Barista

Job Overview

Bring energy and care to every café visit as a Barista. You’ll prepare coffee and other exciting beverages, serve food, process customer orders, and keep the service area clean and welcoming. This role suits someone who enjoys customer service, works well in a busy food service environment, and takes pride in accurate, friendly service.

Responsibilities

• Prepare coffee, drinks, and food according to recipes and food safety practices.
• Provide beverage service, drink service, and serving support while helping customers choose items and complete purchases.
• Operate point-of-sale (POS) systems, including Aloha POS or Micros POS when applicable; handle cashiering, cash transactions, and retail sales transactions accurately.
• Use basic math and retail math to process payments and check transactions.
• Clean and organize work areas, equipment, and service spaces; follow food handling and food preparation procedures.
• Deliver friendly, attentive customer service.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and inviting cafe environment.
• Restock supplies and assist with daily cafe operations.
• Work collaboratively with team members to ensure smooth service.

Your impact: Consistent, welcoming service helps customers enjoy a smooth café visit and supports a clean, safe experience for everyone.

Qualifications

• Customer service skills and clear communication; sales experience is helpful.
• Food service, food industry, café, coffee, or barista experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety, food handling, and beverage preparation is preferred.
• Comfort with POS systems, cashiering, cash handling, processing cash transactions, and basic math is an asset.
• Strong time management and attention to detail; able to balance drink service, food preparation, and cleaning tasks.
• Previous barista or food service experience is a plus, but not required.
• Positive attitude, reliability, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to learn and work as part of a team.
• Oversee daily cafe operations and ensure excellent customer service.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Excellent customer service and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to lead by example in a busy cafe environment.
• Friendly, motivated, and dependable team players.
• A passion for coffee and hospitality.
• Professionalism and a commitment to great customer experiences.

Why Work at Gold Coast Cafe?

At Gold Coast Cafe, you’re not just joining a coffee shop — you’re becoming part of a fresh, exciting vision in the heart of downtown Chicago! As an immigrant-owned business, we’re built on the values of hard work, resilience, community, and the belief that great things happen when people come together with passion and purpose.

We’re creating more than a place to grab coffee. We’re building a welcoming space where creativity is encouraged, ideas are valued, and every team member has the opportunity to make a difference. From experimenting with new flavors and creating unique beverages to helping shape our menu and elevate the customer experience, you’ll have the chance to bring your personality and ideas to the table.

Whether you’re an experienced barista or an aspiring coffee enthusiast, Gold Coast Cafe is a place to learn, grow, take initiative, and be part of something from the ground up. We’re looking for people who are excited to innovate, love connecting with others, and want to help build something special.

Pay: $15.00 - $23.00 per hour

Expected hours: 15.0 – 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid training

Work Location: In person