Barista Training
Become a Professional Barista in 5 Days
The complete journey from beginner to job-ready. 10 modules across 5 days on real commercial machines. Small groups — max 8, average ~3. Australian standards. No experience needed. Taught by Tristan Creswick — the only Australian AST in Southeast Asia.
Barista Skills That Actually Pay
Time to Skill — The Honest Numbers
Every barista skill has a real, measurable time cost. We publish ours because anyone comparing courses should be able to check where the hands-on hours actually go. Ask any academy to show you exactly what happens in each hour of their course — then compare.
| Skill | Honest time | What you can genuinely do afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| Basic espresso skills | 2–3 hours | Pull a balanced shot within a recipe window and diagnose under vs over-extraction by taste |
| Milk steaming | ~2 hours | Texture milk to standard — glossy, no visible bubbles — by sound and feel |
| Pouring + first love heart | 2–3 hours | Manage foam through the pour and free-pour a recognisable love heart |
| Full cafe menu | One afternoon | Build every standard espresso-based drink — it is ratios, not new skills |
| Cafe-ready workflow | Two to three days | Speed, consistency and multi-order service under pressure |
“You don't know what you don't know. If you want to know what an orange tastes like, you have to eat an orange — you can't read about it, and you can't listen to someone describe it. Coffee is the same. Theory is everything in this industry, and it is completely useless until you have tasted it, poured it and felt it yourself. Every concept in our courses starts with you doing it — not us talking about it.”
— Cottle Academy teaching philosophy
Compare & Book
The perfect starting point. No experience needed.
- BAR-101: Espresso Fundamentals
- BAR-102: Latte Art 1 — Love Heart
- BAR-103: Cafe Menu + Filter Brewing
- BAR-104: Australian Cafe Level 1
- BONUS: Opening & Closing SOP
- BONUS: Machine Maintenance
For Fundamentals graduates. Level up to intermediate.
- BAR-201: Dialing In — The Blend
- BAR-202: Latte Art 2 — Tulip & Rosetta
- BAR-203: Dialing In — Brazil
- BAR-204: Australian Cafe Level 2
- BAR-301: Dialing In — Ethiopia
- BAR-302: Filter Brewing Fundamentals
The full journey. Beginner to professional in 5 days.
- All 10 modules across 5 days
- Days 1-2: Beginner (BAR-101–104)
- Days 3-4: Intermediate (BAR-201–204)
- Day 5: Advanced (BAR-301, 302)
- Certificate: Complete Barista
Book Any Module Separately
Build your own path. Each module is a complete 3-hour session. Book one, or stack them into a full course later.
Australian Barista Career Coaching
Heading to Australia? Add a 2 hour private session with Tristan. Resume workshop, mock interviews, job search strategy, and insider knowledge on what Aussie cafe managers actually look for.
Global CredentialThe SCA Credential That Travels
An SCA certificate is not a piece of paper — it is a passport. Recognised by employers and coffee institutions in 70+ countries, it tells the world you trained to an international standard. Whether you are applying for a visa-sponsored barista role in Melbourne, a specialty cafe in London, or a roastery in Singapore, this credential opens doors.
SCA Barista FoundationYour first step into the global coffee community. Covers espresso preparation, milk technique, and cafe hygiene to SCA standards. Perfect if you are building a Coffee Diploma.
SCA Barista IntermediateThe level that separates hobbyists from professionals. Deep dive into extraction science, advanced milk texturing, workflow efficiency, and customer service. Required for AST pathway.
SCA Foundation + IntermediateThe smartest way to build your Coffee Diploma. Book both levels together, save RM399, and walk away with both certifications — enough to unlock the Professional level and put you on the path to becoming an SCA Authorized Trainer.
SCA Barista ProfessionalThe pinnacle of the SCA Barista pathway. Advanced sensory calibration, production workflow optimisation, training methodology, and business operations. Required to become an SCA Authorized Trainer (AST).
Go Beyond the Basics
Specialist skills that set you apart in any coffee environment. Plus dedicated latte art sessions from Love Heart to Seahorse.
Launch Your Coffee Business
Everything you need to open your doors. From concept to launch, guided by 27 years of industry experience.
+ Website Design — RM1,000
+ Website Design — RM1,000
Become a Barista Trainer
Learn to plan, facilitate and assess barista education. For experienced baristas ready to teach the next generation.
From Our Graduates
Barista Training Questions
Which course should I start with?
Most people start with the Australian Barista Fundamentals (RM999). No experience needed. If you want the full professional pathway, book the 5-Day Complete Course (RM3,490) directly.
Can I add SCA certification later?
Yes. Most barista courses offer SCA certification as an add-on. You can also book SCA Foundation (RM1,499) or Intermediate (RM2,799) separately after completing your practical training.
Do I need my own equipment?
No. All equipment, coffee beans, and milk are provided. You will train on professional espresso machines and grinders — the same equipment used in quality cafes.
What is the class size?
Maximum 8 students per barista cohort (average ~3). This guarantees hands-on time with the machine and individual feedback from the trainer.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes. All courses include a Cottle Academy certificate. SCA certification is available as an add-on for courses that include the official SCA exam.
Can I book individual modules instead of a full course?
Yes — all 10 modules are available as standalone sessions. However, most students save significantly by bundling into a 2-Day, 3-Day, or 5-Day course.
Who teaches the courses?
Head Trainer Beatrice leads day-to-day barista instruction. Academy Director Tristan meets every student personally and runs selected courses directly.
Ready to Train?
Small groups fill fast. Book your spot or ask us anything on WhatsApp.
Questions? Ask on WhatsApp →