The Barista Survival Guide

Your first year behind the bar, minus the mistakes that usually take a year to learn.

Who this is for: new and first-year baristas, chain or indie, and anyone about to start. Who it is not for: cafe owners looking to systematize a shop (that is the Cafe SOP Pack) or ten-year veterans.

What is in the guide, 10 chapters, 90+ pages, instant PDF download:

• Surviving your first week, and memorizing drink builds fast
• Keeping your cool in a rush, and register flow that keeps the line moving
• Milk science that actually makes sense, and dialing in espresso
• Customer scripts for the hard moments, cleaning and closes
• Protecting your body on your feet, and turning the job into a career
• Drink build tables, dial-in checklists, and scripts you can screenshot and keep in your pocket
• Every technique cross-checked against SCA guidance and real cafe practice, no fluff, no filler

The math: a single in-person barista class typically costs several times this guide, and you cannot screenshot it during a rush. $24, written by working baristas.

If you have ever walked out of a closing shift wondering whether you are doing any of this right, this guide is the coworker who tells you the truth.

If it is not useful, reply to your receipt and we refund it, no forms.

Pre-launch ordering: the shop register opens soon; until then order this by invoice via the contact page with the product name as the subject. You will receive a PayPal or bank invoice and delivery within 2 business days of payment.

Goes well with: the Barista Cheat Sheet and Barista Pay by State. Related reading: 10 Things I Learned in My First Week at Starbucks.