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- Tasks: Serve customers with top-notch coffee and food while ensuring a vibrant atmosphere.
- Company: Join Houston & Hawkes, an award-winning independent caterer known for creativity and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, a contributory pension scheme, and birthday days off!
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values excellence and offers opportunities for growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume cafes, great communication skills, and a passion for coffee are essential.
- Other info: Participate in fun company events and enjoy recognition schemes!
Location: Central London, Oxford Street
Salary: £14.28 per hour
Shift Pattern: Monday-Thursday, 32 hours
Houston & Hawkes are looking for an experienced Barista to join our team, providing a first class service based at our prestigious contracts in London.
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
- Checking if brewing equipment operates properly and reporting any maintenance needs
- Complying with Health & Safety regulations
- Complying with Food Handling & Hygiene standards
Barista Requirements:
- 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
Barista Additional Benefits:
- Free meals at work
- Contributory pension scheme
- Free access to the company Employee Assistant Programme
- Company events including all company Christmas party
- Uniform provided
- Recognition schemes and people awards
- Family-friendly support, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and adoption leave
- Day off on your birthday
- Referral bonuses
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 employer: Houston & Hawkes
Contact Detail:
Houston & Hawkes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Barista
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with different coffee brewing methods and beverage blends. This knowledge will not only impress during your interview but also show your passion for coffee, which is essential for a Barista role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills by engaging with friends or family in a café setting. Being able to demonstrate excellent communication and a friendly attitude can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Houston & Hawkes and their values. Understanding their commitment to sustainability and social responsibility will help you align your answers with their company culture during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience in high-volume cafés or coffee shops. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've managed busy shifts and maintained high standards of service.
We think you need these skills to ace Barista
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in high-volume cafes or coffee shops. Include specific examples of your customer service skills and any relevant training or certifications related to coffee brewing and food preparation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for coffee and your ability to provide excellent customer service. Mention why you want to work for Houston & Hawkes and how your values align with theirs, especially their commitment to social responsibility.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your organisational skills, teamwork, and communication abilities. Provide examples of how you've demonstrated these skills in previous roles, particularly in fast-paced environments.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in the hospitality industry.
How to prepare for a job interview at Houston & 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 commitment to the role.
✨Highlight Customer Service Skills
Since excellent customer service is key in this role, prepare examples of how you've provided outstanding service in previous positions. Discuss how you handle difficult customers and ensure a positive experience for everyone.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork
Houston & Hawkes values great team players, so be ready to discuss your experiences working in a team environment. Share specific instances where you collaborated with colleagues to achieve a common goal or improve service.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your practical skills, such as how you would handle stock management or maintain hygiene standards. Be prepared to discuss your approach to these tasks and any relevant experiences you've had in high-volume settings.
