Elke’s Brewing with Confidence Following Part-time Barista Course
Adult learner Elke Pollard is putting her skills into practice at Eastbourne bakery, To The Rise Bakery, after completing the Barista Skills Level 2 Award at East Sussex College.
Elke enrolled on the course to further develop her expertise and enhance her confidence in a busy hospitality environment. Now working as a barista at the popular local bakery, she is using the skills gained at college every day to deliver high-quality coffee and excellent customer service.
Speaking about her current role, Elke said, “At the moment my role at To The Rise Bakery is front of house, serving customers pastries, bread and beverages to take away but also for a limited number of customers to sit in.”
Elke chose to return to learning to strengthen her technical knowledge and refine her practical skills behind the coffee machine.
“Hot drinks are very popular and ‘To The Rise bakery’ is recognised for its excellent coffees,” said Elke. “I assumed that the preparation of the coffee was important but as the day is fast paced there is really no time to have taught me the art properly. I wanted to be of greater value as an employee and be of greater help when the bakery is very busy.
“I was hoping to improve my confidence in my work by gaining a thorough understanding of coffee with all its ins and outs, so that I could not only produce the best product but also troubleshoot when something went wrong.”
The Barista Skills Level 2 Award offers industry-relevant training, from espresso extraction and milk texturing to customer service and workflow efficiency - all essential skills in today’s competitive hospitality sector.
Reflecting on what she learned, Elke shared, “I learned to really pay attention to what I’m doing, be it how to serve the customer best or how to prepare the best cup of coffee by calibrating the grinder, by steaming milk for different requirements or mixing up the perfect hot chocolate.”
One of the biggest impacts of the course has been the confidence Elke has developed in her role.
“Doing this course brought not just a new level of enjoyment but also boosted my confidence. I feel greater pride now serving that perfect cup.”
Returning to education as an adult can feel like a big step, but Elke found the experience both supportive and rewarding.
“It was a little daunting to begin with as I hadn’t sat for an exam in a long long time, but Ollie our tutor was so supportive, very clear in his presentations and so approachable when I had questions.”
By refining her technique and deepening her understanding of coffee preparation, Elke has seen the benefits not only in her own performance but also in the experience she provides to customers.
“Customers noticed that I graduated to making coffee and gave me the thumbs up which of course made me more enthusiastic.”
Her journey highlights how adult courses at East Sussex College help hospitality professionals upskill, progress, and thrive within their industry.
When asked what she would say to others considering further training, Elke said, “I would absolutely recommend upskilling. It is fun to learn something new, gives confidence and is so valuable to the business. My colleagues at To The Rise Bakery really appreciate my new level of skill and enthusiasm.”
The Barista Skills Level 2 Award at East Sussex College supports both aspiring and experienced hospitality professionals to develop practical, industry-standard skills in a professional training environment.
The course runs for around four weeks, giving learners the chance to practise in the professional bar area at Kings Restaurant. This hands-on experience ensures students gain the confidence and expertise needed to excel in busy hospitality settings.
To find out more about adult courses at East Sussex College, visit:
adult.escg.ac.uk/courses/catering-hospitality/hospitality/barista-skills-level-2-award-87649/