How qualifications created a path to the top for Gather & Gather barista Charlie Needler

The barista with contract caterer Gather & Gather tells Clare Nicholls about his journey from learning latte art to the 2024 UK Barista of the Year semi-finals

 

Did you study a hospitality-related course at school, college or university?

 

I didn’t study anything hospitality-related before I started my hospitality career – unless you count food technology at secondary school. My first job was in a nursery, but when I was younger, my chosen career path was to be a social worker, as I have always wanted to help others around me.

 

How did you make the transition into hospitality?

 

I was 17 and looking for a career change when a job as a general assistant with Gather & Gather caught my eye. I applied and I was lucky enough to get it. Catering, at the time, was an unknown to me, but this job turned out to be the key to unlocking my passion and potential. In my first year at Gather & Gather I achieved my City & Guilds Hospitality Level 2.

 

What initially attracted you to working in hospitality?

 

All the different avenues – there are so many doors that can be opened and ladders to climb, such as going into management or becoming a chef or, as has been my choice, excelling and progressing as a barista.

 

At Gather & Gather I started as a general assistant serving people hot food and sandwiches. One day I found myself covering the till in a coffee shop and I took a real interest in how to make coffee. This interest turned not only into a job but also my passion. I became a barista in a coffee shop for about a year and then progressed to coffee shop supervisor. At this stage, I decided I wanted to pursue a career in coffee.

 

Have you embarked on any additional personal career development?

 

I love learning! Early in my coffee career journey, I was told about the important qualifications in the coffee industry, and that I could also compete in barista competitions. This ignited a desire to get all the qualifications I could. I hold the Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) Barista certification from foundation to professional level, as well as in coffee brewing, green coffee, roasting and sensory. These are great qualifications to have under my belt, but I’m also pushing myself to be an authorised SCA trainer, which allows me to certify others.

 

I’ve also competed in the Gather & Gather Barista of the Year competition, reaching the national finals, and I’m now involved in organising the contest. But my biggest achievement to date is taking part in the UK Barista Championships 2023. This was an exciting, amazing experience, so I jumped at the opportunity to enter again in 2024. On 3 February I made it through to the semi-finals of UK Barista of the Year 2024, which takes place in March.

 

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced working in hospitality?

 

I have a disability – cerebral palsy – so the challenges I face can be as simple as serving sandwiches or heavy lifting, but there are always ways to adapt and I don’t let my disability hold me back. I was once told I would never ride a bike and a few years ago I couldn’t do latte art. Look at me now – I’m a UK Barista Championships semi-finalist!

 

What advice would you give someone starting out in the industry?

 

Before you choose your career path, make sure you explore every avenue that catering and hospitality has to offer. It’s a huge door that’s opened and all you have to do is step through it.

 

Who inspires you in the industry?

 

Everyone I have ever met. We all go through our own challenges and yet we always put the customers first. I would like to give a special mention to our head of coffee for being a great mentor to me.

 

What are your career goals?

 

My original plan to help others stays true. I am like a sponge and I absorb all the information I am given. I want to help others by sharing my knowledge and skills with them so they too can progress and succeed.