
Sam spent the 2000s and early 2010s running cafes and pursuing the craft of a barista. A National level competitor and now ASCA Latte Art Judge, Sam has spent the past 5 years sharing specialty coffee with Australia in his role as head of coffee for Australian franchise group Soul Origin.
Mentor
Paul Asquith – Josie Coffee
With 20 years already spent committed to coffee, Paul’s passion is for digesting the endless possibilities and knowledge surrounding coffee flavour development.
Barista
Melinda Brown
Melinda has been in the coffee industry since she was 14. Taking time off being a barista after her last job, she is currently in part time business as a counsellor.
Mentor
Sam Taylor – Soul Origin
Sam spent the 2000s and early 2010s running cafes and pursuing the craft of a barista. A National level competitor and now ASCA Latte Art Judge, Sam has spent the past 5 years sharing specialty coffee with Australia in his role as head of coffee for Australian franchise group Soul Origin.
Mentor
Phillip Di Bella – The Coffee Commune
Phillip started one of the fastest growing coffee companies in Australia know as Di Bella Coffee, and has seen global success in his international start-ups. He now sits as the CEO of The Coffee Commune.
Barista
Prue Ireland
I’ve been owner/operator of a small suburban cafe with my younger sister since April 2018. I had very little prior experience making coffee when we took over the business, and I knew it’s a make-or-break for café’s so it became a bit of an obsession!
Mentor
Phillip Di Bella – The Coffee Commune
Phillip started one of the fastest growing coffee companies in Australia know as Di Bella Coffee, and has seen global success in his international start-ups. He now sits as the CEO of The Coffee Commune.
Mentor
Justin Metcalf – Cafe Consultant
Australia’s most recognized Coffee & Café consultants. His business was first developed to provide café training and to promote the specialty coffee industry in Australia and throughout the world. Concentrating initially on perfecting the skills of the Barista, Justin’s passion then led to an active involvement in the speciality roasting industry, where he has established a reputation as a Master Roaster.
