gail's top 20 tips for aspiring baristas
With years of hands-on experience in coffee—training baristas, running workshops, home brewing, and everything in between—Gail Henshall has a wealth of barista tips and tricks up her sleeve.
Beyond learning the essentials like dialling in your recipe, here she shares her top 20 tips to help those new to the craft, save time, improve workflow, boost efficiency, and most importantly, serve better coffee—helpful whether you’re behind a busy espresso machine or perfecting your craft at home.
mastering milk
1. use the best quality milk and alternative milk you can get your hands on—a higher fat & protein content will create stable and glossy microfoam
2. use cold steaming pitchers and cold milk—the colder they are, the more time you have to steam silky milk
3. when practicing latte art, take a used coffee puck, mix with a little water and use as a base for practice
4. replace milk with cold water and a few drops of washing up liquid, steam and practice your pours
winning workflow
5. on the bar, separate your order and coffee delivery points for better customer flow
6. if your decaf is pre-ground, portion it into individual resealable pots to save time throughout the day
7. busy rush? write the order on your cups with a sharpie and line them up
8. communicate with your team for a smooth, coordinated workflow
quintessential quality
9. knock spent pucks out of the portafilter baskets immediately after every brew
10. use a dry cloth to clean your baskets after every shot—avoid using a brush
11. keep your (empty) group handles in the group heads at all times—not on the drip tray—for better temperature control
12. empty your hopper every night, wipe it down and reseal your coffee to keep it fresh
clever cleaning
13. clean as you go—customers taste with their eyes
14. when soaking portafilters, keep the rubber group handles away from the detergent to prevent long-term damage
15. use colour-coded cloths for your steam wand, drip tray and countertop—and rinse them throughout the day
16. invest in a jug rinser to keep pitchers clean and cold between servings
standout service
17. get to know your regulars and their orders
18. be confident behind the bar—know your recipes, own your space, and trust your skills
19. turn “waiting” time into an opportunity to engage with your customers
20. a smile is always welcome and goes a long way
Barista work is fast-paced, but with a little organisation, attention to detail, and a love for great coffee, you’ll not only make better drinks—you’ll create a better experience for everyone who walks through the door.
Gail Henshall is Head of Sales at Bell Lane Coffee Roasters. If you’re a wholesaler looking to start a conversation with Bell Lane, reach out to Gail at gail@belllane.ie or request a callback here.
