t h e   t e a m

Richard Ward - Director

Holds a British National Diploma in Hotel Catering and Institutional Operations and has nearly sixteen years experience working in the hospitality industry, always in the highest standard four and five star establishments in London and around the world. 

More recently Richard was employed by two of the worlds largest cruise lines to manage their food and beverage operations. He assisted with the launch of several new mega-ships including the worlds largest M/s Voyager of the Seas. It is during this time that Richard first realised the love for his daily 5am coffee. He participated in launching Royal Caribbean's first coffee shops at sea in agreement with 'Seattle Coffee Company' and later with Carnival's 'Coffee Shop Company' based in Vienna.

Prior to founding The Sydney Coffee School, Richard held the Senior position of  Catering Manager at The Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre (Australia's largest food and beverage operation). Besides many responsibilities he was part of a team that oversaw the delivery of 1'000'000 million coffees served every year!

Richard still loves to travel and is fortunate to have visited over 80 countries. He enjoys nothing better than finding a new coffee shop and reading the daily newspaper.

Emily Falson - Senior Trainer (Teacher)

Emily is a certificate IV qualified trainer, specialising in hospitality and in particular, coffee. She has designed and delivered the Prepare & Serve Espresso Coffee module at TAFE and with registered training organisations in New South Wales and Victoria. 

To ensure consistency, Emily oversees all our trainers and the day to day delivery of our course structure. She understands the competency standards that the industry expects and is a true professional.

Emily has over 30 years experience in the hospitality industry, running cafes, restaurants, function centres and hotels. She has owned cafes in Melbourne, Tasmania and even Greece. Her skills and passion have even taken her to work for royalty in Europe, and for some of Frances’ most respected chefs. Emily is aware of what you’ll need to get a job in hospitality - especially as a Barista. Having been an employer for many years its given her the insight into what businesses want from their team. Emily will guide and coach you all the way making your experience fun and interactive.

Her family roots go back to the old country - Italy, so Emily has had coffee in her veins from an early age. She's never had an instant coffee, ("the smell is enough for me NOT to drink it!") - Emily loves nothing more than to show anyone who loves coffee, how to extract the perfect shot. Loving to travel - Shanghai is next for 2009!

Karen Yates - Trainer (Teacher)

Karen is a certificate IV qualified trainer, specialising in hospitality and in particular coffee. She has held positions in a variety of challenging roles with extensive teaching experience in training and developing disadvantaged children/students.

Over the years Karen has operated and managed many cafe's, bars, restaurants, clubs and hotels in Australia. She takes her role of trainer very seriously and strides to enlighten students of the day to day expectations of becoming a Barista. Karen is naturally a positive person and her infectious character will have you paying attention without you realising it.

Originally from New Zealand, Karen has called Sydney home for many years. One of her other passions is wine, respecting the cultivation and harvesting of this popular drop. Similar to grapes, coffee beans are formed from a seed with many similar contributing factors affecting final production.

Karen lives in the heart of Sydney and takes advantage of visiting all the wonderful cafes on her door step. Maybe you might spot her...