Barista Skills 

Practical skills:

• Outline characteristics of the product to customers 

• Deal with customer queries effectively 

• Handle and store products and ingredients correctly and safely 

Underpinning knowledge:

• Describe the origin and flavour of products and ingredients 

• Describe the processes involved in bringing the products to the market 

• Explain how processes may affect the quality of products and ingredients 

• Compare characteristics of products 

• Describe how to store and handle products and ingredients  

Clean and Check Equipment

Practical skills:

• Check and clean equipment before use 

• Check and clean equipment after use 

• Dispose of waste safely and hygienically

Underpinning knowledge:

• Identify the range of equipment available for each product 

• Explain the brewing/production process relevant to equipment 

• Describe the checks required for each piece of equipment, including the frequency 

• Explain the cleaning process for each piece of equipment 

• Explain how common faults might occur with each piece of equipment 

• Describe the actions to take for each common fault 

• State the importance of leaving areas clean, tidy and safe 

• Outline methods of dealing with waste and rubbish 

• State the main employer responsibilities and employee responsibilities as stated in the appropriate local and national legislation 

Display Drink Building Techniques 

Practical skills: 

• Calibrate pieces of equipment as necessary 

• Operate pieces of equipment to produce the drink required 

• Check drink meets quality standards and correct as necessary 

Underpinning knowledge:

• Outline the calibration and operation of equipment 

• List the drinking vessels and ancillaries required for drinks 

• Describe the quality characteristics for the range of drinks 

• Outline the reasons for professional, methodical, organised and clean working practices 

• Explain how to correct common presentation problems for the range of drinks 

Serve customers  

Practical skills:

• Present a positive personal image 

• Use appropriate communication techniques with customers 

• Serve customers in an efficient manner 

• Ensure service is completed appropriately and satisfactorily 

Underpinning knowledge:

• Outline the benefits to organisations of providing excellent customer service 

• Explain the consequences of poor customer service 

• Describe the personal appearance and presentation required for service 

• Describe positive body language techniques 

• Explain how to make a customer feel welcome 

• Outline organisational procedures for handling customer complaints 

• Explain the importance of listening skills when handling customer complaints 

• Outline organisational procedures for processing transactions 

• State different payment methods