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- Tasks: Serve customers, prepare food and drinks, and maintain a clean espresso bar.
- Company: Join Houston & Hawkes, an award-winning independent caterer focused on creativity and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, a pension scheme, life assurance, and fun company events.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team that values professional growth and social responsibility.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume cafes, excellent communication skills, and a passion for coffee.
- Other info: Receive a day off on your birthday and access exclusive hospitality memberships.
Location: Abingdon, OX14 3YS
Salary: £13.21 per hour
Shift Pattern: Monday-Friday, 37.5 hours
Houston & Hawkes are looking for an experienced Barista/General Assistant to join our team, providing a first class service based at our client site in Abingdon. If you enjoy serving customers and you have a high level of professionalism, you'll have a great opportunity to develop your career.
The successful candidate will be responsible for providing a great service to customers, ensuring the espresso bar is clean, tidy and well-stocked, and making a wide range of both food and drinks.
Barista Duties:- Greeting customers and delivering excellent customer service
- Making recommendations to customers and answering any questions
- Preparing food and drinks carefully and to our high standards
- Ensuring the display is always well stocked
- Managing stock levels and identifying ordering requirements
- Learning about brewing methods, beverage blends, food preparation and presentation techniques
- Check if brewing equipment operates properly and report any maintenance needs
- Complying with Health & Safety regulations
- Complying with Food Handling & Hygiene standards
- You'll have a proven background in high volume cafes or coffee shops
- Continues to learn and educate themselves on whole bean knowledge, coffee blends, teas, bakery items, coffee brewing and blended products
- Passionate, friendly, diligent and a great team player
- Reliable and trustworthy
- Ability to display passion for everything about coffee
- Excellent communication and customer service skills
- A positive attitude with the ambition to progress
- Good organisational skills
- Free meals at work
- Contributory pension scheme
- Free access to the company Employee Assistant Programme
- Life assurance at two times salary
- Company events including all company Christmas & Summer party
- Recognition schemes and people awards
- Family-friendly support, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and adoption leave
- Day off on your birthday
- Referral bonus
- Membership of CODE exclusively for Hospitality Professionals
Who We Are:
Houston & Hawkes is a young and dynamic independent caterer based in the South East. We are proud to be an award-winning company, ranked among the top 30 companies to work for in the hospitality industry, and a certified B Corp company. We believe in creating memorable experiences for our customers through our vibrant, creative, and sustainable food offerings. We operate coffee bars, staff restaurants, and delis, tailored to our clients' hospitality and event needs. Committed to social responsibility, passionate about Great British produce and dedicated to our talented teams.
Join Houston & Hawkes and be part of a team that values excellence, creativity, and professional growth.
Barista/General Assistant employer: Houston and Hawkes
Contact Detail:
Houston and Hawkes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Barista/General Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the coffee culture and trends in the industry. Being knowledgeable about different brewing methods, coffee blends, and food pairings will not only impress your potential employers but also show your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills by engaging with people in various settings. Whether it's volunteering or working in a retail environment, demonstrating your ability to connect with customers will be a huge plus during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Houston & Hawkes and their values. Understanding their commitment to sustainability and social responsibility can help you align your answers during the interview, showcasing that you're a great fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of Houston & Hawkes. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and what it takes to succeed in the Barista/General Assistant role, giving you an edge in your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Barista/General Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in high-volume cafes or coffee shops. Emphasise your customer service skills and any specific barista training or certifications you have.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for coffee and customer service. Mention specific experiences where you've excelled in similar roles and how you align with the values of Houston & Hawkes.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on skills such as communication, organisation, and teamwork. Provide examples of how you've demonstrated these skills in previous roles, especially in fast-paced environments.
Show Enthusiasm for the Role: Express your excitement about the opportunity to work with Houston & Hawkes. Mention their commitment to social responsibility and how you would contribute to creating memorable experiences for customers.
How to prepare for a job interview at Houston and Hawkes
✨Show Your Passion for Coffee
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for coffee and the art of brewing during the interview. Share any personal experiences or knowledge you have about different coffee blends, brewing methods, and food pairings to demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Highlight Customer Service Skills
Since this position involves a lot of customer interaction, be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in providing excellent customer service. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've handled customer queries or complaints effectively.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork
Houston & Hawkes values teamwork, so be ready to talk about your ability to work collaboratively with others. Share instances where you contributed to a team environment, especially in high-pressure situations typical in cafes or coffee shops.
✨Prepare Questions About the Company
Research Houston & Hawkes and prepare thoughtful questions about their values, culture, and the specifics of the barista role. This shows your interest in the company and helps you determine if it’s the right fit for you.
