Jump-start your java-brewing finesse by joining Barista Bootcamp.
The next the three Saturdays -- December 12, 19, and 26, 2015 -- the sleek and oh-so-serious coffee bar Lickety Split in Orlando's Four Seasons hotel invites the coffee-crazed to enhance their skills.
I tried the class. It's fun, but also educational -- as it should be with a $75 price tag.
Manager Allison Burkard gathers to the group around the restaurant's equipment. There, she teaches specifics about espresso, latte, and cappuccino-making techniques. By specifics, I mean specific specifics -- such as where to place the steam bar in the coffee cup and at what angle, how long to hold it there, how to keep the steamed milk creamy while you then brew the coffee, and how to pour the steamed milk over the coffee just right.
After the demonstration, each participant works with a professional barista to brew four cups apiece--two cappuccinos and two lattes. Want to drink all four? They're yours to enjoy.
But do save some caffeine capacity for the finale. Once you've mastered the art of creating hot drinks, you'll learn all about cold-brewed ones -- which, we were told, are way more potent since they brew for hours instead of seconds.
Lickety-Split has a handy antidote. Simply have your cold-brewed coffee mixed with a liqueur and gelato, and then dole out toppings at your pleasure.
Barista Bootcamp is part of the Four Seasons' Entertain U(niversity). Sessions are held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Reserve your Barista Bootcamp spot at 407.313.6161.
Eat enthusiastically,
Rona