Barista - Part-time

About us:

From innovative menus and striking design to impeccable service and critical attention to detail, at Great Performances, we weave our mission into all we do. Serving New York City for over four decades, Great Performances has evolved from a waitress staffing agency to the leading catering, events, and hospitality companies in the greater New York area. We provide food services in an array of celebrated New York City cultural institutions, including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Wave Hill, and The Apollo Theater. We are known for full-service catering and events, corporate workplace dining and amenity programs, and large-scale event and festival production. Great Performances is the nation’s first caterer to own and operate an organic farm, Katchkie Farm, located in Kinderhook, NY. Progressive from the start, we consistently set the pace for industry best practices.

We are seeking highly motivated and talented individuals to join our team and to support our vision, mission, and values through everything they do. If you share our passion and want to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to apply.

Our Vision: Building Community to Better Our World

Our Mission: Unleash Joy through Genuine Hospitality

Our Core Values:

Craftsmanship: developing new menus, designs, and moments to deliver engaging experiences to our clients and guests.

People: creating fair access, opportunity, and advancement for everyone. Our employees are our greatest asset.

Sustainability: upholding and elevating standards for sustainable behaviors that support our planet.

Collaboration: aligning with our clients’, colleagues’, and community’s visions to execute a successful experience.

Doing Good Through Food: engaging in action around food access, health and wellness, education, and philanthropy.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and customer-focused Barista to join our team. The Barista is responsible for delivering exceptional hospitality while preparing and serving high-quality coffee, tea, and specialty beverages. This role plays a key part in creating a welcoming café experience by providing outstanding customer service, maintaining a clean and organized workspace, and ensuring consistent beverage quality. The ideal candidate has a passion for food, beverage, and hospitality and thrives in a fast-paced, guest-focused environment.

Responsibilities

Beverage Preparation & Quality

• Prepare and serve high-quality coffee, espresso, tea, and specialty beverages according to company standards.
• Ensure consistency, quality, and presentation of all beverages served.
• Maintain a strong knowledge of menu offerings and provide recommendations to guests.

Guest Service & Hospitality

• Deliver exceptional customer service with a guest-first mindset.
• Create a warm, welcoming, and professional environment for guests.
• Anticipate guest needs and promptly address questions, concerns, and requests.
• Accurately describe menu items and assist guests with selections.

Café Operations

• Operate POS systems and process cash, credit card, and digital transactions accurately.
• Support daily café operations to ensure efficient service and workflow.
• Collaborate with team members and management to achieve operational goals.
• Demonstrate the ability to skillfully and safely use a commercial espresso machine and steam wand to independently execute a standard drink menu, including cortados, cappuccinos, and lattes, without supervision.

Cleanliness & Food Safety

• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the café, service areas, equipment, and dining spaces throughout each shift.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and NYC Department of Health regulations.
• Ensure workstations and guest-facing areas are clean, stocked, and presentation-ready at all times.

Inventory & Restocking

• Restock food, beverage, and café supplies as directed by management.
• Assist with inventory counts, product rotation, and waste reduction efforts.
• Communicate inventory shortages or operational needs to management.

Opening & Closing Procedures

• Perform opening duties, including equipment setup, stocking, and preparing the café for service.
• Retrieve, verify, and set up cash drawers from the safe to begin the workday.
• Complete closing duties, including cleaning, breakdown, restocking, and securing work areas.
• Ensure all opening and closing checklists are completed accurately and thoroughly.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of hospitality experience in a customer-facing role.
• Minimum of 1 year of barista experience.
• Passion for coffee, food, beverage, and hospitality.
• Strong verbal communication skills, with the ability to confidently describe menu items and engage with guests.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing outstanding customer service.
• Professional demeanor, polished appearance, and a warm, welcoming personality.
• Experience with restaurant POS systems; cash and credit card handling experience preferred.
• Strong organizational skills,with attention to detail and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Dependable, punctual, and reliable.
• Positive attitude with a collaborative, team-oriented approach.
• Ability to anticipate guest needs and proactively provide solutions.
• Commitment to maintaining beverage quality, presentation standards, and operational excellence.
• Ability to keep the café clean, organized, and fully stocked throughout the shift.
• Food Handler's Certificate preferred.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and perform repetitive motions throughout the shift.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail and service standards.

Location: New York, NY

Base Pay: $21.00 per hour, plus tips

Benefits: Accrued Sick Time

Schedule: Part-time. Applicants must be available to work morning shifts Tuesday through Friday.

You must be able to provide valid documentation that you are legally eligible to work in the United States.

Great Performances is an equal-opportunity employer. At Great Performances, we employ qualified individuals based solely on ability, training, and experience. Great Performances does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment or promotion based on race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.