Barista

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.

Love great coffee and connecting with people? We want to meet you!

We’re seeking an energetic and personable Barista who takes pride in crafting quality espresso drinks and creating welcoming guest experiences. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, have a passion for great coffee, and enjoy delivering exceptional service, this could be the perfect role for you!

R esponsibilities

• Prepare and serve high-quality commercial espresso-based beverages, including espresso, cappuccino, latte, Americano, cold brew, and specialty coffee drinks.
• Operate espresso machines, coffee grinders, and other beverage equipment safely and efficiently.
• Demonstrate proper milk steaming, espresso extraction, beverage preparation, and presentation techniques.
• Maintain consistent beverage quality, portioning, and presentation standards.
• Maintain knowledge of coffee selections, ingredients, preparation methods, and specialty offerings.

• Provide warm, attentive, and professional service while creating a welcoming experience for every guest.
• Take beverage orders accurately and provide knowledgeable recommendations based on guest preferences.
• Anticipate guest needs and respond promptly and professionally to requests.
• Build positive guest relationships while maintaining a polished and hospitality-focused presence.

• Set up and maintain fully stocked coffee stations throughout service.
• Stock coffee, tea, milk, syrups, cups, lids, napkins, and other café service supplies to ensure the station is fully prepared for service.
• Monitor inventory levels and communicate product shortages or replenishment needs to management.
• Complete opening and closing duties, including setup, breakdown, restocking, cleaning, and organization.
• Process guest orders and payments accurately using the point-of-sale (POS) system.

• Maintain clean, organized, sanitary, and visually appealing bar and coffee stations throughout the shift.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, health department, and workplace safety standards.
• Properly clean and maintain espresso machines, grinders, bar equipment, glassware, tools, and work areas.
• Handle and store beverage products according to established safety and quality standards.
• Minimize product waste, spills, and breakage while maintaining appropriate portion controls.

Professional Appearance & Guest Experience

• Maintains a clean, neat, and professional appearance appropriate for a client-facing hospitality environment.
• Maintains appropriate personal hygiene and cleanliness standards.
• Ensures uniform is clean, presentable, and worn according to company standards.
• Represents the company professionally when interacting with clients and guests.

• Work collaboratively with culinary, service, management, and fellow beverage team members to ensure efficient operations.
• Communicate clearly with team members and management regarding guest needs, inventory, service issues, and operational concerns.
• Support coworkers during high-volume service periods to maintain an efficient flow of service.
• Participate in pre-shift meetings, training, and beverage education as required.
• Perform additional hospitality and operational responsibilities as assigned by management.

Q ualifications

• Minimum of 2–3 years of professional barista, experience in a restaurant, catering, or high-volume hospitality environment.
• Bartending experience is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of espresso preparation, coffee beverages, milk steaming, and specialty coffee service.
• Excellent guest service and interpersonal skills with a warm, professional, and hospitality-focused approach.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to confidently interact with guests, coworkers, and management.
• Ability to multitask and remain organized, composed, and attentive to detail during high-volume service periods.
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, punctuality, and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to operate POS systems and accurately handle cash and electronic payment transactions.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and proper food-handling practices.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 30 lbs. and remain standing for up to 8 hours during a shift.

Location:  New York, NY

Schedule: Full Time, On-Site

Compensation : $30.00–$34.00 per hour, based on experience.

Benefits:   Vacation time, 401(k), medical, dental, and vision insurance, transit benefits, paid and unpaid safe and sick time, and FSA (Flexible Spending Account).

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.