Barrista Job Description
The word "barista" is Italian for bartender. In the United States, baristas refer to coffee bartenders who make specialty hot and cold coffee drinks, such as espresso, cappuccino, mocha and cafe latte. Professional baristas are skilled artisans. They are knowledgeable about the history of coffee and the coffee roasting process. They perform techniques that result in coffee drinks that consistently have the same flavor, look and foam texture every time. Baristas work in cafes, coffee houses and restaurants. Some baristas find employment in department stores, casinos, theaters and other establishments that offer coffee drinks to their patrons.
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Primary Duties
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Baristas work as part of a team to provide quality customer service. They take customers’ orders for coffee, and sometimes food, and deliver the orders promptly and with a friendly attitude. Baristas follow recipes to make beverages and observe their employers’ standards for their presentation. Baristas also comply with health, safety and sanitation guidelines for creating the drinks. Their duties include answering customers’ questions about coffee and coffee making. Baristas may work cash registers, which includes adding up customers’ bills, taking their money and giving them back change.
Other Duties
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In addition to making and serving coffee, baristas maintain their workstations and clean counters, tables and dining areas. They assist in developing menus. They take inventory of supplies. They restock counters with milk, napkins, spoons, coffee sleeves and other products for customers’ drinks. In establishments that sell merchandise, baristas may create displays and stock shelves with products. Managers or employers may assign baristas to open or close their operations.
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Physical Requirements
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Baristas stand for long periods. Their tasks may require them to occasionally stoop and kneel and climb ladders or stairs. They sometimes push, pull, lift or carry objects weighing up to 40 lbs. Baristas may work rotating shifts, which include early morning or evening hours. They may be scheduled to work on weekends and holidays.
Qualifications
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Employers employ baristas who are punctual, dependable, flexible and self-motivated. Baristas also are positive, outgoing, honest and trustworthy. They have exceptional interpersonal, customer service and teamwork skills. Employers may hire individuals without experience to entry-level positions, as long as they have a strong interest in coffee and coffee making and show an ability to learn quickly.
Training
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Baristas learn on the job, while working under the direction of experienced baristas. Some baristas have completed workshops or courses offered by private barista schools or professional organizations to learn about their craft. Employers train new workers on the safe use of their coffee machines, the procedures for grinding coffee, the preparation of coffee and specialty drinks and other aspects of their operations.
Salaries
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Formal salary information for baristas is unavailable. Baristas earn salaries similar to other food preparation workers. According to a May 2009 salary survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most food preparation workers earned an estimated annual salary that ranged between $15,380 and $28,280. Most of these workers earned an estimated hourly wage that ranged between $7.39 and $13.60.
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References
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- Photo Credit Espresso image by PhotoMan from Fotolia.com
