Chai Barista

About Us:

elaichi co. was founded as a space centered around our South Asian identity. We take immense pride in our culture and want to share it with the world, one cup of chai at a time. We are hyper focused on providing our unique brand of hospitality to everyone we interact with, staying true to our guiding principle of treating everyone like Mehmaan (honored guest).

We're looking for a chai barista who's passionate about delivering experiences true to our brand and mission You'll master our techniques, grow both personally and professionally, and thrive in a supportive, dynamic team. You'll also expand your knowledge of food and beverage quality, preparation, and presentation, all while keeping a positive attitude. You'll learn everything from making chai, to cafe operations and maintenance, and yes, also coffee. While we serve espresso-based drinks, our customers are obsessed with our chai, so you will most likely be making a lot of it

We believe a barista is more than someone who just makes drinks, they are a steward of the cafe. That means that you will be spending as much time taking care of the cafe and the people in it, as you will making drinks. Success at elaichi co. means taking pride in your work and always looking to improve at what you do. If you're ready to learn and grow with us, we'd love to meet you

Our baristas start at the advertised wage, with the opportunity for a raise after a successful 3-month onboarding and performance review. We're conveniently located in downtown Berkeley, just steps from the UC Berkeley campus and Downtown Berkeley BART station.

Barista Responsibilities:

• Create a welcoming atmosphere for guests by listening to and understanding customer needs.
• Providing suggestions, answering questions, and efficiently handling orders and payments.
• Skillfully prepare and serve our signature chais, baked goods, and espresso drinks.
• Efficiently package to-go orders and manage sales through delivery platforms.
• Promote and sell our range of packaged products, including coffee, tea blends, and merchandise.
• Maintain an attractive cafe environment through regular updates to signage and displays.
• Ensure cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen, restrooms, and dining areas, including tasks like dishwashing, trash disposal, and sanitizing equipment.
• Keep track of inventory, restocking display cases, tables, and counters as necessary.
• Start learning about our coffee program after onboarding.
• Strictly adhere to all food safety regulations and maintain high standards of quality control.
• Actively contribute to the cafe's culture and growth by participating in or leading improvement and innovation projects.
• Work collaboratively in a high-energy team, maintaining a clean, beautiful, and safe cafe environment for both staff and customers.

Barista Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent with possession of a valid Food Handler's Card.
• Experience in some form of customer service preferred.
• Willingness to continue learning about food and beverage preparation and methods, and be trained on our coffee equipment.
• Ability to work flexible hours including nights, early mornings, weekends, and holidays, and manage both opening or closing shifts.
• Ability to walk, bend, and stand for extended periods, including being able to lift items up to 30 pounds.
• Exceptional listening, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• A polite, engaging and positive personality.
• Strong commitment to customer satisfaction, high quality standards, and excellent service.
• Willingness to work as part of a high-energy, efficient team in a fast-paced environment.

Our core values:

We lead with action by staying proactive, flexible, and focused. Owning outcomes from start to finish, adapting quickly, taking small steps toward big goals, and always building with the long game in mind.

We care about people by showing up with empathy, noticing the little things, and working together as one team to create meaningful moments and shared success.

We raise the bar by staying curious, pushing ourselves to grow, and taking pride in the craft, mastering the details that turn good into exceptional.

We do the right thing by leading with integrity, staying optimistic through challenges, and showing up with intention, honesty, and our best effort, every time.

Interview Process:

1. You will be sent a short screening questionnaire. Take time to review all the application questions. We use your answers to learn more about you and determine your fit at our company.

2. If selected, you will be invited to participate in a 30 minute virtual interview with one of our location Managers.

3. If selected, you will be invited to participate in a 90 minute trial shift at our cafe where you'll meet with some of our team and learn more about our culture.

4. Reference check stage.

Compensation:

Starting barista wage is $19.18-$20 plus tips (additional $5-8/hr), including 40 hours of paid sick leave. After a successful onboarding and performance review at the end of 3 months, the barista may be eligible for a wage increase.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $ $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Paid sick time
• Paid training
• Referral program

Work Location: In person