Job Description

: Barista - Tea, Coffee & Mocktail Specialist - Luxury Bakery & Restaurant

Location: Cape Town

Reports to: Beverage Manager / Restaurant Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Concept:

Laduree is a luxury all-day dining concept combining artisanal bakery creations, elegant cuisine, and a premium beverage experience in a refined and visually striking environment. Our beverage offering includes specialty coffees, curated teas, and innovative mocktails. We are looking for an experienced Barista who is equally skilled in preparing premium beverages and delivering refined hospitality service.

Position Summary:

The Barista is responsible for crafting exceptional tea, coffee, and alcohol-free cocktails (mocktails), ensuring that every drink reflects the brand's luxury standards. This role requires precision, creativity, and efficiency, alongside guest-facing service excellence in a high-volume environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Prepare high-quality espresso-based beverages, pour-over coffees, and signature tea blends.

Design, mix, and serve alcohol-free mocktails using fresh ingredients, syrups, and garnishes.

Maintain cleanliness and organization of the beverage station, ensuring compliance with hygiene standards.

Engage with guests confidently to take beverage orders, offer suggestions, and customize drinks based on preferences.

Control beverage quality, temperature, consistency, and presentation before serving.

Support restaurant service by preparing beverages promptly during peak service hours.

Restock barista station and requisition necessary ingredients, tea leaves, coffee beans, and barware.

Assist in training junior baristas or service staff on beverage standards and preparation techniques.

Ensure that all equipment (espresso machines, grinders, blenders) is properly maintained and cleaned.

Participate in seasonal drink development and contribute ideas for new offerings.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

Minimum 2-4 years of barista experience in a premium hospitality or specialty cafe setting.

Proficient in manual and automatic espresso machines, grinder calibration, and latte art.

Knowledge of specialty teas, herbal infusions, and modern brewing techniques.

Experience preparing cold brews, nitro coffee, mocktails, smoothies, and health-conscious drinks.

Ability to handle high-volume beverage orders efficiently without compromising quality.

Fluent in English with strong interpersonal and guest interaction skills.

Understanding of HACCP and food safety practices for beverage operations.

Preferred Attributes:

Creative and passionate about the art of beverage preparation.

Energetic, organized, and detail-oriented under pressure.

Flexible team player with a proactive approach to guest satisfaction.

Strong sense of aesthetics and commitment to product presentation.

Package & Benefits:

Competitive Salary

Monthly Service Charge / Tips Eligibility

Uniform & Grooming Allowance

Health Insurance

Staff Meals & Discounts

Annual Leave & Public Holidays

Ongoing Training & Beverage Certification Supportpports the General Manager in overseeing daily operations across front-of-house and back-of-house teams. This role requires a proactive leader with a strong understanding of luxury hospitality, guest service, and operational efficiency. The successful candidate will act as a bridge between the management team and the floor, helping drive performance, train staff, and maintain excellence in all guest interactions.

Key Responsibilities:

Support the General Manager in the day-to-day operation of the restaurant, bakery, and bar.

Lead floor operations during service hours, ensuring smooth flow and attention to detail.

Supervise and motivate FOH staff, ensuring adherence to brand standards and SOPs.

Act as Manager-on-Duty in the absence of the General Manager, making key operational decisions.

Monitor guest experience and resolve complaints or service issues with professionalism and discretion.

Assist with labor scheduling, shift planning, and team deployment.

Support inventory management, stock control, and supplier coordination.

Train and coach team members to maintain performance, grooming, and guest engagement standards.

Coordinate with kitchen, pastry, and bar teams to maintain service synergy and timely execution.

Help implement marketing initiatives, in-store activations, and special event setups.

Participate in recruitment, onboarding, and performance appraisals as needed.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

5-7 years of experience in luxury or premium casual hospitality, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or assistant manager role.

Proven ability to lead high-performing teams in high-volume, guest-facing environments.

Knowledge of bakery, all-day dining, and beverage/bar service operations.

Proficient in POS systems, reservations platforms, and reporting tools.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills in English; additional languages (e.g., French, Arabic) are a plus.

Understanding of health, safety, and food hygiene standards.

Available to work flexible hours, weekends, and holidays.

Preferred Attributes:

Passion for refined hospitality and delivering memorable guest experiences.

Detail-oriented, organized, and confident in a fast-paced service environment.

Hands-on leader who leads by example and inspires the team.

Calm under pressure with strong problem-solving abilities.

Package & Benefits:

Competitive Salary

Monthly Performance Bonus / Service Charge

Staff Discounts & Meals

Medical Insurance

Annual Leave & Public Holidays

Uniform & Grooming Allowance

Professional Development & Career Growth Pathway

Job Type: Full-time

Application Question(s):

How would you represent a luxury brand like Laduree? What is your definition of hospitality and how would you align that to your role? How do you handle unhappy guests? How many years of experience do you have in this role? Are you comfortable in a fast-paced environment? What is your current salary, and what are your salary expectations for this role? Are you available on weekends and holidays? Number of dependents. Are you available Full time?
Work Location: In person