How to Be Barista Barback - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 15, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Excessive caffeine consumption can lead to negative health effects, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, insomnia, headaches, and digestive problems. Baristas and barbacks, who work in the coffee industry, are especially at risk for these issues due to their constant exposure to high levels of caffeine. the physical demands of working in a cafe can further exacerbate these health issues.

For example, barbacks often lift heavy equipment, while baristas may be on their feet for long hours, both of which can increase stress on the body and further contribute to fatigue and other health issues. To ensure the health and safety of these workers, cafe owners should ensure that their employees are taking regular breaks and that they are not overworking themselves.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. Most barista barbacks require at least a high school education before they can be considered for the position.
Obtain on-the-job training. You can learn the basics of being a barista barback by working in a restaurant or bar as a server. This will give you the opportunity to observe how bartenders make drinks, mix ingredients, and interact with customers.
Get certified. Although it is not required, it is recommended that barista barbacks get certified in alcohol safety and bartending. This certification will demonstrate your commitment to the job and will help you stand out from other applicants.
Develop strong customer service skills. As a barista barback, you will be interacting with customers on a daily basis. It is important that you develop strong customer service skills so that you can provide a positive customer experience every time.
Learn the menu and drinks. As a barista barback, you will be expected to know the menu and drinks offered at the restaurant or bar. Take the time to learn the different ingredients used in each drink and how to prepare them properly.
Develop strong organizational skills. As a barista barback, you will need to be organized in order to keep up with customer orders and stock the bar efficiently. Take the time to practice your organizational skills and learn how to prioritize tasks.
Have a flexible schedule. Being a barista barback often requires working late nights and weekends. If you are unable to commit to a flexible schedule, this may not be the right job for you.

Being a skilled and efficient barista or barback requires a great deal of knowledge and practice. Having a good working knowledge of the equipment and ingredients used in a bar or cafe is essential to being successful in this role. Preparation is key reading up on recipes and techniques, understanding the various coffee brewing methods, and taking the time to practice can help build skills.

having an eye for detail, a knack for multitasking, and an ability to stay organized are also important qualities to have. With these traits and a willingness to learn, baristas and barbacks can become skilled and efficient in their roles.

You may want to check Busser, Café Host, and Head Barista for alternative.

Job Description

Barista: Prepare coffee drinks, operate cash registers and handle customer orders, maintain cleanliness of work area and equipment, and provide excellent customer service.
Barback: Maintain bar area and equipment, restock bar with beer, wine, spirits, and other supplies, prepare garnishes for drinks, assist bartenders with mixing drinks, and ensure that all health and safety regulations are followed.
Server: Take orders from customers and deliver food and drinks to tables, maintain cleanliness of dining area, provide excellent customer service, and process payments.
Busser: Clear tables of dirty dishes and utensils, reset tables for the next guests, restock dining area with supplies, and provide assistance to servers and bartenders as needed.
Host/Hostess: Greet customers as they enter the restaurant, create seating arrangements for guests, answer phone calls and take reservations, assist with customer inquiries, maintain a neat and orderly reception area.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of espresso machines and coffee brewing techniques
Ability to prepare and serve specialty coffees, teas, and other beverages
Ability to accurately follow recipes and properly measure ingredients
Ability to work quickly and efficiently in a fast-paced environment
Ability to maintain cleanliness and organization of workspace
Ability to interact with customers in a friendly and professional manner
Knowledge of food safety practices
Proficiency in POS systems and cash handling
Knowledge of coffeehouse menu items
Ability to upsell menu items and suggest pairings
Ability to handle customer complaints and inquiries
Ability to lift and move heavy objects
Ability to restock and order supplies
Knowledge of coffee shop operations, including inventory management

Being a successful barista or barback requires many different skills, but the most important of all is the ability to effectively communicate with customers. Good communication skills ensure that customers feel heard and valued, and it also allows baristas and barbacks to quickly identify and address any issues that arise. Communication also helps to build strong relationships with customers, which can lead to repeat business and referrals.

On the technical side, baristas must have an understanding of coffee brewing techniques, while barbacks must have knowledge of beer and liquor, as well as cocktail recipes. baristas and barbacks must be able to work quickly and efficiently in order to keep up with customer demand while also delivering top-notch service. Lastly, both baristas and barbacks must be knowledgeable about their respective establishments policies and procedures, as this helps to ensure compliance with local health and safety regulations.

Cafe Barista, Cafe Lead, and Cafe Associate are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in the barista and barback industries?
What techniques have you used to provide great customer service?
How do you handle a busy shift?
How have you handled difficult customers in the past?
Describe a time when you successfully handled a challenging situation as a barista and barback.
How do you ensure that a safe work environment is maintained in the bar area?
What do you know about craft beer and wine?
How do you handle multiple orders or requests at once?
What strategies have you used to increase sales or tips as a barista and barback?
What other food and beverage-related tasks are you capable of doing?

Common Tools in Industry

Grinder Used to grind coffee beans. (eg. Baratza Virtuoso Coffee Grinder)
Brewing Equipment Used to brew coffee. (eg. Chemex Pour-Over Coffee Maker)
Milk Steamer Used to steam milk for lattes and cappuccinos. (eg. La Marzocco GB5 espresso machine)
Blender Used to blend drinks such as frappuccinos. (eg. Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender)
Espresso Machine Used to make espresso drinks. (eg. La Marzocco Strada EP espresso machine)
Knock Box Used to discard used coffee grounds. (eg. BUNN G2 HD Red Commercial Coffee Grinder)
Coffee Scale Used to measure out coffee grounds for brewing. (eg. Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale)
Portafilter Used to hold ground coffee while brewing espresso. (eg. La Marzocco Double Portafilter)
Tamper Used to compress ground coffee in the portafilter. (eg. Nuova Simonelli 50mm Tamper)
Thermometer Used to ensure the proper temperature of milk. (eg. Taylor Digital Instant Read Thermometer)

Professional Organizations to Know

Specialty Coffee Association (SCA)
National Coffee Association (NCA)
Barista Guild of America (BGA)
United Baristas
Coffee and Tea Association of Canada (CTAC)
World Barista Championship (WBC)
Global Coffee Quality Program (GCQP)
International Coffee Organization (ICO)
International Specialty Coffee Association (ISCA)
North American Barista Championship (NABC)

We also have Café Attendant, Café Worker, and Barista Latte Artist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Barista. A barista is a person who prepares and serves coffee drinks and other beverages.
Barback. A barback is a person who assists bartenders and baristas, stocking liquor and ingredients, cleaning, running errands, and helping with customer service.
Latte Art. Latte art is a creative style of pouring steamed milk into a shot of espresso to create patterns or designs on the surface of the coffee.
Barista Tools. Barista tools are the essential equipment that a barista needs to prepare coffee drinks, including an espresso machine, coffee grinder, milk steamer, and cup warmer.
Coffee Roasting. Coffee roasting is the process of heating green coffee beans over a flame to produce the dark brown roasted beans used to make coffee.
Barista Techniques. Barista techniques are the methods used by professional baristas to prepare specialty coffee drinks such as cappuccino, latte, macchiato, and flat white.
Coffee Grinding. Coffee grinding is the process of breaking whole coffee beans into smaller particles to prepare the beans for brewing.
Milk Frothing. Milk frothing is the process of using steam to create foam from milk for espresso-based drinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Barista Barback?

A Barista Barback is a specialized role in the coffee industry which combines the responsibilities of both a barista and a barback. The barista's job is to prepare drinks, serve customers, and handle cash transactions, while the barback's job is to restock supplies, clean and maintain equipment, and assist the barista as needed.

What does a Barista Barback do?

A Barista Barback is responsible for preparing and serving drinks, handling customer transactions, restocking supplies, cleaning and maintaining equipment, stocking ice, and assisting the barista as necessary.

What qualifications are needed to be a Barista Barback?

Professional qualifications to become a Barista Barback include good customer service skills, an understanding of drinks preparation, knowledge of how to use and clean coffee-making equipment, and a basic knowledge of food safety.

How much does a Barista Barback typically earn?

The average salary for a Barista Barback is between $15-$22 per hour.

What other skills are helpful for a Barista Barback?

Other helpful skills for a Barista Barback include being organized and detail-oriented, being able to multi-task, having good communication skills, and being able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Web Resources

Barista & Café Training | Wake Technical Community College www.waketech.edu
What is a barista? And what does the future hold for this career? hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu
Barista Course Keris College www.keris.edu.my