Emma the Barista is Back, Baby!

Long blacks and piccolos in the arvo (Australian for afternoon).

It’s been 3 weeks since I started my new job as a barista and I’m finally getting the hang of making coffee on the other side of the road. Oh wait, that’s driving! Anyway, I’m thrilled to be back behind a coffee machine.

The soft hum of milk being frothed, the smell of a freshly cut bag of coffee beans, and the satisfied smile on a customer’s face after the first sip. Baristas experience these sensations everywhere; I felt them at Scout, my first ever coffee shop job, and now I feel them in Australia. In my new home, making coffee is my safe space.

One aspect of my job that gives me pleasure is latte art. This is a skill that takes time, practice, and a steady hand. At first, I was horrible. Well, horrible at making anything recognizable. If you wanted a blob on your latte, I was your girl. But with determination, persistence, and lots of YouTube videos, I finally got the hang of it.

Latte art provides joy and satisfaction for the barista, however it also lets the customer know we care. I was worried that I had forgotten everything when I got to my new job. But it only took a few pours to get back into the rythmn of it. Here are a few of my favourite ones.

Another aspect of my job that brings me joy is talking to customers. I enjoyed it back at Scout with all of our regulars, notably a 93 year-old man named Al who became a friend, and I have enjoyed it here. Most of the time it’s my accent that piques people’s interest but the conversations are always stimulating for both sides. I’ve met a slew of South Africans, a population with a large presence in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, tons of tourists, and loads of locals stumbling upon the cafe for the first time.

While the basic principle of my job is transactional, I find that most of the time, people are simply looking to feel seen and heard. If that means I have to remake their drink five times, then I’ll do it with pleasure. If that means listening to someone share their life story, then I’ll open my ears and honour them. As long as I can bring a smile to one persons’ face each day, I’ll be a happy human.