Barista

About the role

La Farine Pâtisserie et Café is a high-volume artisan bakery and café on the Upper West Side. We are focused on delivering consistent, high-quality coffee alongside efficient, professional service in a fast-paced environment. We are seeking experienced baristas who can execute drinks with precision, maintain speed during busy service, and provide clear, direct, and welcoming guest interactions. This role requires strong technical ability, attention to detail, and the ability to stay composed under pressure. This is a cross-functional front-of-house role. All baristas are trained to work on the register and assist with serving pastries and bread, and are expected to move between stations based on business needs. Flexibility and willingness to support all front-of-house responsibilities is required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare espresso, coffee, and tea beverages consistently and efficiently according to established standards
• Dial in and maintain espresso quality throughout the day (grind adjustment, shot consistency, milk texture)
• Handle high-volume service while maintaining organization, speed, and accuracy
• Provide direct, professional, and friendly guest service at all times
• Accurately process orders and payments through the POS system
• Cross-train and work across front-of-house roles, including register operation and serving pastries, bread, and other products
• Confidently describe products and assist guests in making selections
• Support overall front-of-house flow by transitioning between barista and counter service as needed
• Maintain a clean, organized, and fully stocked station at all times
• Restock milk, cups, lids, and supplies proactively during service
• Communicate clearly with team members to ensure smooth operations during peak hours
• Follow all food safety and sanitation standards
• Take ownership of your station and contribute to a disciplined, team-oriented environment
• Handle guest concerns calmly and professionally

Skills & Requirements

• Prior barista experience required (must be comfortable working independently on bar)
• Strong understanding of espresso fundamentals and milk steaming
• Ability to work quickly and accurately in a high-volume environment
• Strong attention to detail and consistency in drink preparation
• Comfortable with direct customer interaction and fast-paced service
• Punctual, reliable, and able to maintain consistent attendance
• NYC Food Protection Certificate (required; can be obtained after hiring)
• Basic math and POS/computer skills
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs
• Availability for mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays

Benefits

• $18 daily employee meal provided during shifts
• Unlimited coffee and beverages during working hours
• 50% employee discount on all products
• Consistent, year-round scheduling

Pay

$28–$32/hour total compensation (includes $17–$18/hour base wage plus tips averaging $11–$14/hour)

Schedule

Full-time and part-time opportunities available with availability for mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Growth & Development

• Performance-based raises and advancement opportunities
• Ongoing training to refine coffee quality, consistency, and speed
• Cross-training across front-of-house operations
• Opportunity to grow into lead barista or supervisory role