KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. COFFEE KNOWLEDGE IS SUPERPOWER.
THE SCHOOL OF FINE COFFEE ARTS & SUSTAINABILITY
Welcome to the School of Fine Coffee Arts & Sustainability, Victoria BC — a quiet, focused learning space inside a functioning café: fika, open after hours for students who want to grow their coffee craft with clarity and confidence. Each lesson is taught privately one-on-one by Coffee Artist & Mentor, Praveen, using a mindful, personalized, and sustainable teaching approach.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
PRAVEEN PONRAJ
Praveen is a coffee artist & educator. He brings a rare blend of engineering precision, patient mentorship, and deep coffee experience. He has taught a wide range of learners over the years — from engineers to school students building model aircrafts, from photography enthusiasts to new baristas stepping into the coffee world.
His teaching style is clear, encouraging, and grounded in real practice. Students describe feeling supported, unhurried, and safe to make mistakes — a space where learning becomes enjoyable and deeply meaningful.
Praveen’s work spans engineering, project management, climate action, photography, roasting, and running a coffee business. These experiences shape the School’s approach: thoughtful, skill-centered, and always connected to sustainability.
From student reviews
“Direct, easy to follow, and highly encouraging… I felt safe to ask questions without feeling embarrassed.”
“I can now confidently steam non-dairy milk and create beautiful latte art — with little to no waste.”
“Praveen is always present with students and genuinely excited to help people learn about coffee.”
THE SCHOOL OF FINE COFFEE ARTS & SUSTAINABILITY, VICTORIA, BC
WHO IS THIS SCHOOL FOR?
Coffee Enthusiasts
For anyone who loves coffee and wants to brew, taste, and understand it at a deeper level: both at personal enjoyment as well as to share the craft with friends and family
Aspiring Coffee Professionals
For those preparing to enter the coffee industry or dreaming of building their own café, roastery, or coffee-centered venture.
Creative Learners & Craft Seekers
For people who value mindful, hands-on instruction and want a calm space to learn coffee skills as an art form to meditate, create, and for self-exploration.
Cafés and Offices — Onsite Classes & Workshops
For teams in professional settings who want to fine-tune their coffee skills or simply enjoy creating and learning something together.
MINDFUL, STUDENT-CENTERED TEACHING MODEL
TEACHING METHODOLOGY
FOUNDATIONS FIRST
We start with clear intentions and measurable outcomes, then build repeatable practice you can run on any bar, not just in a perfect classroom setup.
PRESENCE AS A SKILL
Attention, breath, posture, and pacing are taught as technical tools for consistency, calm service, and better sensory feedback in the moment.
MENTORSHIP MODEL
Learning continues after class. You can return with questions, troubleshoot real shifts, refine technique, and repeat modules when you want more reps.
MASTERY DEFINITION
Mastery means consistent results across different coffees, equipment, and service conditions, with the ability to explain why changes work and how to adjust next time.
The School teaches coffee as a mindful art and a real-world sustainability practice, where technical mastery, ecological responsibility, and social justice belong together, and where learning is embodied through hands-on café craft, intention-setting, tasting, storytelling, and journalling.
HOW TO BEGIN
START LEARNING.
ADD CERTIFICATION ANYTIME.
Most students begin with a knowledge-only class to build confidence and fundamentals. If you decide you want a credential later, you can upgrade by booking the certification exam(s) for the class(es) you’ve already completed (no need to repeat the class).
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Pick a class or pathway that matches your goals.
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Book a 1.5-hour one-on-one session (or join a group workshop when available).
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Practice between sessions using the suggestions you receive (optional but recommended).
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If/when you want credentials, book the separate exam session for each class in that credential.
LOCATION
All training takes place at Fika, 1329 Cook St, Victoria, after the café closes. The price includes equipment usage, ingredients supplied by Fika, and personalized instruction. We believe financial barriers should never stop anyone from pursuing art — please talk to us if you need assistance.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
COFFEE KNOWLEDGE IS SUPERPOWER
As coffee hobbyists and/or professionals, we are responsible for ensuring our industry's sustainability. This requires making socially and environmentally responsible decisions while crafting delicious coffee-tasting experiences. All our professional trainings and workshops will aim to reverse global warming with Climate Wave Coffee Solutions as a guide.