Barista and Kitchen Assistant

• Based at Applaud Coffee, St Peters Street, Ipswich
• Starting date: Oct/Nov 2026

ABOUT APPLAUD COFFEE

We are a strong, skilled, passionate and friendly team working together to achieve our vision to be the best coffee shop in Ipswich: to create the best customer experience and to be a thriving workplace for our team.

We’re a growing business and are looking for someone interested in long term commitment. We have a positive working environment with a culture of feedback that enables personal development and business growth.

We want to employ someone who is passionate about quality food, drink and customer service. It’s a busy workplace with a lot going on at once, so if you’ve ever been described as ‘on it’ in a previous job, you’ll be a strong contender for this role.

Applaud Coffee is part of River Church Ipswich, and has a positive, Christian ethos and values. All of our profits go towards River Church’s work in the community, including River Store, which provides more than 50,000 meals per year for those in financial difficulty.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

This position is perfect for someone that thrives in a busy and fast paced environment. Working as Barista & Kitchen Assistant is a varied role and you will need to be able to turn your hand to a range of tasks, including: taking orders, preparing drinks, cooking breakfasts, preparing lunches, baking cakes, washing up, running food and clearing tables.

You will take pride in the Applaud brand and embody the core values of Applaud to fulfil our vision to be the best coffee shop in Ipswich.

POSITION

• Reporting to Coffee Shop Manager
• Hours are flexible, part-time or full-time, and will vary according to rota needs

MAIN TASKS

• Embody the Applaud core values
• Deliver excellent customer service with an attention to detail
• Prepare and produce food and drink products of a high and consistent quality to tight deadlines
• Baking Applaud cakes for the shop counter and external orders
• Perform general kitchen and coffee shop duties e.g serving, cooking, washing up and cleaning
• Maintain an environment of cleanliness and ambience at all times

SKILLS / QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• Numerate and literate

Desirable

• Food Hygiene certificate

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Hardworking, reliable and honest
• Experience in a commercial kitchen
• Exceptional customer service
• Confident and competent baker / cook
• Able to thrive in a busy and fast paced environment
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to troubleshoot situations
• Organised, efficient and able to prioritise
• Able to show initiative and work well under pressure
• High attention to detail
• Energetic with a positive mindset
• Sympathetic to the Christian faith, able to uphold River Church’s ethos statement and code of conduct, and invite customers to River Church events as appropriate
• Enthusiasm for and the ability to embody the vision and values of Applaud

Desirable

• Barista and/or hospitality experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The job is physically demanding. You will be required to stand for extended periods of time and

to lift and carry stock to and from the basement.

WHAT WE OFFER

• £12.71 per hour (or National Minimum Wage for those aged under 21)
• Any 2 drinks from the Applaud menu on shift
• Free coffee and tea off shift
• Free lunch on shifts of over 6 hours
• 20% discount on retail products
• Pension contributions

HOW TO APPLY

If you think you’re right for this role, we’d love to hear from you.

Click the button below to apply now.

Struggling with the form? Please email [email protected] with ‘Barista/Kitchen Assistant’ in the subject line, along with your CV and a cover letter, telling us why you want to join Applaud Coffee and communicating your experience and suitability for the position.