Ciro tarined barista Lucky Maffa

Lucky Maffa (Barista, Vovo Telo) with mentor Zameer Kantharia (manager, Vovo Telo)

Vovo Telo recruits Ciro trained baristas

BRAND ACTIVITY

Jan 10th, 08:12

Vovo Telo Bakery and Café, recently voted Best of Joburg's: Best New Restaurant 2011, is giving back to the coffee loving community by ensuring that South Africa’s baristas receive the necessary practical experience to support their top level training provided by the Ciro Beverage Solution’s Barista Upliftment Programme. The success of Ciro’s Barista Upliftment programme has secured Vovo Telo’s support in advancing apprentice baristas by placing Ciro trained interns in their premium, artisan bakeries.

The programme is run through the Ciro Coffee Academy and involves taking unemployed South Africans who have limited skills and putting them through an approximately three month barista training programme where they will learn all the elements of what it takes to be a professional barista, including the history of coffee, coffee recipes as well as barista competition training. Training through the Ciro Coffee Academy is certificated by the internationally accredited training body, City & Guilds, allowing the participants to complete their training with the Ciro stamp of approval as well as an internationally recognised certificate.

Applicants undergo an interview process to be accepted into the programme, however there is no cost to the participants and once they have completed their training, Ciro seeks out opportunities in the industry amongst their hospitality clients. Ciro is actively involved in upskilling the trade while offering training and employment for people who otherwise may not have had the opportunity. The programme also ensures that Ciro is offering clients a well rounded solution by providing quality products and placing qualified baristas in the field.

A recent graduate from Ciro's Barista Upliftment Programme, Lucky Maffa, a 22-year-old from Alexandra, joined the programme in June this year where he completed his training at Ciro’s in-house café. Lucky was then offered the opportunity to gain practical work experience as a trainee barista at the Vovo Telo store at the prestigious 44 Stanley Avenue boutique complex in Auckland Park and is now fully employed serving world class coffees to local patrons at the newly opened Vovo Telo store situated in the heart of trendy Parkhurst. Confirms Lucky, "I am honoured to be given the opportunity to learn a new skill, and plan to take advantage of being part of a growing industry."

Vovo Telo recruits Ciro trained and qualified baristas to ensure that customers receive consistent in-cup quality every time. Zameer Kantharia, the manager of Vovo Telo Parkhurst comments, "In order to produce delicious coffee creations to accompany our freshly baked breads and pastries, we need skilled baristas that have undergone professional training right through to customer service. We understand that this is imperative and key to our business success.” There are currently three permanent baristas on staff including Herbert Sibanda, another Ciro graduate.

By lending their support to the Ciro Coffee Academy’s Barista Upiftment Programme, Vovo Telo will be playing an important role in offering up-and-coming baristas the opportunity to gain practical and hands-on work experience during their internship.

For more information on Ciro’s Barista Upliftment Programme, visit www.ciro.co.za. Details for Vovo Telo, go to www.vovotelo.comClick here for more information on Ciro