Damien Senior Member Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Singapore Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Feama
Posted Thu Sep 4, 2008, 9:13am Subject: Where can I learn more about coffee in Singapore?
Hi all.
Anyone knows where I can learn more about coffee here in Singapore?
I understand Highlander Coffee and Cuppa Choice do have Barista courses on offer. Has anyone attended, or have a better idea of how it is conducted?
By some twist of fate, I ended up running a small cafe of my own(well...i have another partner) at Suntec City. Though business has been good, I am sad to say that my knowledge about coffee preparation still leaves much to be desired.
IMO, the espresso coffee culture here is still far behind. Populated by francised chains such as Starbucks, Coffee Bean, TCC, Gloria jeans etc, most people behind the espresso machine are just students, part-timers, or fulltime staff that cannot even froth milk properly. Can't blame them though, low wages, low demand for good coffee and the high turnover rate in this industry(at least in singapore) means it is hard for a budding barista to have a good environment to nurture in.
Kudos to Spinnelli though, which I feel is at least putting in a good effort in the staff training part(Ross is the trainer right?) Since my cafe is at Suntec, I popped by the Singapore Barista Comp and was suprised to see alot of spinnelli staff around, either in the comp or cheering their friends on.
Well, do reccomend where and how I can improve my own knowledge other than reading off forum postings, which can be difficult at times. Anyone willing to give me pointers can drop by Crosstalk Cafe at Suntec to give me pointers as well. haha.
pstam Senior Member Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 2,086 Location: Beijing Expertise: Professional
Espresso: ECM, SAN MARCO, EURO 2000 Grinder: MAZZER Vac Pot: YES Drip: YES Roaster: YES, HOME STYLE
Posted Fri Sep 5, 2008, 7:07am Subject: Re: Where can I learn more about coffee in Singapore?
Kaffa Cafe, Peking of China, where is the right place for you to learn about coffee and espresso drinks bewing skills right, to improve your cafe and its coffee drinks.
We have training service in Peking and Guangzhou, where I am now. It takes 10-15 days for you to get know about coffee and espresso brewing skills. If only you come and taste our coffee and chat for an half hour, you will be sure what you can learn and what I am talking about.
Note: if it is considered as an ad., please delete it immediately and forgive me.
Peter in Beijing ------------------- http://www.kaffa.cn/ ------------------- I have got a new website, just started to establish. If you have any question or suggestion, let me know and it is mostly appreciated.
lyzzard Senior Member Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 18 Location: Singapore Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Sat Sep 6, 2008, 4:43pm Subject: Re: Where can I learn more about coffee in Singapore?
Hi Damien,
I'm an alumni of Highlander's barista class. The experience was a richly rewarding one which served to enhance my understanding of the many different facets of the coffee business. Many attendees were folks who were interested in setting up their own cafe business, as well as espresso enthusiasts and owners of F&B establishments like yourself.
The course was conducted over two evenings and we received about 8 hours of instruction in all. There was an enlightening presentation on the history of coffee, how beans are grown and harvested, coffee tasting techniques, espresso preparation, milk frothing, latte art, etc... It's a very hands-on course in the sense that we were encouraged to try everything out for ourselves, under the careful guidance of the instructors. I think I must've frothed about 5 liters or more milk over the 2 evenings, and pulled about 20 shots of espresso. Coffee tasting was done with a variety of beans and we were carefully instructed in differentiating the subtleties of the various beans. The helpful and encouraging nature of the instructors made for a comfortable learning environment and I'm glad I made the choice to attend. Here's a link to more info on their barista classes.
Don't take my word for it, there's a long list of testimonials at their website too. I do however feel the best way is to check it out for yourself. The Highlander lads always welcome a visitor who has the time to shoot the breeze on any coffee-centric topic. I think a casual visit would be a good way for you to get a feel about what the place is all about.
Damien Senior Member Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Singapore Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Feama
Posted Mon Sep 29, 2008, 2:58am Subject: Re: Where can I learn more about coffee in Singapore?
Thanx lyzzard,
Guess I am joining you as a highlander alumni soon. Just signed up for the course today after a chat with Phil the other day. Hopefully the class will be as enriching as many of the reviews I have seen.
Maybe after that I will be able to speak some geek too!
csisfun Junior Member Joined: 4 Sep 2008 Posts: 19 Location: Singapore Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Mon Sep 29, 2008, 4:18am Subject: Re: Where can I learn more about coffee in Singapore?
Wow! I didn't know there was so much steam (no pun intended) in the Sg coffee interest group. For me, I learn as I go. I do this through the internet, through books and through practical experience, which I advocate frequent practice. The more you drink, the better you get connected with coffee in the most direct form. The best part about these 'practice' sessions, is that, you can drink the fruits of your labour afterwards. Excellent deal!
pstam Senior Member Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 2,086 Location: Beijing Expertise: Professional
Espresso: ECM, SAN MARCO, EURO 2000 Grinder: MAZZER Vac Pot: YES Drip: YES Roaster: YES, HOME STYLE
Posted Tue Sep 30, 2008, 9:06am Subject: Re: Where can I learn more about coffee in Singapore?
It might be good for coffee lovers, but not enough for employees and business career.
Peter in Beijing ------------------- http://www.kaffa.cn/ ------------------- I have got a new website, just started to establish. If you have any question or suggestion, let me know and it is mostly appreciated.
csisfun Junior Member Joined: 4 Sep 2008 Posts: 19 Location: Singapore Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Tue Sep 30, 2008, 5:44pm Subject: Re: Where can I learn more about coffee in Singapore?
I don't think so. I suspect that's a very integral part of knowing coffee: the practical experience. Someone who does not appreciate, or know coffee well might have the best training ever, and he might produce coffee, but he would be limited by his disinterest or lack of real-world knowledge. See the part-timers at Starbucks, where one will feel the difference when there's little 'personal touch' but where training is provided. It's different.
pstam Senior Member Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 2,086 Location: Beijing Expertise: Professional
Espresso: ECM, SAN MARCO, EURO 2000 Grinder: MAZZER Vac Pot: YES Drip: YES Roaster: YES, HOME STYLE
Posted Tue Sep 30, 2008, 7:33pm Subject: Re: Where can I learn more about coffee in Singapore?
It does not have to mean those in *$s. If you started work as barista and not qualified yet, what your clients can respect from you? As a coffee lover, one may enjoy the procedure of learning, but not those of your clients in a cafe.
Peter in Beijing ------------------- http://www.kaffa.cn/ ------------------- I have got a new website, just started to establish. If you have any question or suggestion, let me know and it is mostly appreciated.
csisfun Junior Member Joined: 4 Sep 2008 Posts: 19 Location: Singapore Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Wed Oct 1, 2008, 12:16am Subject: Re: Where can I learn more about coffee in Singapore?
"*$s" is one of the few examples which I'm giving. Interestingly, they are not alone. And, given the coffee they serve, they still do command tremendous respect, oddly. A client's patronage, therefore, is not dependent wholly on the coffee.
I suspect this too: that people who started their coffee business started out as "coffee lovers", and that a driving passion for coffee was the motivating force for them to start a business, not so much the money. Do all these people, then, need to go through some form of training? Yes, I agree, they do. But how is do they get this "training"? Who qualifies them? Can they draw on their past experiences in coffee making as a hobbyist as a form of "training"? Why, yes. Certainly for one reason: there's no guarantee that professional training might get one anywhere. In fact, I would still advocate my argument that it's the hours spent making the coffee that makes good coffee. Not the one off training session which is not followed up with experience. Good knowledge charts the course that one will walk on, but it will not walk the route for him.
I do hope that I am not antagonising you, as I do respect your points which are very valid in their respect. Perhaps we could take this debate somewhere else instead of steering this thread off-track?
Damien Senior Member Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Singapore Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Feama
Posted Wed Oct 1, 2008, 12:39am Subject: Re: Where can I learn more about coffee in Singapore?
pstam Said:
It does not have to mean those in *$s. If you started work as barista and not qualified yet, what your clients can respect from you? As a coffee lover, one may enjoy the procedure of learning, but not those of your clients in a cafe.
A passionate and attentive person with some basic knowledge will pull a better shot than a disinterested but well-trained staff any day.
Proper training is just the means to an end, not the end itself. It is through the practice and passion of the person that his knowledge and skills will flourish. If one can enjoy the procedure of learning, than he will constantly seek out new knowledge that will improve his coffee skills, and that in the end will flow down to the clients in the cafe as well.
csisfun: So where do you take your coffee? Do you have a home set-up? maybe we can meet up one day and you can give me pointers.. hah
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