Barista - Dark Horse - St Clair

Big League Food Company; Toronto; On-site; CAD 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Dark Horse Espresso Bar in Toronto is seeking Baristas for our lively shops who share a passion for exceptional coffee and community. You will join a team that values service, learning, and growth, with paid training and clear opportunities to advance.

The role emphasizes customer service, accuracy in drink preparation, and collaboration across café operations. Ideal candidates bring 1 year barista experience, 2 years hospitality, and interest in specialty coffee.

Qualifications

• Barista experience: 1 year.
• Hospitality: 2 years.
• Specialty coffee: 1 year.
• Comfortable with POS, scheduling and purchasing software.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional customer service in a warm, inclusive environment.
• Prepare coffee beverages per recipes with accurate dial-ins.
• Support all café offerings including food, pastries, and merchandising.
• Represent Dark Horse within the Toronto specialty coffee community.
• Follow policies including cash handling and safety protocols.
• Take food and beverage orders using the POS system.

Skills

Barista experience

Hospitality

Specialty coffee

Tools

POS systems

Scheduling software

Purchasing systems

Job description

Dark Horse Espresso Bar is a pioneer in the Toronto specialty coffee community and has become a hotspot attracting those who like great coffee, handmade pastries, and a comfortable environment. The inspiration for Dark Horse came from a desire to create an environment where people would feel a sense of belonging. A place where they could come to relax, reflect or socialize, and re-energize with seriously great coffee. Over the past 15 years, we have evolved from one beloved neighborhood cafe to a collection of six shops in vibrant neighborhoods across the city.

About The Position

At Dark Horse, we are looking for Baristas for our Toronto locations who share our passion for exceptional coffee and vibrant community, and who thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented environment. Ideal candidates bring a natural talent for customer service and a genuine enthusiasm for developing their skills within the coffee industry. We’re proud to offer a supportive workplace where Baristas can learn, grow, and advance, with paid training and clear opportunities for career development.

General Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional customer service while fostering a warm, inclusive environment
• Prepare coffee beverages according to company recipes, with a strong emphasis on accurate dial-ins
• Support all café offerings, including food, pastries, and merchandising
• Represent Dark Horse within the Toronto specialty coffee community
• Offer constructive feedback to management to help improve processes
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of food service operations by providing strategic recommendations
• Execute tasks such as ordering, inventory management, and queue management when needed
• Follow all operational policies and procedures, including cash handling, safety, and security protocols
• Take food and beverage orders using the POS system when required
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift 25–30 pounds
• Possess basic math skills and the ability to handle cash transactions
• Adhere to all health and safety policies
• Act with integrity, honesty, and professionalism that reflects the culture, values, and mission of Dark Horse
• Maintain regular attendance and consistent punctuality

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Well-developed personal brand and a proven ability to build relationships across an industry.
• A proven executor that has participated the successful growth of food properties
• Comfortable with key hospitality software including POS, scheduling and purchasing systems
• An insatiable curiosity and willingness to learn, anchored in a constant pursuit of personal development
• Can inspire and influence staff, consumers and other stakeholders
• A positive ambassador with strong communication skills and a genuine kindness, thoughtfulness.

Must Have

• Barista experience : 1 year
• Hospitality: 2 years
• Specialty coffee : 1 year

Schedule and Pay

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed
• Compensation $18.00 to $18.50(Plus tips)

Big League Food Company is the next generation of beloved food brands.

Our current brand portfolio includes Village Juicery, Dark Horse Espresso, Detour Coffee, Dear Grain Bakery.

What we Offer

• A fast-paced environment with ambitious growth and plenty of opportunity to grow Delicious products to delight your senses

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and respect, value and welcome diversity in our workplace. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, accommodation will be provided to candidates with disabilities during the recruitment and selection process. If you are invited to participate in the process and require an accommodation, please let us know in advance.