My life as a barista at Starbucks Coffee was the most challenging and fun. While every shift has its surprises, I wanted to give a little glimpse into my average job day! If you’re considering becoming a barista, tag along to see what it’s like behind the counter.
Table of Contents
Good Morning in the Life as a Barista
It’s 5 a.m. on a chilly Monday morning, and the sound of the alarm clock goes off, signaling the start of another day for countless baristas all over the world. While most people are still fast asleep, these dedicated professionals are up and getting ready to open their coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants to serve their customers.
Life as a barista, your day starts long before your first customer arrives. You need to be at the coffee shop at least an hour or two before opening time to set up the machines, grind the coffee beans, and prepare everything you’ll need for the day ahead. You need to make sure the coffee grinder is clean and ready to go, the milk is frothed to perfection, and the pastries are freshly baked and ready to be served.
Mourning-shift Routine in the Life as a Barista
- Arriving at 6:30 AM – Flipping the “Open” Sign
My life as a barista usually starts in the early mornings at 6:30 a.m. when we open. The first 30 minutes are spent brewing coffee, grinding beans, and getting the pastry case ready. I’ll wipe down the tables, count the register, and make sure we have enough cups, lids, and milk ready for the early rush. Gotta prepare before the customers started rolling in!
- Dialing in the Espresso
The priority is dialing in our espresso machine. This means pulling test shots, adjusting the grind size, and tasting until I get a balanced 25-second shot with a rich crema. Properly extracted espresso is the foundation for every drink. I toss a lot of subpar shots until it’s just right!
- The Customers Roll In
From 7:30-9 am we get a lot of regulars stopping in on their way to work. I make small talk with folks like Mr. Franklin who always orders a medium coffee and banana muffin. It’s nice seeing familiar faces. I try to remember details – Sara likes her latte with almond milk and Rob thinks our dark roast is too bitter. Knowing their regular orders makes the morning move faster.
From 9 to 11 am we get slammed by customers stopping in on their commute. My heart races trying to keep up with the flurry of orders while still making each drink with care. I collaborate with my coworkers to tackle the demand. Communication is key – calling out drink orders and asking for help restocking. In my life as a barista, getting good at this rush took time but I thrive under the pressure now!
- Secret Menu Sippers
When it slows down late in the mornings, I get customers who love to order “off menu” and test my mixology skills. It’s fun to make unique layered lattes and teas. A woman asked me for a honey lavender iced coffee the other day and gave great feedback after I crafted it for her. I have regulars who trust me to whip up something new for them daily. Keeps things interesting!
- Lunch Break with My Crew
I look forward to my 30-minute break to sit and chat with my coworkers. We bond like a little family and it’s nice to take a breather and refuel on the sandwiches or paninis we make ourselves. My manager even joins us most days. In my life as a barista, these short breaks are really important.
- Afternoon Pick-Me-Ups
People start flowing in again around 1 p.m. needing their afternoon caffeine fixed. I enjoy it when students or folks working nearby drop in. I totally get needing that mid-day espresso or iced mocha to power through the rest of the day. We get a lot of Frappuccino and smoothie orders when it’s hot out too. Gotta keep my blenders polished!
- Handover to Closing-Shift
At 3 pm we slowed back down giving me time to start closing tasks and prep for the closing shift. I’ll restock cups and lids, run a cleaning cycle on the espresso machine, tally up the pastries we’ll need, and take out the garbage. After we give hand over at 3:30 pm I check out feeling that sense of accomplishment after a solid day’s work!
The Challenges in the Life of a Barista
Being a barista isn’t all about brewing coffee and making latte art. There are numerous challenges that baristas face daily. One of the most significant challenges is dealing with difficult customers. Customers can be demanding, rude, or just downright unpleasant. It’s important to remain calm and professional, no matter how difficult the customer may be.
Another challenge that baristas face is maintaining consistency. Every cup of coffee must be consistent in taste and quality, no matter who’s brewing it. It’s not just about following the recipe; it’s about understanding the coffee beans, the brewing process, and the customer’s preferences.
The Joy in the Life of a Barista
Despite the challenges, being a barista is a rewarding experience. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of creating a perfect cup of coffee and seeing the smile on your customer’s face. It’s a job that allows you to connect with people from all walks of life and be part of their daily routines.
As a barista, you’re also part of a community of passionate coffee lovers. You get to attend coffee competitions, meet other baristas, and exchange ideas on how to improve your craft. You’re constantly learning and growing, and that’s what makes being a barista such a fulfilling career.
Conclusion
The life of a barista is busy but extremely rewarding. No two days are the same and I love interacting with customers and experimenting with new drinks. Hopefully, this little peek behind the scenes gets you excited about joining the world of coffee too! The aroma of freshly ground beans and steamed milk awaits – get out there and brew!
