A Noosa-based hospitality training facility is attracting attention for offering coffee at a fraction of typical local prices.
The Culinary Academy’s TCA cafe, located on Sunshine Beach Road, is serving espresso-based coffees from $2.50 as part of its student training program.
The site forms part of a hospitality school operated alongside Lexis English, delivering cookery and hospitality courses including certificate and diploma qualifications.
According to head of the diploma of hospitality Philip Holmes, the public-facing cafe and restaurant are designed primarily as training environments rather than commercial ventures.
“We are not here for profit. We’re here to train our students,” Mr Holmes said.
“Basically, we just cover our costs. We’re charging almost cost price.”
The pricing model has resulted in significantly lower costs than most venues in Noosa, where coffee and beverages typically command premium prices.
At the cafe, all espresso-based coffees – including lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites – are priced at $2.50 for a standard size, with larger coffees available for $4.50. The coffee beans are sourced from a local supplier, Sunshine Coast Coffee Roastery.
Mr Holmes said maintaining quality remained a focus despite the training setting.
“We spend lots of time making sure that the coffee’s all right,” he said.
“Generally speaking, the students do a really good job.”
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Between six and eight students typically operate the cafe at any given time under staff supervision. The venue can serve up to 60 or 70 customers a day when open, with a mix of takeaway and limited seating available.
“It’s very popular because nobody serves coffee at that price,” Mr Holmes said.
“We are also a training institution, so sometimes there are mistakes – but customers are very patient and supportive.”
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The cafe does not operate full-time, with opening periods tied to course delivery. It is generally open during barista training blocks held in the first two weeks of each month during school terms, with initial training days closed to the public.
The facility also includes a full restaurant and bar used for separate training courses, which are periodically opened to the public.
“It looks like any other restaurant or bar that you might find,” Mr Holmes said.
During bar and cocktail training weeks, the venue offers discounted beverages, including $8 cocktails and $5 bottled beers, wines and spirits.
“We’re talking about top-quality products,” he said.
“For example, Heads of Noosa beers – which you’d normally pay $10 to $12 for – are $5 here.”
Set-menu dining is also offered during restaurant training blocks, typically featuring a three-course meal for about $35.
Mr Holmes said the public offering played an important role in preparing students for industry conditions, particularly as many participants were international students.
“A lot of them have English as a second language, so it can be quite a challenge serving customers,” he said.
“But it’s a great experience for them.”
The TCA cafe, at 28 Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Heads, is generally open about 8.30am to midday during allocated course dates, which are updated on its website.
