Coffee Classes and Barista Training FAQ
Looking for coffee classes, latte art lessons, barista training, or a barista certificate in New York City? This guide answers the questions people actually ask about learning coffee skills and about Procreate Coffee NYC. For upcoming dates, check the booking options on the individual class pages. You can also try the class calendar, but it is a legacy feature and the class pages are the better source if the calendar ever stops cooperating.
Procreate Coffee is an independent, unaffiliated barista training studio in Brooklyn. Classes are practical, hands-on, and built around the students who show up—usually a mix of people planning businesses, becoming baristas, improving their home setup, or just doing something fun.
Booking and payment
How do I get started? What is the best way to sign up and pay?
The easiest way is through the website. Start with All Classes to see what is currently available and the current prices. When you find something you like, open the class page to see the available dates and times, choose the one that works for you, click Book Now, and complete payment through checkout. Include your phone number and verify your email is up to date and accurate. If we ever need to contact you about the class, we will use the email and phone number provided during checkout.
Everything you need to make the decision—class options, descriptions, dates, times, availability, pricing, booking, and payment—is available there. You can sign up whenever you are ready without waiting for approval from us.
Our social media exists, but it is not monitored, so we may never see a message sent there. For ordinary questions about what is available, which dates are open, what a class costs, or how to book, please use the website rather than calling, emailing, or trying to contact us through social media. The website is the most current information and the best way for us to keep the booking process simple for everyone.
Quick answers
- Classes, dates, prices, booking, and payment: All Classes
- Location: 158 27th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232
- Best first class: Barista Basics
- Most popular date class: Latte Art Intro
- Professional training: 30-hour weekday or 3-day weekend certificate course
- Experience required: none
- Email: for specific situations described below, not for routine questions about classes, dates, prices, or booking
- Social media: it exists, but it is not monitored for class questions
About Procreate Coffee
What is Procreate Coffee NYC?
Procreate Coffee is an independent coffee education and barista training studio in Brooklyn, New York. We teach coffee lovers, home baristas, aspiring and working baristas, coffee shop teams, business owners, private groups, and people who simply want to try something new.
Is Procreate Coffee a café?
No. It is primarily a training studio rather than a walk-in café. If you appear at a random time, there may literally be nobody there or anywhere close.
Who usually takes the classes?
Most classes are a mix. One student may want to open a coffee business, another may be preparing to work as a barista, another may own an espresso machine at home, and another may be there purely for fun. That mix is normal and useful: people bring different goals and questions, creating a deeper learning experience for all.
Do I need previous barista experience?
No. All classes are designed to accommodate beginners. We meet experienced students at their current skill level and can absolutely help them build on and refine their skills. Private classes are also available for people who want something special—dedicated time with an instructor, a class tailored to their interests, a birthday or other gift, a private group experience, or simply more individual attention.
What does “Not Third Wave. Your Wave.” mean?
The class is centered on your progress, not on proving that there is only one correct coffee identity. Our instructors teach the techniques they have found most useful through experience, but there is no single correct way to do everything. You should leave with a strong, high-quality foundation you can adapt and update as you learn more. There is not one correct way to make coffee, and we encourage you to continue collecting new techniques and practice making informed choices while developing your own approach.
Who founded Procreate Coffee?
Jessa Winn started Procreate Coffee in 2013 and remains closely involved in the business, although she does not usually teach classes anymore. She is AuDHD, and you might notice.. she's a bit socially awkward 😅 Those are not incidental details: Procreate was built to work for many kinds of people, not only organized, confident, Type A personalities who already know how to move through professional training spaces.
Why is Procreate so flexible about different students?
Because learning coffee should not require performing one approved personality. The business was intentionally designed to welcome people with different goals, communication styles, bodies, brains, experience levels, and definitions of success. We take the work seriously without expecting everyone to learn, communicate, or behave the same way.
SCA standards and Procreate training
What is the SCA?
The Specialty Coffee Association, or SCA, develops widely used coffee standards, research, professional education, and certificate pathways. Its standards create shared language and methods for quality, consistency, equipment, brewing, sensory evaluation, professional skills, and other parts of the coffee industry.
Are Procreate classes SCA certificate courses?
No. Procreate is independent and unaffiliated, and its regular classes do not award SCA certificates.
Do I need an SCA Certificate to open a coffee shop or work as a barista?
Nope. You do not need SCA certification to make excellent coffee, become a barista, open a coffee shop, or to take coffee seriously.
If you're starting with little or no experience, we usually recommend beginning with practical, hands on training. You can always specialize in formal SCA standards later, once you know which parts of coffee you want to explore more deeply.
Read the full guide to SCA education and Procreate Coffee training.
Choosing the right coffee class
Which class should a complete beginner take first?
Barista Basics is the broadest beginner starting point. The three-hour class introduces espresso equipment, beginner espresso technique, milk steaming, and the first steps of latte art.
Which class should I take to learn latte art?
Latte Art Intro is a two-hour beginner class focused on espresso, milk steaming, and three foundational designs: the heart, tulip, and rosetta. You can take it without Barista Basics, although the two classes complement each other.
Which classes work well for fun, dates, or special occasions?
Any class can be taken just for fun, but people often choose Latte Art Intro or a private class for dates, birthdays, gifts, and other special occasions. A small, not-very-secret secret: when you book two or more Latte Art Intro spots, you receive 15% off.
Should I take Barista Basics and Latte Art Intro together?
They work very well together. Barista Basics develops the espresso and milk foundation; Latte Art Intro gives you more focused pouring practice. The Barista Basics and Latte Art Intro bundle also receives 15% off.
Which class is best for a home barista?
Barista Basics is the best all around starting point for understanding espresso equipment, extraction, milk steaming, and drink preparation. Add Latte Art Intro if pouring designs is a priority. Choose a private class when you want focused help with a particular machine or technique.
We won't go to your house, but you can actually bring in your own equipment. Not everyone wants to carry their espresso machines and grinders all around town, but we can absolutely work with your equipment if you do show up with it. You should definitely email us first, though, to find out if it's necessary or recommended in your situation.
Which course is best if I want to work in a café?
Both certificate courses cover essentially the same material. Choose the 30-Hour Weekday Barista Certificate Course if you have more time and want more hands-on practice and further skill development. Choose the 3-Day Weekend Coffee Training Certificate Course if you are short on time, unavailable during the week, exploring coffee work, or do not expect to use barista skills as extensively.
What is the difference between the 30-hour weekday course and the 3-day weekend course?
The subject matter is very much the same. The weekday course runs Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes 12 more hours of hands-on practice and further development. It is useful for students who have the time and want to build their skills more deeply. The weekend course runs Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is the compressed option for people with less time or a less intensive need for barista skills. Both weekday and weekend course cohorts are often a mix of future baristas, business owners, home baristas, and people taking the course for personal interest. No one will think you're weird if you're just coming for fun. I promise!
Can you tell me which class to book?
Please use this guide/FAQ and the class descriptions to make your decision. If you want a focused introduction or a fun experience, choose a short class. If you want substantial repetition, café workflow, and deeper skill development, choose a certificate course. We encourage you to use the class descriptions to choose the class that best fits your time, budget, and goals.
Is there a coffee roasting class?
Yes. Roasting is, in many ways, a different business from preparing coffee as a barista. Introduction to Roasting is taught by Justin, an SCA-certified professional roaster. He covers green coffee, roasting theory, small-roaster safety, roast stages, roast curves, and the effects of temperature, airflow, and time.
The class is designed to give baristas, business owners, home baristas, and curious people a more knowledgeable base and helps explain some of the mystery behind the enormous impact roasting itself can have on the coffee you're drinking right now. It is not meant to prepare someone to become a commercial production roaster. Students learn on the Hive roaster, and can take home coffee roasted during the session.
If you have asthma or any similar conditions, please be aware coffee in general, and coffee roasting in particular, can be hard on sensitive lungs.
Can I learn about opening or running a coffee shop?
Yes. The programs can overlap a little, but they are not interchangeable. The certificate programs teach barista skills and café operations, including equipment, workflow, service, drink preparation, cleanliness, and opening and closing procedures. Coffee Shop Ownership 101 focuses specifically on opening and operating the business. Andrew brings years of experience helping coffee shops get started and offers a distinct perspective on the project sequence, site and lease decisions, equipment and utilities, specialist coordination, costs, and operational risks.
Can I book a private coffee class?
Yes. A Private Class at Procreate can follow the Barista Basics plan or focus on espresso, latte art, menu drinks, home equipment, business questions, or another clear goal. A standard private reservation includes two people; current pricing for additional participants appears on the booking page. You can also Zelle the appropriate amount when you have a final headcount.
I don't see a time that works with my schedule. Can I request a different day or time?
Yes. If you would like to request a class at a different time than what you see provided, email info@procreatecoffee.com with your preferred day and time and we will check with our instructors to confirm availability. Private classes can generally be arranged with relatively short notice. Group classes require 2 weeks to make the class visible on the schedule and allow time for other students to sign up. If you would like to request a specific week or weekend for one of the courses we offer, we may be able to accommodate the timing of the course for the upcoming month depending on whether we have already released the schedule. If we can't accommodate the upcoming month's schedule we can try for the following month.
Does Procreate provide training for coffee shop staff?
Yes. Procreate can provide training for your coffee shop and staff. After years of being in the business, we highly encourage you to send your staff to our studio for training. It removes distractions and you'll receive much better results. The change of environment, different machines, and dedicated learning space all work in your favor, and your baristas will return with a renewed interest in the craft.
You and your staff can all come together by booking a private class with the appropriate amount of extra people factored in, or you can send staff individually or in groups to any of our regularly scheduled classes. Sending your employee for training can be a sincere way to demonstrate an interest in their development as a barista and show you appreciate their hard work.
You can let us know at the beginning of a private class if you have specific standards set for your shop, or email us ahead of time if you're sending staff on their own so we can make an effort to explain material relevant to your shop.
Does Procreate host corporate events?
Yes. Procreate provides hands on coffee experiences for private teams and corporate groups. We do not provide catering. Events can take place at the Brooklyn studio or at an outside venue. For an inquiry, email info@procreatecoffee.com with your estimated headcount, preferred date, location, timing, goals, and approximate budget. For events at your location, include what equipment you have or if you will need us to provide it. From there, we can begin with what you want to spend and recommend a realistic format.
If the event is to be held offsite and you require us to provide equipment, events will cost substantially more. Keep in mind that professional equipment must be transported and set up, additional staffing may be needed and power and water requirements must be confirmed. We will arrive with a compact setup and we will not need extensive accommodations from the building. Our equipment requires 110v outlets only. As mentioned, we are not a catering company. If you know your building will require a COI with a million requirements typically meant for larger installations, please consider this ahead of time.
Can I give a coffee class as a gift?
Yes. Digital gift cards for barista training let the recipient choose a class and schedule it on their own time. The value can be applied toward any class.
What classes are like
Are the coffee classes hands-on?
Very. Depending on the class, students use espresso equipment, make drinks, steam milk, pour latte art, clean equipment, practice café workflow, or roast coffee. We believe in learning by doing.
How large are group classes?
Barista Basics and Latte Art Intro usually max out at six students, although an extra person or two occasionally squeezes in. The 3-Day Weekend Certificate Course generally holds seven or eight. The 30-Hour Weekday Certificate Course technically maxes out at ten. Classes do sell out.
How long are classes?
Barista Basics is three hours. Latte Art Intro and Introduction to Roasting are two hours each. The weekend certificate course is six hours per day for three days, and the weekday certificate course is six hours per day for five days. Private and special event formats vary.
What will I learn in Barista Basics?
You will learn about espresso equipment, beginner espresso technique, milk steaming, and the first steps of latte art. It is useful for home baristas, future professionals, business owners, and people who simply want to understand what baristas are doing.
What will I learn in the certificate programs?
Topics include coffee history and New York coffee culture, customer service, cleanliness, teamwork, using and cleaning an espresso machine, dialing in espresso, milk steaming, latte art, preparing and serving common drinks, opening and closing procedures, advanced espresso techniques, café workflow, and less common customer requests.
Does the certificate guarantee a barista job?
No course can guarantee employment. The Procreate certificate documents completion of the training. The practical work is intended to build real skills and confidence for café work; hiring decisions and legally required food-safety credentials are separate.
Do you provide the coffee, milk, tools, and equipment?
Yes. Class supplies and professional equipment are provided. We typically have non dairy milks in class as well as dairy milk. Past students attending practice time may bring their own milk or use supplies if they are available.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can survive an occasional splash of coffee or milk. Coffee training is practical and sometimes messy.
Should I bring anything?
No, you don't need to. But a pen, notebook, and your prepared questions are welcome and can be helpful.
Do you provide any materials for us to take home?
No. We do not typically have any printed materials for you to take home. Our classes focus on the experience in the room and the practical skills. We encourage you to take detailed notes and snap photos of any visual information provided at the time. If an instructor writes something down to help explain something, take a photo! If you are exposed to one of Justin's infamous set of slides that everyone wants emailed after class, take a photo just to be sure. We also trust that you will continue to bump into this information again and again outside of the classroom.
Can I take photos or videos?
Photos and short videos for your own reference are permitted. Be considerate and ask before recording other students.
Do you take photos or videos?
We may take photos during class for marketing purposes. If you prefer not to be included, please let your instructor know at the beginning of class.
Is there an age limit?
No. Procreate has taught younger students and does not have a universal minimum age. A younger student should be comfortable following safety instructions around hot liquids and commercial equipment. Parents are permitted to stay and keep themselves busy while their child participates in class.
Are classes wheelchair accessible?
No. The studio is on the third floor and is not wheelchair accessible.
What if I have a tremor, autism, another disability, or I learn differently?
You are welcome. Students with tremors, autism, and many different bodies, brains, and learning styles have attended. A tremor may make latte art more difficult; it does not make anyone unwelcome or subject to judgment. The instructors do their best to work with the student who is actually in front of them.
What languages do instructors speak?
Current instructors speak English. Procreate regularly works with students who speak any number of other languages very well, while knowing very little English, and the instructors do their best to demonstrate visually and bridge the gap. Whether that feels comfortable depends on the student. It is New York City and a class full of people communicating across differences is not unusual.
Do you speak Spanish?
No. Unfortunately, we do not have a Spanish-speaking instructor at this time.
Can I bring my dog?
Possibly. Our instructors love dogs! We can't guarantee every other student will love your dog, though, and if there is a conflict between you and another student because of your dog, you may have to find a solution or leave the class. We also cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate booking you in a different class to make up for it. If that is a risk you are willing to take, that's up to you!
Can I bring my baby?
Yes. Jessa literally continued teaching classes with her little one attached to her for a few years. So far, our experience has been that almost no one wants to bring their newborns/babies/toddlers/children but that is their preference 😂 But we will not fault you for being a parent and having a brand new human attached to you.
Scheduling, booking, and policies
Where can I see upcoming class dates?
Check the booking options on each individual class page. You can also use the class calendar, but it is a legacy feature; if it randomly stops working, the individual class pages are the better place to look.
How far in advance are dates posted?
Procreate tries to post classes at least a month in advance. Certificate courses typically run at least once a month, and their dates usually appear about three to four weeks beforehand.
How early should I arrive?
About 10 to 15 minutes early is plenty. Please do not arrive substantially earlier. Procreate's instructors work other jobs, and it is not unusual for them to arrive at about the same time as the students.
What happens if I am late?
This is New York. Everyone is late. All the time. Just come in when you arrive, and the instructor will get you settled. If you are signed up for a private class and will be more than 15 minutes late, do send us an email update so your instructor knows to wait for you.
What is the cancellation policy?
Please do not cancel your class. The classes are small, and the entire structure depends on the people who reserved seats actually participating. Transaction and processing fees are nonrefundable. If you are unsure about taking a class, do not book it and then immediately ask for a refund. Just wait until you are sure. The minute you pay for a class, we incur a transaction fee that can be quite substantial depending on the class. If you made a mistake, it is best to email us to sort out the appropriate fix.
Real emergencies happen. If one does, email as soon as possible. Customer cancellations and schedule changes may be subject to the fees stated on the class page and at checkout. The sooner you let us know, the sooner we can adjust the class to accommodate the change.
Can I move my reservation to another class?
If you need to change your reservation, Procreate will try to move you into another already scheduled class that has an open seat. Reservations cannot be moved repeatedly or carried forward indefinitely. You are only granted one confirmed change. If you request to reschedule a second time, we reserve the right to decline your request. Repeated moves can leave an empty seat in one class while holding seats in later classes, so any change remains subject to availability and the terms provided when you booked.
What if Procreate has to cancel or reschedule?
Procreate avoids schedule changes whenever possible. If an emergency, equipment issue, weather, or another unavoidable problem requires a change, students will be notified as early as possible and offered the options available at the time. We will refund you in full if the cancellation or schedule change is initiated by us and we cannot provide you a reasonable alternative.
How much do classes cost?
Prices vary and can change. The individual class page is the source of truth for the current price, availability, discount, and fee. Barista Basics and Latte Art Intro receive 15% off when bundled, and two or more Latte Art Intro seats also receive 15% off.
What if I find a different price or the price changes after I book?
Prices and promotions can change. The price shown on the individual class page when you complete checkout is the price that applies to your reservation. A price found somewhere else may be outdated, and a later price reduction or sale does not automatically apply to an earlier purchase. We also do not automatically extend expired promotions or refund the difference when someone misses a sale.
Do classes sell out?
Yes. Book early, especially if you need a specific date, but only when you are ready to commit. We notice and care when your reservation comes through. Once you book, we may spend the next month protecting that date and arranging other requests around your reservation, so please treat it as a real commitment.
Location and arrival
Where is Procreate Coffee?
The studio is at 158 27th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232, in the third floor office space. It is very much hidden like it's a coffee training speakeasy. If you see Major Elevator, you are in the right place. If you get dropped off and feel like you are very much in the wrong place, you are probably in the right place. We don't have a sign. We're right between Major Elevator and Manning Electric.
Which borough is the studio in?
Procreate Coffee is in Brooklyn. The studio address is 158 27th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232.
How do I get there by subway?
The studio is about a five-minute walk from the 25th Street R train station in Brooklyn.
What do I do when I reach the building?
Ring the bell near the iron door. The bell is not always immediately responsive. Once you ring the bell, it's very likely we're upstairs either fighting with the intercom or on our way down to let you in. Give us approximately 45 seconds. You can email us if you're concerned.
Is parking available?
Street parking can be difficult, especially on weekdays, so leave extra time. Long-term metered parking is usually affordable and available on 3rd Ave under the BQE.
Can I visit before taking a class?
Not really. If you really want to see the space beforehand, you can try stopping by at the beginning or end of a class listed on the schedule. If you randomly appear at another time, nobody will be there. On Wednesdays you may find Jim downstairs at BQE Repair fixing machines. He will probably talk to you because he is kind, but he is also supposed to be working, so please let Jim fix the machines.
After class and staying in touch
Can past students practice at Procreate?
Yes. Past students can use scheduled practice time to work on skills, use equipment and available supplies, and learn alongside other coffee people. Right now, practice times are typically scheduled every other Friday from 4:30-7:30pm.
Sometimes practice times can change. We suggest you sign up for the practice sessions on our website. If any changes are made, we will contact you with whatever phone or email address you provide at checkout. If you want to verify that practice times are indeed taking place before traveling to our location, you can email us.
What should I take after Barista Basics?
Choose Latte Art Intro for focused pouring practice, a certificate course for deeper café training, Introduction to Roasting for a broader understanding of coffee, Coffee Shop Ownership 101 for business questions, or a private class for a specific goal.
How do I contact Procreate Coffee?
For ordinary class questions, use this FAQ and the individual class pages. That is where you can find current options, descriptions, dates, times, availability, prices, booking, and payment.
Our social media exists, but it is not monitored. Please do not email or call to ask which ordinary class to choose, what dates are available, how much a class costs, or how to book.
Email info@procreatecoffee.com for specific concerns such as problems with an existing booking, corporate/custom event details, or any of the reasons listed above.
Why does Procreate only use email?
Procreate does not outsource customer service and none of us are sitting at a desk all day. We're teaching classes, working other jobs, running the business... sometimes we're in jail. A lot. So sometimes communication is a little slow. We truly appreciate your patience with us.
Email streamlines communication on our end so everyone here at Procreate can stay in the loop, and the person most capable of responding can get back to you.
If you email before class to cancel or request a change, we will usually receive the message, but you may not get an immediate reply. We adjust as necessary on the go, and we will follow up and work through the available options with you once we have a chance.
I found a phone number for you! Can I just call you?
If you really want to talk to someone on the phone, the best solution is to send us an email requesting a call and provide the number you want us to reach you at. We don't have one central phone, so if you email us, the person most capable of connecting with you will be able to do so sooner and with less confusion.
Current as of September 23, 2026. Class dates, prices, discounts, and policies can change. The individual class page and your order confirmation take priority over this general guide.