hi y'all this is my first post here, I just finished my third training shift (I am a green bean??) and I'm completely lost... I can't memorize the shots of espresso/pumps for the life of me, and even taking orders is extremely difficult for me and I'm so slow... there are no flash cards with recipes so I have to memorize all of the drinks?? my store is so so busy so my trainer has just been saying what she's doing out loud because I'm too slow to actually make them. I want to do well, any tips would be greatly appreciated!
KeatsBrightStar18218 points4y ago
Pro-tip from a someone that's not a pro: You aren't going to memorize everything in 3 days. Training on a computer is not the same as making drinks, and its going to take you some time to become comfortable with everything. You are going to mess up, but its going okay. I've been a partner for 4 months and I JUST learned the correct amount of shots that go into an americano, and that's on of the easiest drinks to make. It will take you forever to find the buttons to take an order, and you will spend at least a minute looking for the correct button to heat up a crossaint. Its okay. No one is good at it when they first start. And you will get upset, and other people will get upset, but it will be fine. You will learn, and one day, a few weeks from now, you'll remember that time you dropped a sandwhich in the middle of peak and smile because of how far you've come. And if you have good partners, they will have your back when you are stuck, frustrated, or completely lost. And don't worry about shitty customers. You'll definitely have more kind and patient ones who will smile at you and tell you you're doing a good job. Good luck! You're doing fine:)
nora_the_explorur5 points4y ago
Ok for the pump thing say this in your head for each pump of syrup as you go: "Pump" (1) "Short" (2) "Tall" (3) "Grande" (4) "Venti" (5) "Iced" (6) (iced venti gets one more than hot) "Trenta" (7)
Try to learn the rules for what makes drinks similar. For example, pumps and scoops for contents of frappuccinos follows 2 3 4. Say the sequence in your head, like 1 1 (short, tall) 2 2 (grande venti) 3 (iced venti) shots. Or, drinks with iced tea get liquid cane sugar. Hopefully you can practice making drinks when it's slow and focus on one or two categories (e.g. espresso drinks). There should be a resource, either flash cards or on the store computer/ipad, to look at recipes.
miyaalyse4 points4y ago
Have your trainer make cups with the recipes on them!
MimiRoo2212 points4y ago
The shifts and partners at my store have been overall pretty terrific and supportive on this steep learning curve of being a green bean-I’m two and a half months in and not doing bar yet. We’re a busy store and it’s hard work learning the rhythms of various tasks even with the cards for each station. You’ll find the folks who are good teachers, and encouragers, and listen for the helpful tips from them all. That’s how I’m learning, even if it’s too slow to my taste or theirs. Learning takes time, a frustrating fact of life.
flynnnigan82 points4y ago
It'll take you about 6 months to be comfortable in all positions... but don't let that discourage you. It's a lot to learn and training isn't enough. Just as a lot of questions and your partners **should** be happy to help, with the exception of if you have anyone with a stick constantly up their ...
ReneeZeLe2 points4y ago
They may not have physical cards, but the ipads should have the recipe cards on them for you to look over. Idk about your store but mine has shots and syrup pump indicaters on the machines. Also getting fast takes time be a little more patient with your self, yes you wanna get things out quickly but you have to remember its just coffee.
alymiller97 [OP]1 points4y ago
Also, what happens during the shifts after training ends? Are you left on your own?
ReneeZeLe2 points4y ago
No, your team should support you and pretty much any one at your store will be able to answer any questions you have. They want you to build up your skill, but they aren't gonna leave you to drown.
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