Barista / Café Team Member

**About Us**
Il Barretto Pasticceria | Caffè | Charcuterie is an Italian-inspired café located inside Picasso Salon in St. Catharines. We specialize in authentic coffee, pastries, charcuterie, and cocktails with a touch of luxury and creativity. We’re seeking a passionate, detail-oriented, and service-driven individual to join our expanding team.

**Responsibilities**
- Prepare and serve espresso-based drinks, specialty coffees, teas, and seasonal beverages with consistency and quality.
- Greet customers warmly and take their orders efficiently using the POS system.
- Create innovative new coffee drinks and signature cocktails to enhance our menu.
- Provide warm, attentive, and professional service to all guests, ensuring a true Italian café experience.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of the café, including barista stations, counters, tables, and dishware.
- Handle food and beverage orders efficiently while ensuring presentation and quality meet café standards.
- Follow all food safety and hygiene protocols.
- Assist with light charcuterie and pastry service.
- Support in maintaining inventory, restocking supplies, and monitoring product levels.
- Collaborate with team members to deliver a seamless customer experience.

**Qualifications**
- Previous barista experience is required (latte art and specialty drink preparation a strong asset).
- Smart Serve certification (mandatory).
- Food Handler’s certification (mandatory).
- Passion for coffee, cocktails, and Italian culture.
- Creativity and initiative to craft new beverage concepts.
- Strong communication and customer service skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, small-team environment.
- Italian language is a plus, but not mandatory.

**Schedule & Growth**
- Part-time hours to start (weekdays & weekends required).
- Opportunity to grow into a full-time role as the café expands.

**Perks**
- Be part of an exciting new café concept in Niagara.
- Work in a creative, community-driven environment.
- Opportunity to contribute ideas to menu development and events.

**How to Apply**

**Barista Must Have Skills**
- Espresso extraction & calibration
- Milk steaming & texturing (latte art is a plus)
- Preparing espresso-based drinks consistently

**Customer Service Excellence**
- Friendly, professional, and attentive interaction with guests
- Ability to handle complaints or special requests with patience and care
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills

**Food & Beverage Knowledge**
- Understanding of coffee origins, brew methods, and tasting notes
- Knowledge of pastries, sandwiches, and light food service
- Cocktail or specialty drink preparation (for cafés that serve alcohol)

**Food Safety & Hygiene**
- Food Handler’s certification
- Knowledge of sanitation practices (cleaning stations, equipment, utensils, etc.)
- Maintaining proper storage and rotation of food/beverages

**Smart Serve (or Equivalent License if Serving Alcohol)**
- Responsible alcohol service
- Knowledge of legal requirements regarding serving and consumption

**Cash Handling & POS Operation**
- Ability to process transactions accurately
- Managing cash, debit, and credit payments efficiently

**Multitasking & Time Management**
- Handling multiple orders at once without compromising quality
- Working efficiently during peak hours

**Teamwork & Collaboration**
- Ability to support and communicate with fellow staff members
- Flexibility in roles (helping with charcuterie, pastries, and cleaning when needed)

**Adaptability & Problem-Solving**
- Staying calm under pressure
- Adjusting quickly to unexpected situations (supply shortages, rushes, etc.)

**Creativity (Value-Added for Specialty Cafés)**
- Designing new seasonal beverages or cocktails
- Enhancing menu offerings with fresh ideas

**Job Type**: Part-time

Pay: From $17.20 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 30 per week

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2025-09-08