Learning about specialty coffee with Pro Baristas

As I kick off my new venture with Coffee Kick Collective, I want to share a bit about what it has been like jumping into the world of specialty coffee. I’ve always loved coffee (ask anyone who knows me…), but I’m now diving deeper to make sure I can serve up the best drinks possible to my new customers.

A significant part of this journey has been guided by my coffee bean supplier and roaster, Pelicano, who have been instrumental in helping me hone my skills and understand coffee better. They are making sure I know exactly how to treat the coffee beans they supply me with, and they are supporting me to create a signature blend for Coffee Kick Collective. More on Pelicano another time…

Today I want to tell you about Pro Baristas.

Discovering Pro Baristas

As soon as I started talking about Coffee Kick Collective, new doors started to open. One of the first things mentioned to me at a BIPC networking event was a project called Pro Baristas - a project which operates under the One Church banner in Brighton. This project is dedicated to training and supporting individuals who want to build satisfying careers in specialty coffee - particularly those who might not typically have access to opportunities.

Pro Baristas not only offers barista training but also creates pathways for individuals from diverse backgrounds to enter the specialty coffee scene. They actively match trainees with employers, providing mentorship and business advice along the way. This initiative addresses the challenges coffee shops face in terms of staff turnover, skill gaps, and the often-overlooked expense of training. More importantly, it supports people who might struggle otherwise to build their skills and confidence, supporting them into work experience and employment.

When I heard about all of this I made it a priority to meet the team behind the project and find out more and I can say that a highlight of my experience in coffee so far has been meeting the people at Pro Baristas.

The impact of Pro Baristas

I enrolled onto their Streamline course, an AQA accredited program that delves deep into coffee - covering everything from its origins to the techniques behind making exceptional coffee (and even cleaning up after a shift!). I did this not only to learn and practice, but also to start building community in the Brighton coffee space.

What I’ve seen is that their courses not only equip learners with essential barista skills but also focus on igniting a passion for the craft. This really struck me - the degree to which the project takes pride in what it does, and how it encourages trainees to take pride in getting all of the little steps right in order to produce a genuinely excellent cup of coffee. Trainers, Xavier and Kate, are knowledgeable, kind and engaging and they are keen to get the best out of everyone.

There is a commitment to developing both hard and soft skills. They cultivate an environment that encourages mistakes - and therefore solid learning - and they cover the importance of customer service as much as they do making the perfect espresso.

Get involved

If you’re interested in coffee and want to expand your skills, I highly encourage you to visit the Pro Baristas website and sign up for one of their courses. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your expertise, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant community.

As I head towards the official launch of Coffee Kick Collective, I remain very excited to share the journey with you and bring you some exceptional coffee experiences from April 2026 onwards.