RAW Coffee Company, the UAE’s leading specialty coffee roaster, has partnered with JAR Premium Foods to launch the RAW x MILKLAB Barista Training Centre, which opened on September 25th, 2025, at RAW’s roastery and café in Al Quoz, Dubai.
The centre represents a first-of-its-kind collaboration in the UAE, bringing together RAW’s internationally recognised specialty coffee expertise and MILKLAB’s barista-grade plant-based milk portfolio. Together, the two brands aim to raise barista standards, support cafés in meeting growing demand for plant-based alternatives, and strengthen the local coffee community through accessible, professional education.
“Specialty coffee is evolving, and so are the preferences of café customers,” said Kim Thompson, Founder and Director of Culture & Brand at RAW Coffee Company. “We’re seeing a generational shift toward cold brews and plant-based alternatives, and baristas need the knowledge and confidence to deliver consistent quality in this new landscape. This training centre is about equipping them with the skills, techniques, and product knowledge to do just that.”
“MILKLAB identified the rise of plant-based coffee culture early, launching our barista milk range in Australia in 2015 with almond as the category game-changer, followed by coconut, oat, and macadamia,” said Murad Janakat, CEO at JAR Premium Foods, exclusive distributor for MILKLAB since 2017. “Eight years on, we are proud to serve specialty coffee shops across GCC and Levant. With the UAE’s vibrant café scene, this training centre with RAW Coffee Company reflects our commitment to raising industry standards, ensuring baristas are equipped to consistently deliver the quality and creativity today’s consumers expect.”
The training centre will offer a range of programmes and workshops focused developed in partnership with top baristas and industry professionals. The courses are designed to help participants understand the unique properties of each milk, master steaming and texturing techniques, and ensure consistency across dairy and alternatives.
Initially, training will be available to RAW Coffee Company and JAR Premium Foods’ commercial partners. Community slots will also be introduced for independent baristas, café owners, and home enthusiasts. Graduates who successfully complete the programme will receive a RAW Coffee Company Barista Certificate, along with exclusive goodie bags from JAR Premium Foods.
The RAW x MILKLAB Barista Training Centre will serve as a shared space for knowledge exchange, practical learning, and collaboration. By opening its doors to partners, professionals, and enthusiasts alike, the initiative aims to strengthen connections within the coffee community and encourage broader conversations around quality, sustainability, and the future of café culture in the region.
