Racking your brains for the perfect gift for the coffee enthusiast in your life? A practical, hands-on training course to polish the skills of the home barista in the making is always a hit. With coffee schools thick on the ground, Essteele has done the homework for you and selected the top courses in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane.
The Toby's Estate Espresso School - Sydney
There's nary a coffee drinker in Australia who hasn't heard of or sampled Toby's Estate coffee. The Toby's Estate Espresso School is just one branch of founder and owner Toby Smith's successful empire which includes four Australian schools and two international schools in Singapore and New York. The Espresso School caters to all levels from the coffee aficionado to the experienced industry barista. Essteele recommends the Home Barista Course, a hands-on course designed to show you how to get the most out of your home espresso machine.
The Espresso School - Melbourne
Multi-award-winning barista trainer David Seng has worked in some of Melbourne's top cafes and competed and judged at the highest levels of state and national competitions throughout Australia. In 2009 he established The Espresso School after realising there was a lack of specialty coffee training in Melbourne. Renowned for his passion and pursuit of excellence, Seng teaches the latest barista and coffee-making techniques via small and practical classes. Catering for all levels, including those looking to gain skills to work as a barista in the coffee industry or for the coffee fiend keen to make cafe-style coffee. They'll even come to you and demonstrate how to get the best out of your espresso machine and grinder in the comfort of your own home. Sessions last 90 minutes and are priced from $250.00.
Coffee Craft Training Academy - Adelaide
Owner Basil Papas began roasting at Adelaide's Central Market more than 25 years ago. He and his wife Anastasia set up their business for all things coffee-related under the Coffee Craft moniker, including barista training for professionals and enthusiasts alike. With a fully equipped training studio the duo offer courses to suit all skill levels and applications from the home enthusiast looking to develop their skills to employed baristas keen to hone their craft. Training courses and seminars run throughout the year.
Australian Barista School - Brisbane
Pitched at the home user, the Australian Barista School's three-hour barista experience teaches students how to use a coffee machine from scratch. With no prior experience, the course covers everything from frothing milk to cleaning and maintaining a coffee machine. The school will happily send a gift certificate or customers can up the ante and choose from their selection of gift boxes. For those serious about becoming a trained barista, their five-hour barista course includes two hours of coffee art and results in a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment.