Curriculum
Professional Barista Certification (5 weeks)
The BDBS Barista Certification program is a complete immersion into all things coffee and tea! Our Barista Trainees are provided with complete exposure and skill development for preparing exceptional coffee and teas of the world.
Participants in this course will emerge with the confidence and ability to expertly manage the busiest espresso bar in any independent third wave coffee bar.
SCA Education
As Michigan's only Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) certified premier campus, we're excited to offer you their newly minted Coffee Skills Training program!
INDIVIDUAL COURSES | TOPICAL TUESDAYS
Interested in sharpening your skills in a particular area? Whether you're a home brewer looking to expand your coffee/tea knowledge, or an industry pro interested in honing your craft, we've got you covered.
Retail cafÉ training
Hey Café Owners! Are you seeking training for new staff, on boarding, general professional barista skills? Our Certified baristas, instructors, and coffee specialists will work with you to design a program that’s custom-tailored to your unique business demands. Send one, a few or the whole crew, we’ll have them ready to go in a short window!
BDBS operates a Barista Café which is open to the office buildings tenants and public where industry candidates can hone their personal skills. This is an instructor guided, donation only environment wherein individuals can practice without the pressure associated in full a retail operations.
Curriculum at a glance
CLASSROOM SEMINARS
Three (3) Hour sessions; instruction on many topical aspects of “third wave” store operations. Note: All classes include demonstration and ‘hands-on’ participation.
FLAVOR WHEEL INTRODUCTION
Sensory analysis and associated lexicon for personal palate development
SKILL PRACTICUM
Hands-on skill development, topical quizzes, and virtual barista tours
INDUSTRY TOURS
Visits to local cafes, roasters, and industry specialists
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Hands-on barista skill development including: espresso extraction, milk steaming, drink building, and latte art
CLASSROOM SESSIONS
COFFEE 101
POUR OVER 101
TEA 101
COLD BREW
BREWING ESSENTIALS
SEED-TO-CUP
GUEST EXPERIENCE
FLAVOR WHEEL/SENSORY LEXICON
POINT-OF-SALE TOOLS
MENU DEVELOPMENT
FOOD SAFETY
EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT
HANDS-ON SESSIONS
ESPRESSO EXTRACTION
MILK STEAMING
DRINK BUILDING
LATTE ART
POUR OVER-METHODS
SENSORY ANALYSIS
CUPPING
SPECIALTY BEVERAGES - TURKISH COFFEE
SPECIALTY BEVERAGES - CHAI