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Permalink Reply by Jason Shipley on January 26, 2009 at 1:49pm

There isn't much around here as far as organized schools, we do a lot of in cafe training and start up type stuff. You're only about an hour and a half from us, I'd be willing to let you behind our bar and have you work with our trainer Jenna, if in return you brought back some samples of our coffees for your owner.

Jason

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Permalink Reply by Jesse Bladyka on January 26, 2009 at 2:22pm

I did a brief stint in Madison, WI and although I never partook, I know the shop I worked for sent baristi to Alterra in Milwaukee for extensive training. They're a great company, super nice folks, and have the infrastructure to really train. It might be worth contacting them.

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Permalink Reply by Denise Smith on January 26, 2009 at 5:48pm

Not all training is held at schools... some come to you. Ask if there are any trainers that can come to your shop in the Great Lakes region. There are a number of reasonably priced and highly qualified 'mobil' trainers and they can train your whole crew at the same time.

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Permalink Reply by michael Phillips on January 26, 2009 at 6:10pm

The GLCA just held a regional jam in October that was a good learning event in Chicago. Industry events like that and the upcoming coffeefest/great lakes regional/millrock in feb are great to give you a boost and teach you a few tricks, but to be honest I would Leary of any training program that insinuates it can do a heck of a lot to bump up your skills inside of a day or two. Try to find quality shops that will let you come work bar for a week or two, perhaps head waaay out of town on a coffee road trip stopping at shops with a good rep and asking a lot of questions. Some of the best baristas I know are highly nomadic. Traveling around to learn and taste the diversity of the coffee world is the best education you can get hands down.

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Permalink Reply by Tamara Vigil on January 27, 2009 at 12:32pm

I've learned soooo much volunteering at barista competitions. you can start by volunteering and networking with other coffee peeps. If you feel comfortable enough you can sign up to judge and that is also an awesome learning experience, you get to calibrate with other coffee professionals. Even watching the competitors and talking to them, asking them why they use certain techniques is another great way to expand your barista skills.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Dominy on January 27, 2009 at 12:57pm

I recommend Alterra.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Haeger on January 27, 2009 at 8:49pm

This is what I was thinking. Of course, this is what I do, so I guess I would think that.

Not to throw out a self-serving plug, but if you're interested, you can always contact me. If not, then disregard this message.
Denise Smith said:

Not all training is held at schools... some come to you. Ask if there are any trainers that can come to your shop in the Great Lakes region. There are a number of reasonably priced and highly qualified 'mobil' trainers and they can train your whole crew at the same time.

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