Position OverviewThe Barista is responsible for providing exceptional beverage service and creating memorable guest experiences at The Café by Chef Emeril at Fairmont New Orleans. This position prepares and serves high-quality coffee, espresso beverages, teas, and other café offerings while maintaining exceptional standards of presentation, product quality, cleanliness, and efficiency. The Barista serves as an ambassador of Fairmont New Orleans, creating warm and personalized interactions with guests while supporting the café's daily operations, revenue goals, and luxury service standards.ResponsibilitiesConsistently provide professional, warm, engaging, and personalized service while representing Fairmont New Orleans and The Café by Chef Emeril.Welcome guests promptly and create a positive first impression through attentive, knowledgeable, and genuine hospitality.Prepare and serve high-quality coffee, espresso beverages, teas, specialty beverages, and other café offerings according to established recipes and presentation standards.Demonstrate knowledge of coffee varieties, espresso preparation, brewing methods, teas, ingredients, flavor profiles, and available café offerings.Operate espresso machines, coffee brewers, grinders, blenders, point-of-sale systems, and other café equipment safely and efficiently.Accurately take and process guest orders through the POS system and ensure orders are prepared and served correctly and efficiently.Maintain consistency in beverage preparation, portioning, temperature, presentation, and quality throughout service.Provide knowledgeable recommendations and assist guests in selecting beverages, food items, and other café offerings based on their preferences.Utilize suggestive selling and upselling techniques to promote premium beverages, pastries, food items, specialty offerings, and other hotel experiences.Maintain thorough knowledge of The Café by Chef Emeril menu, ingredients, pricing, promotions, hours of operation, and seasonal offerings.Communicate ingredient information, dietary considerations, and allergen information accurately and escalate questions or concerns to appropriate culinary leadership when necessary.Anticipate guest needs and proactively provide assistance to create a seamless and memorable café experience.Handle guest questions, concerns, and service recovery opportunities promptly and professionally, escalating issues to leadership when appropriate.Maintain accurate cash handling, payment processing, and POS procedures in accordance with hotel policies and internal controls.Maintain cleanliness, organization, and presentation of the café counter, beverage stations, dining areas, equipment, storage areas, and guest-facing spaces.Perform regular cleaning and sanitation of espresso machines, grinders, coffee equipment, counters, utensils, glassware, and other café equipment in accordance with established procedures.Monitor inventory levels of coffee, tea, milk, syrups, garnishes, pastries, food products, cups, and other supplies and communicate replenishment needs to leadership.Follow proper food handling, storage, labeling, rotation, temperature control, and sanitation procedures in accordance with Fairmont standards and applicable regulations.Practice proper FIFO product rotation and minimize waste through effective product utilization and inventory awareness.Assist with opening, closing, stocking, and breakdown procedures for The Café by Chef Emeril.Coordinate effectively with Culinary, Food & Beverage, Stewarding, Front Office, In-Room Dining, and other hotel departments to support seamless operations.Support VIP arrivals, special occasions, hotel events, group functions, and other special experiences as assigned.Participate in daily briefings, departmental meetings, training sessions, pre-opening initiatives, and hotel-wide programs as required.Contribute to the establishment of café service procedures, beverage standards, workflows, and guest experience practices as part of the Fairmont New Orleans pre-opening team.Maintain a professional appearance consistent with Fairmont New Orleans grooming, uniform, and personal presentation standards.Maintain a positive, respectful, collaborative, and guest-focused working environment consistent with Fairmont's values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, Accountability, and Excellence.Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to support other Food & Beverage operations based on business needs.Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.
