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Head Barista - Kooké - London

Barista

2 hours ago9 views

We are a specialty and artisan café committed to exceptional coffee, consistency, and genuine hospitality. Every drink we serve reflects care, precision, and craft — from well-executed espresso to beautifully balanced milk drinks and hand-brewed coffee. We are building a team of professionals who take pride in quality, understand the details behind every cup, and want to be part of a café culture centred on standards, learning, and community.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced full-time Specialty Barista who brings strong technical coffee knowledge, excellent workflow, and a high standard of customer service. This role is for someone who is confident behind the machine, understands espresso recipes and extraction theory, and can consistently produce high-quality coffee in a fast-paced service environment.
This is not a basic barista position. We are looking for someone who already has solid specialty coffee experience and can confidently dial in espresso, maintain equipment properly, and deliver consistency throughout service.
Responsibilities

  • Prepare and serve consistently high-quality espresso-based drinks, milk drinks, pour-overs, and other specialty beverages
  • Dial in espresso daily and throughout service, adjusting grind, dose, yield, and shot time as needed to maintain flavour and consistency
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of coffee ratios, extraction times, and how to correct under-extracted or over-extracted shots
  • Texture milk to a high standard and produce clean, consistent latte art
  • Work confidently on a La Marzocco espresso machine
  • Operate, clean, calibrate, and maintain a Mahlkönig grinder to ensure optimal performance
  • Carry out routine cleaning and maintenance of all coffee equipment, including grinders, group heads, steam wands, baskets, showers, and backflushing procedures
  • Monitor espresso quality through regular taste checks and ensure drinks meet expected flavour profile and presentation standards
  • Maintain excellent workflow during busy periods without compromising quality
  • Keep the bar, equipment, and front-of-house area clean, organised, and fully stocked at all times
  • Monitor stock levels, report shortages promptly, and support ordering and inventory control
  • Follow all food safety, hygiene, and cleanliness standards consistently
  • Deliver warm, professional, and knowledgeable customer service
  • Share coffee knowledge with customers and team members and contribute to a strong specialty coffee culture
    Essential Requirements
  • Minimum 1–2 years’ experience in a specialty coffee environment
  • Strong practical knowledge of:
  • espresso recipes and brew ratios
  • shot timing and extraction control
  • grind adjustment and dial-in
  • milk texturing and latte art
  • coffee flavour balance and consistency
  • Experience working with La Marzocco coffee machines
  • Experience using and maintaining Mahlkönig grinders
  • Ability to explain how and why to adjust a shot when extraction is running too fast or too slow
  • Strong understanding of daily cleaning routines, preventative maintenance, and correct equipment care
  • Experience with stock control and café inventory management
  • Excellent attention to detail and pride in presentation, taste, and cleanliness
  • Calm, organised, and efficient under pressure
  • Reliable, punctual, and a strong team player
  • Good communication skills and a professional attitude
  • Food Hygiene / Food Safety certification preferred; this will be highly valued
  • Qualifications
  • Previous barista experience is advantageous but not essential; training will be provided for suitable candidates.
  • Knowledge of food safety standards and procedures is desirable.
  • Experience in serving customers in a fast-paced environment is preferred.
  • Basic food preparation skills are beneficial.
  • Good time management skills to handle multiple orders efficiently during busy periods.
  • Ability to perform basic maths accurately for cash handling purposes.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with a friendly attitude towards customers and colleagues.
  • Ability to work well under pressure while maintaining attention to detail. This role offers an engaging environment where you can develop your skills while providing exceptional service to our valued customers. We look forward to welcoming motivated individuals eager to contribute positively to our team!
    Ideal Candidate
    You are someone who understands that great coffee is not just about following a recipe. You know how to read a shot, taste for balance, and make informed adjustments. You care about workflow, cleanliness, consistency, and guest experience just as much as the final cup.
    What We Offer
  • Competitive pay based on experience
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Ongoing training and opportunities for growth
  • Supportive and quality-driven team environment
  • Access to premium specialty coffee
  • Opportunity to be part of a café that genuinely values craft and standards
    How to Apply
    Please apply through Indeed with:
  • your CV
  • a short cover letter outlining your specialty coffee experience
  • the espresso recipe or brew ratio you are most comfortable working with
  • how you would adjust a shot running too quickly
  • your favourite latte art pattern
    Please only apply if you have genuine hands-on specialty coffee experience and are confident working with espresso dial-in, grinder calibration, and machine care.
  • Experience
    Required
  • Languages
    English – Advanced
  • Employment
    Full-time
  • Schedule
    8am to 9 pm
  • Salary
    from £13 hourly
  • Starting time
    Immediate start!

pin icon127 Bayswater Road, W2 4RH, London

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Head BaristaLondon

Cafe • 1-10 Employees

Hiring on JOB TODAY since April, 2026

We are a specialty and artisan café committed to exceptional coffee, consistency, and genuine hospitality. Every drink we serve reflects care, precision, and craft — from well-executed espresso to beautifully balanced milk drinks and hand-b

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Alison H.Active 1 hour ago
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