idk if its standard for training or not, bc my trainer didn’t do it for me, but drill every cup size and its pump/shot requirements into every greenie’s brain. i found that this was the most effective way to get someone used to the names and standards. this was especially true because for a while, my greenie didn’t know americanos got an extra shot.. so i had to retrain them even though they were certified

anyway, i would pull them to the side, and point to a random cup on the cup holder thing, and ask them what it was called. this went on until they seemed comfortable calling out the names of the cups. then it was me pointing to random cups, and asking how many shots go in it. then i’d start throwing in “if it was an americano?”, “if it was 1/2 caff?”, mixing it up until they were fairly comfortable with that. then the same thing, just with the syrups.

after that, i’d give em a fake drink, and make them show me the cup size i called out and tell me what went into the cup. if they got the shot number wrong or something, i would correct them, and then move on. i don’t find it useful to stare at them until they answer me correctly (my trainer did that to me, ugh), i feel like thats anxiety inducing!!

also, tell them to make practice drinks and look at the recipe cards! i don’t care how long a customer has to wait for their drinks as long as the product comes out looking and tasting correct. i will gladly tell the customer they can go somewhere else if they can’t wait lol. but i worked for a license store in a bad area so i was used to dealing with literal aggressive crackheads as customers and kinda just had to have some edge to tone or they’d try to mess with me

One thing I love to do (when it’s not busy) is to have the trainee type in random beverages. Go around and have other baristas list off random beverages. Usually we go off the regulars orders (venti Americano with 1/3 steamed 2%, grande drinks in venti cups) and random things we can think of. It helps with familiarity with the menu and also how fast some people list off their order. Also as a plus, it’s fun for baristas and an nice icebreaker/ get to know you type sitch for everyone.

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