1-800-927-3286 - Extension 203
Wecome to the Seattle Barista Academy

The Seattle Barista Academy, located in Renton, WA, is your source for Professional Barista Training. We offer espresso training classes with hands-on experience in grinding coffee, steaming, extraction, drink fabrication, latte art, barista training with barista certification, and education materials and CDs.


Experience the best in espresso education with hands-on training using professional espresso equipment. Learn to make a latte, cappuccino, macchiato, or mocha drink from start to finish. Differentiate yourself from your competition with latte art, etching, and other coffee presentation techniques.

 

Our espresso coffee education classes and coffee consulting services are a must for the new coffee shop startup as well as for the experienced operator who wants to fine tune and update their coffee shop experience. In all of our classes we share cutting edge concepts that the elite coffee shops are currently using to grow their businesses and can make a major difference in your operational success.


Here you can register to see our courses, find tools, order coffees, and order consulting for your coffee pleasure.

 
Training Courses on CD

Courses offered on CD are a must for the new coffee shop owner

Latte Art Love: A Step by Step Approach TM

Read About SBA
Read about ... what makes SBA the BEST in Espresso and Coffee Education!

Articles  |  Testimonials  |  Bios | SBA Partners

Ten Reasons why the new coffee shop owner should attend the Seattle Barista Academy

  1. Because you - the most valuable asset in your business – need to invest in your Coffee knowledge and skill - to be a successful coffee shop owner.

  2. Because we know that our graduates save and earn up to $60,000 more the first year after attending the Academy.

  3. Because whether you are a coffee shop owner, manager, or barista you want to maximize and grow sales and business profits.

  4. Because to learn from the successes and mistakes of others is less expensive in the long run than learning at your own expense.

  5. Because you want to enhance your overall coffee experience and that of your customers.

  6. Because by gaining knowledge through hands on training at the SBA you will build loyal customers and staff.

  7. Because you want to create the best service for you customers.

  8. Because our Seattle Barista Graduates consistently give our training five star ratings.

  9. Because coming to Seattle - the Coffee Capital of the United States - to train and to experience the coffee culture is like going to Paris to see the art or Holland to see the flowers….simply wonderful.

  10. Because we are so convinced that you will by happy with your training at the Seattle Barista Academy that if you are not - your money will be refunded in full. How’s that for confidence in our educational product.
In the News

seattle barista academy cbs news

 

February 2008

 

Starbucks stores shut down to train baristas; Competitors move to take advantage
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 Here is a Fox report on Starbucks with our head barista (Philip Search) commenting. 

 

Welcome Lorrie McCullaugh!  SBA is proud to welcome Lorrie to our training staff.  ...more

 

January 2008

 

The Seattle Barista Academy recently provided hands-on training to participants of the Tea and Coffee World Cup Americas exhibition in Miami Beach. Participants came from all over the world to learn and experience the latest barista techniques taught by Philip Search and Lorrie McCullaugh. Espresso equipment was provided by Brasilia. The classes: Latte Art, Beginning Barista and Advanced Barista Training were met with rousing enthusiasm by participants. This innovative strategy for providing training (i.e. on the trade show floor) was quite successful and may continue in the future.

 

November 2007 - FreshCup Magazine

 

In "Back to School - Making Coffee Education Happen", the focus is on premier educational programs available in the United States for the would be barista and coffee aficionado and mentions several training facilities including the Seattle Barista Academy.

 

In "Nine(9) Bars: "Dr Espresso, Report to Grinder, STAT!", our own Philip Search focuses on what can (and will) go wrong with extraction, and what indicates a problem.  He discusses under-extraction, over-extraction, clumpy grind, uneven dosing, sour expresso, inconsistent flow rate, dull burrs, and channeling and offers insight into the causes and corrections. 

 

Biuliano, Peter. "Back to School - Making Coffee Education Happen." FreshCup - Speciality Coffee and Tea Trade Magazine November 2007: 49-54

 

Search, Philip. "Nine(9) Bars: "Dr Espresso, Report to Grinder, STAT!" FreshCup - Speciality Coffee and Tea Trade Magazine November 2007: 94-102 - contributing photographer - Lorrie McCullaugh

 

Seattle Barista Academy was recently interviewed by
CBS and ABC. Check out our videos below.

 

02/18/2007
CBS Sunday Morning - The Money Issue
- Watch Here

 

03/22/2007
ABC Nightline - McDonalds/Starbucks Coffee Wars

- Watch Here

Hands On Training at the Seattle Barista Academy
Barista Fundamentals, Gaining Command of the Variables - 2 day

This course covers the fundamentals including cupping and palate development; seed to cup chain; bean grinding; milk theory and milk steaming; espresso theory; extraction and profiling; and the basics of equipment maintenance; as well as work flow/ergonomics coupled with a visit to a coffee shop to observe and see in action what has been learned in the training. For pricing and registration click here.


Barista Fundamentals plus Drink Building Package - 3 day

This course continues to build on skills learned in days one and two and introduces hot and cold espresso beverage preparation and presentation including latte art and etching. For pricing and registration click here.

 

Barista Fundamentals plus Drink building and Coffee Business Consulting Package - 4 day

The new coffee shop owner will find this training indispensable! This course offers all of the above plus a full day of business consultation covering staffing issues (e.g. hiring, training), development or review of your business plan and concept review, and methods of marketing (creating a satisfied and happy customer). For pricing and registration click here.  (Note: This class will become the final section of a 5 day course, effective June 1st, 2008. This class is still available through May 2008 as part of a 4 day package.) 

 

Barista Fundamentals plus Development of the coffee house menu: brewed coffee, tea, and other beverages - 4 day

This course continues the skills building of days one through three and also includes brewed coffee and whole bean sales; tea tasting and brewing; menu building and the psychology of its development; information about coffee roasting, profiles, and sourcing; and creating signature beverages. For pricing and registration click here.  (Effective June 2008)

 

Barista Fundamentals plus Drink building and Coffee Business Consulting Package - 5 day

The new coffee shop owner will find this training indispensable! This course offers all of the above plus a full day of business consultation covering staffing issues (e.g. hiring, training), development or review of your business plan and concept review, and methods of marketing (creating a satisfied and happy customer). For pricing and registration click here.  (Effective June 2008) 


Weekend Fundamentals Class 
This course is an intensified weekend course covering Barista Fundamentals, Drink building, and Latte art. The class is limited to five people to ensure a quality experience. For pricing and registration click  here.


Home Barista: Coffee Preparation - 1/2 day: Morning 
In this 3 hour course, you will discover how to get the best flavors out of your purchased coffee and brew.  Topics include: using the right water, the relationship between the grind and the brewing method, cupping (i.e. tasting) for beginners, choosing the right coffee, and a hands-on demonstration of several popular home brewing methods. For pricing and registration click  here.

 

Home Barista: Espresso Preparation - 1/2 day: Afternoon 
In this 3 hour course, you will learn the basics of espresso and espresso extraction. Topics include: how to extract espresso and diagnose taste problems, how to steam milk properly with tips and recipes for competition quality espresso beverages, and machine maintenance. The course offers a hands-on experience using several popular home machines and grinders. For pricing and registration click  here.
Training and Consulting

Training at Your Location

The Seattle Barista Academy offers on site customized training programs for the new coffee shop owner. These programs can be tailored for training you and your staff in:

  • Professional barista techniques and drink building to ensure that all your drinks are presented to your customers with consistent high quality.

  • Customer service methods that will delight your patrons and set your store apart from your competition.

  • Work flow efficiency and order processing to maximize sales.

  • Opening and Closing procedures to ensure that your shop is always looking good and ready for the next morning.

  • Vender management, inventory control and cash management to enhance profitability.

Learn more or Contact Us for Pricing

Custom Consulting Packages

Our consulting packages are designed to give you the tools you need to fit with your individual business needs. The Seattle Barista Academy customizes coffee consulting for your long term success. We work to give your business the knowledge and skills necessary to enjoy a profitable, and exciting place in the coffee industry.

Learn more or Contact Us for Pricing

What are customers saying about us?...

"As a new drive thru coffee shop owner, I knew I needed some quality training so I searched the web and found the Seattle Barista Academy.  I attended the Weekend “Espresso fundamentals and latte Art course” September 15th and 16th. The one on one premium training I received was awesome and beyond my expectations.  I am now confident that I can deliver a higher standard, consistent product to my customers.  I also received consultation on my menu, sourcing suppliers, cash management, operational flow and much more.  I would highly recommend the Seattle Barista Academy for consulting services and barista training to any new startup’s and coffee shop owners."

 

 ~ Teresa Harrie owner of “A Better Bean” , Port Orchard, WA

September 15th-16th, 2007

 

“We took both sessions, beginning and advanced. As far as knowledge and content, it was very, very good. It helped us coming back. We were able to use what we learned immediately in training our staff on pulling shots, steaming milk, and much more.”

~ Kevin Playforth, PlayLan Café, Danville, KY

 

“I benefited a lot from the training. It taught me what I was doing wrong and made the coffee taste a lot better”.

~ Rachael Becker, Mon Café, San Leandro, CA


“The trainings were wonderful. We both found them wildly helpful, and feel we have the  beginnings of the intricacies of being baristas.  We both benefited tremendously.”

~ Jennifer and Phillip Cohen, Manlius, NY

 

“The barista training was tremendous. Those guys were great. They each had different styles and perspectives, which for us was invaluable. We were already experienced restaurant guys, but we are now also confident baristas after just 5 hours. We also gained insight on equipment and design issues that were cloudy before.”


~ Tom and Dino Bezanes, Chicago, IL

 

...More