Priya Nair
Head barista · Lead trainerRuns most courses. Latte art is her signature skill and she genuinely loves teaching it.
Hands-on courses · small groups
Learn to pull a proper shot in one morning
Practical barista training in our Shelley roastery. Small groups, real equipment, actual skills you can use Monday morning. No theory dumps, just coffee.
Training
Skills, not certificates
We teach the stuff that actually matters behind a counter: dialing in, milk texture, workflow and the confidence to fix problems fast.
0Students trained
0Course levels
0Max class size
0Would recommend
Learn on the machine we actually use
Most courses teach on equipment that does not match what you will use at work. We train on the same machines, grinders and beans we serve daily, so what you learn is what you will actually do.
Classes are capped at 8 people so everyone gets machine time. Our head barista Priya runs most courses, with help from the training team when groups are big.
- Small groups, max 8 students per class
- Real café equipment, not training rigs
- Take-home recipe cards and bean samples
- Private group sessions available for teams
Not happy with the course? Tell us within 7 days and we will refund you, no questions.
A Saturday class mid-practice
Courses
Pick your level
All prices include coffee, materials and a take-home bag of beans. GST included.
Basics
$120/person
Half-day intro for absolute beginners.
- 3-hour Saturday morning session
- Espresso pulling & dialing in
- Milk texturing basics
- Take-home beans + recipe card
Most booked
Intermediate
$220/person
Full day for people who can pull a shot but want better.
- 6-hour session, Sat or Sun
- Advanced dialing & profiles
- Latte art foundations
- Workflow & speed drills
Masterclass
$480/person
Two-day intensive for serious aspirants.
- 2 full days, small group
- Everything in intermediate
- Competition-level latte art
- Cupping & sensory training
Private group sessions for teams of 4+ available at custom rates. Gift vouchers available for all courses.
What to expect
How a course day runs
No slides, no lectures. You spend most of the time at the machine actually doing it.
1
Coffee and intros
We start with a proper flat white and quick intros. What everyone wants to learn, what their current setup is.
2
Dial in together
Group session on grind, dose and yield. Learn to taste sour vs bitter and fix it fast.
3
Milk practice
Texturing milk to glossy microfoam, the foundation of every milk drink. Oat milk included.
4
Build your drinks
Flat whites, lattes, cappuccinos. Workflow drills so you can keep up when it gets busy.
5
Latte art (intermediate+)
Pouring basics and how to fix common mistakes. Heart and rosetta for those who want them.
6
Take home goodies
Recipe card, bean sample, and the satisfaction of knowing you can do this at home.
Keep exploring
Training pairs with
Course life
Inside a training morning
Real machines, real milk, real mistakes. Everyone leaves able to pull a shot they are proud of.
Your instructors
Taught by people who do it daily
Instructors are working baristas, not career educators. They know what actually goes wrong on a busy Saturday.
Daniel Mercer
Founder · Coffee theoryJoins masterclasses for the deep-dive sessions on roasting, origins and why coffee tastes the way it does.
Marcus Lee
Barista · Assistant trainerHelps with milk practice and workflow drills. Patient, encouraging and never makes you feel dumb for asking.
Course questions
Before you book
For Basics, no. For Intermediate you should be able to pull a shot and steam milk, even badly. Masterclass assumes you have done intermediate or have equivalent experience.
Just yourself and closed-in shoes. We provide all equipment, coffee, milk and materials. Aprons available if you want one to keep.
Basics runs Saturday mornings, Intermediate Saturday or Sunday, Masterclass first weekend of each month. Private group sessions scheduled by arrangement.
Yes, gift vouchers available for all levels. Contact us with the recipient's preferred level and date and we will sort it out.
Life happens. Give us 48 hours notice and we will move you to the next available course or refund you, whichever you prefer.
Your flat white era starts Saturday
Pick a level, pick a date, and we will see you at the machine. Questions about which course suits you? Ask us.
+61 3 9527 1049 · cassinova24@gmail.com
Compare
Us vs other training options
What you get for your money at a specialty roastery vs a generic course.
| What you get | Cassinova training | Other courses |
|---|---|---|
| Class size | Max 8 students | Often 12–20 |
| Equipment | Same machines we use daily | Training rigs or home machines |
| Instructors | Working baristas | Career trainers |
| Coffee included | Yes, plus take-home beans | Sometimes extra |
| Price | $120–$480 | $80–$400 (varies) |