Barista (FT/PT)

JOB TITLE: Barista (Food & Beverage & Guest Experience)

JOB TYPE: Full and Part-time, Morning/Afternoon Shift

PAY: $10 per hour plus tips

REPORTS TO: F&B Manager, Property Leadership: Innkeeper, Assistant Innkeeper

OUR WHY

At The Gables, we are humble ambassadors of our community. We believe hospitality begins with kindness, curiosity, and a genuine desire to care for others. Through thoughtful details, intentional design, and authentic, meaningful connections, we create experiences where every guest feels welcomed, valued, and at home.

OUR CORE VALUES

INSPIRE WONDER Innovation and Creativity | Surprise and Delight

FOSTER HOSPITALITY Inclusive Culture | Home Away from Home

PURSUE EXCELLENCE Exceptional Experiences | Attention to Detail | Focus on Quality

DEMONSTRATE INTENTIONALITY Empathetic Engagement | Anticipatory Service | Sense of Ownership

CULTIVATE COMMUNITY Team Collaboration | Community Engagement | Take Time to Celebrate

POSITION SUMMARY:

As a Barista at The Gables, you help set the tone at Alcove through skilled coffee preparation, thoughtful service, strong menu knowledge, and genuine care for hotel guests and neighborhood visitors.

You open Alcove for daily service, prepare consistently excellent coffee and espresso beverages, support breakfast and lunch service, and help maintain product, presentation, and inventory standards. As part of a small cross-trained team, you are also expected to build proficiency in Alcove’s broader beverage program and step in where service needs support.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE:

A Successful Barista:

• Creates consistently excellent coffee and espresso beverages while maintaining a warm, polished guest experience.

• Knows the menu, anticipates guest needs, and confidently guides guests through food, coffee, and beverage offerings.

• Takes ownership of opening readiness, communicates inventory or quality issues early, and embraces cross-training.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Food and Beverage Preparation and Service

• Open and prepare Alcove for service, including equipment setup, coffee preparation, stocking, food prep, cleanliness, and guest-facing presentation.

• Prepare espresso, coffee, and other beverages to established recipes and standards, including dialing in, extraction, milk steaming, and equipment care.

• Support breakfast and lunch service and, once trained, prepare Alcove’s wine, beer, aperitif, cocktail, and non-alcoholic offerings as needed.

Guest Service and Menu Knowledge

• Maintain strong knowledge of the full Alcove menu and make thoughtful, confident recommendations.

• Welcome hotel guests and neighborhood visitors warmly, learn preferences when possible, and remain attentive to opportunities to personalize their experience.

• Provide helpful guidance about The Gables and Raleigh, connecting guests with another team member when additional assistance is needed.

Cash Handling, Inventory and Product Management

• Accurately enter orders, process payments, and follow established cash-handling procedures.

• Monitor coffee, food, beverage, serviceware, and supply levels and communicate shortages or quality concerns before they affect service.

• Receive, label, rotate, store, and organize products according to established procedures.

Cleanliness, Equipment, Health, and Safety

• Keep coffee, beverage, food preparation, service, and guest-facing areas clean, organized, and fully stocked.

• Clean and care for espresso equipment, grinders, glassware, smallwares, refrigeration, and other Alcove equipment; report maintenance or safety concerns promptly.

• Follow all applicable food handling, sanitation, health, safety, and responsible alcohol service requirements.

Communication, Teamwork, and Property Support

• Communicate openly with guests, teammates, and management about anything that may affect service or the guest experience.

• Support events, private gatherings, catering, and teammates across Alcove as business needs change.

• Participate actively in cross-training and leave Alcove organized, stocked, and ready for the next service.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Must be 21 years of age.

Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Must meet all applicable legal requirements for serving alcoholic beverages in North Carolina.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience & Skills

• Previous professional barista experience with strong espresso preparation, dialing, extraction, milk steaming, beverage construction, and equipment-care skills.

• Ability to follow established recipes while maintaining quality, presentation, and efficiency across varying service volumes.

• Warm, confident guest-service skills and the ability to learn menus and make recommendations naturally.

• Working knowledge of food handling and sanitation, with the ability to independently manage opening tasks, priorities, and product levels.

• Dependable attendance and flexibility to work early mornings, weekends, holidays, and varying shifts.

• Willingness to learn Alcove’s broader beverage program is required; bartending, wine, catering, or event experience is a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to be on your feet and alert for extended periods and lift up to 45 lbs. as needed.

• Continuous use of hands and arms, including repetitive motions associated with beverage and food preparation.

• Ability to bend, reach, lift, twist, and safely work around hot equipment, liquids, glassware, and food preparation areas.

• Maintains a polished, professional appearance consistent with The Gables’ hospitality standards.

If you love great coffee, thoughtful hospitality, and being part of a small collaborative team, we'd love to meet you.

Note: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor.