Baristas work on the development, preparation and delivery of a variety of tea and coffee drinks. The job also involves serving simple dishes such as cakes, pies and sandwiches.
Working as a barista, you could work in cafes, restaurants or other places where specialty coffee drinks are served.
• making and serving hot or cold tea and coffee drinks
• explaining menus and assisting customers with orders
• providing information on different coffee beans or small items
• cleaning coffee machines, utensils and work areas
• ordering and receiving stock
A barista must be very interested in coffee and everything related to making coffee. A sense of service and interpersonal skills are important traits in the job, as well as being able to work with others, often under some pressure. The work involves the use of coffee machines and various utensils connected to them, as well as a variety of kitchen utensils and a payment register system.
There is no formal requirement for education to work as a barista. Food industry related study programs are available at Menntaskólinn í Kópavogi and Verkmenntaskólinn á Akureyri but various courses could also be available.
