This article explains the basics of what a barista is and career prospects for those who serve in this role.

Anne Spencer once said, Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard.

An expert can make good coffee look easy. There are many jobs in the restaurant industry, but only one is considered a true expert on coffee and other related beverages - the Barista.

We’ve put together a simple guide about what a barista is and what to expect from this career path.

What is a Barista?

At its simplest, a Barista is someone who makes and/or serves coffee and coffee-based beverages. These can include espresso and drinks made from espresso such as lattes, cappuccino and iced coffee beverages.

A barista is skilled at preparing beverages made from coffee and usually has extensive knowledge of the different types of coffee available from around the world.

What does a job as a barista look like?

Working as a barista can mean many different things. A barista in a hotel coffee bar may only make and serve basic coffee and espresso drinks while a barista in a full coffee house will often serve other beverages like tea, spritzers and frozen drinks too.

A barista in a coffee shop or cafe may also serve light food like sandwiches, bagels, cake or breakfast items. The job involves working with the public on an almost non-stop basis.

Qualities of a good barista

A good barista will have a good memory, to be able to remember all the recipes of popular drinks. Plus, he or she would be creative and have a good palate to discern the different flavors of coffees.

Good customer service is also important as well as being fast on the feet.

Career prospects as a barista

Career prospects as a barista are varied and exciting. It may be possible to work in a restaurant, cafe, coffee shop or hotel. Plus, in many large cities there are gourmet coffee carts that need skilled workers too.

This is a job that can be done from anywhere around the world including huge cities and small towns.

Outlooks for the industry

As part of the food and beverage industry, the outlook for this career is much the same as other jobs in this field.

Zacks.com reports “Recent strong gains in the labor market on the back of a steady rise in wages will likely encourage consumers to dine out more. Besides, restaurant operators are undertaking various sales building and digital initiatives to enhance guest experience and, in turn, drive traffic and comps.”

The future of the industry is positive and will grow in proportion with the economy as a whole.

As you can see, a career as a barista can be quite interesting and holds prospects for today and in the future.

Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) is an ambassador for traditional Swiss hospitality and has been a pioneer in hospitality education since 1893. It has created and inspired a unique professional community of over 25,000 hospitality managers, united by the values and the legacy of EHL.

EHL is a leading university that provides learning solutions for enthusiastic, talented and ambitious students from over 100 different countries. With undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, EHL offers its students a range of on-campus and online education opportunities at different stages of their professional journey.

EHL is regularly recognized as the best hotel management school in the world with the highest graduate employment rates in the industry. EHL is a member of EHL Holding SA, a Group dedicated to hospitality management education.

For more information, please visit the website or follow the blog