I Loved it a Latte: Review of the Latte Class Offered by The Roasterie

I’m not artistic — at all. My mom wouldn’t even hang up my first-grade self portrait out of pity. I get that most people wouldn’t be nervous about something as low-key as a latte art class, but I couldn’t help it.        

If you’re wondering how lattes and art can be related, let me explain. The Roasterie offers a class that teaches untalented, coffee-enthused people — like yours truly — to make the signature foam heart that baristas oh-so-effortlessly pour on your daily latte. I signed up by Googling, “Roasterie Classes” and enrolling for the class on Jan. 18. Despite the hefty $60 fee for an hourlong class, it was a painless process. I signed up two weeks in advance and snatched the last slot. 

 The class was located at The Roasterie Cafe at Corrigan in downtown KC, which called for about a 20-minute drive from the East area. Since I never actually learned how to parallel park, I did have to pay an additional $5 to park in a lot nearby. Regardless, the downtown location provided perfect vibes for a latte class — tall windows flooding natural light and the strong aroma of espresso inspired me to serve up the perfect latte leaf. 

At 3 p.m. sharp, the barista shut down the cafe for the next hour, allowing for a private setting. Alongside me were two other espresso enthusiasts and my personal Harbinger photographer. The small group meant a few awkward conversations with strangers and a lot more latte practice for each of us (sadly, not enough for The Roasterie to hire me). 

First, we watched. As the barista poured the shot, steamed he milk and demonstrated the latte design, we prepared for our turn. When I was informed the machine I was using to clumsily design a flower was worth $20,000, I almost walked out before I could even considering the dang thing.

I was first tasked with emulating the Monk’s head — the typical leaf shape seen in bloggish Pinterest photos. Also, the most amateur level in the world of latte art. It’s basically a latte with a big white dot of cream in the middle — but trust me, it’s way harder than it seems. Nevertheless, no matter how bad my design turned out the barista continued to cheer me on so we moved on to a heart, which was just the Monk’s head with a line down the middle.

While my heart was somehow even worse than my Monk’s Head, the barista teaching the class told me that my talent was definitely there. Just hidden. Then we all went around in a circle trying to determine what my failed attempt at a heart truly was. As humiliating as it sounds, I think the best response was a stick figure doing cartwheels. 

Now I’ll say I was definitely the odd one out considering the two other people taking the class were clearly dedicated coffee connoisseurs. I mean, one dude brought his very own espresso machine from home, and the other girl in the class had already taken two other classes at the Roasterie. Further highlighting my atrocious attempts were my flower petals — which ended up looking like dirt specks on my latte —  that made my counterparts art seem perfect in comparison.

Overall, the class was well worth the $60, especially considering the fact that my parents paid for it. It was full of laughter — mostly at myself — and the opportunity to learn new skills with three strangers while drinking roughly four lattes per hour. Since my dad has already booked us for next month, I’ll have another chance to perfect my Monk’s head.