Barista

Connell-Foundation-Food-Group-LL; Berkeley Heights (NJ); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Employee dining perks

Training & growth opportunities

Ground-up brand opportunity

Job summary

Café Exchange in Berkeley Heights is opening as a welcoming gathering place blending culture, coffee, and community. We seek baristas who bring warmth, personality, and genuine hospitality to every interaction, preparing thoughtful beverages and serving wine while creating a memorable guest experience from entry to exit.

You will learn the full menu, work across beverages and light food service, and contribute to a refined, comfortable space that reflects Café Exchange’s elevated hospitality

Qualifications

• Previous barista, café, deli, restaurant, wine bar, or hospitality experience preferred.
• Genuine interest in coffee, beverages, hospitality, and elevating guest experience.
• Comfort moving between coffee and beverage prep, light food service, register duties, and guest service.
• Strong communication skills and ability to connect with guests while staying polished.
• Confidence in making thoughtful menu recommendations.
• Ability to work efficiently while maintaining quality and presentation.
• Dependability, good judgment, and a team-first mindset.
• Stay composed, attentive, and guest-focused in a fast-paced environment.
• Availability for a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform physical duties.
• Current TIPS certification before first day.

Responsibilities

• Prepare espresso beverages, brewed coffee, tea, specialty drinks, wine, and other beverages with consistency and presentation.
• Create a warm, polished guest experience that is personal and attentive.
• Develop strong knowledge of the full menu and guide guests with thoughtful recommendations.
• Serve alcoholic beverages responsibly per laws and standards.
• Maintain a clean, organized café environment throughout the day.
• Accurately process orders and payments with efficient, guest-focused service.
• Support deli, pastry, and light food service with same care as beverages.
• Follow food safety, sanitation, responsible alcohol service, and safety procedures.

Skills

Barista experience

Customer service

Communication skills

TIPS certification

Flexibility

Attention to presentation

Job description

Description

Café Exchange is a new gathering place coming to The Park in Berkeley Heights, blending culture, coffee, and community in a space designed for connection, conversation, and a little time to unwind. With artisan drinks, fresh pastries, live events, and a cozy library-inspired atmosphere, Café Exchange is being built as a place people will want to return to throughout the day, whether they’re meeting a friend, settling in with a book, getting some work done, or simply enjoying great hospitality.

We’re looking for Baristas who bring warmth, personality, and genuine hospitality to every interaction. You’ll prepare thoughtfully crafted coffee and specialty beverages, serve wine and other select alcoholic beverages, help create a welcoming atmosphere, and play an important role in shaping the guest experience from the moment they walk through the door. This is an opportunity to join Café Exchange from the start and help build a place people want to return to again and again.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Prepare espresso beverages, brewed coffee, tea, specialty drinks, wine, and other select alcoholic beverages with consistency, precision, and attention to presentation.
• Create a warm, polished guest experience that feels personal, attentive, and distinctly Café Exchange.
• Develop a strong knowledge of the full food and beverage menu and confidently guide guests with thoughtful recommendations.
• Serve alcoholic beverages responsibly and in accordance with all applicable laws, company policies, and elevated service standards.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and beautifully presented café environment throughout the day.
• Accurately process orders and payments while delivering efficient, composed, guest-focused service.
• Support deli, pastry, and light food service, including preparing, presenting, and serving menu items with the same attention to quality and presentation as our beverage program.
• Follow food safety, sanitation, responsible alcohol service, and workplace safety requirements consistently and with care.
• Work closely with the Café Exchange team to create a seamless experience across every part of the guest journey, from arrival through departure.
• Take ownership of the details that make the space feel refined, comfortable, and intentionally cared for.

Requirements

What You’ll Bring

• Previous barista, café, deli, restaurant, wine bar, or hospitality experience preferred.
• A genuine interest in coffee, beverages, hospitality, and creating an elevated guest experience.
• Comfort moving between coffee and beverage preparation, light food service, register responsibilities, and guest service throughout the day.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to connect naturally with guests while maintaining a polished, professional presence.
• Confidence in making thoughtful recommendations and guiding guests through the menu.
• Ability to work efficiently while maintaining quality, consistency, and attention to presentation.
• Dependability, sound judgment, and a team-first mindset.
• Ability to remain composed, attentive, and guest-focused in a fast-paced environment.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform the physical requirements of the role.
• Current TIPS certification before your first day.

Supporting Your Success

• Medical coverage with employer contribution
• Generous employer-funded retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Employee dining and hospitality perks across The Park
• Opportunities for training, development, and growth within Table & Banter Hospitality
• The opportunity to join Café Exchange from the ground up and help shape a brand-new hospitality experience

Café Exchange is a chance to build something extraordinary from the very beginning. We’re looking for people who want to bring energy, pride, and genuine hospitality to a brand-new concept, and help create the kind of experience guests remember long after they leave. This is your opportunity to join the opening team and help set the standard for what Café Exchange becomes. We look forward to hearing from you and learning more about how you will enrich our guests' experiences.

While we leverage technology to support our recruiting process, every application is personally reviewed by a member of our Human Resources team because we recognize that behind every resume is a person, a career journey, and a genuine interest in joining our organization.

Table & Banter Hospitality is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and respected. We make all employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex, pregnancy or breastfeeding, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for military service, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We believe exceptional hospitality begins with exceptional people and are committed to creating a workplace where every team member can thrive. We participate in the federal E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility for newly hired employees.