Job Description
Food Service - Part-time
About Us
The Pantry of Forest Hills is a modern café and market serving specialty coffee, fresh pastries, soups, quiche, grab-and-go meals, flowers, and curated grocery goods. As a sister shop to The Pantry of Ada, we’re built on community, quality, and hospitality — creating a welcoming place for guests to gather and enjoy good food and great company.
Job Summary
We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Cafe Associate/Barista to join our team in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have a passion for the food industry and possess strong customer service skills. This role involves various responsibilities, including food preparation, cashiering, barista duties, and ensuring a high standard of cleanliness and sanitation in the workplace. The associate will play a key role in delivering an exceptional dining experience to our customers.
As a Café Associate, you’ll be at the center of what makes The Pantry special — warm hospitality, delicious food, and friendly service. This role combines barista, server, and host responsibilities, making it ideal for someone who enjoys variety and thrives in a positive, people-first environment.
Duties
- Prepare food and beverage items according to recipes
- Maintain high standards of quality and speed of service.
- Prepare ordered drinks, including espresso drinks from our espresso machine. Barista history not required.
- Operate point-of-sale (POS) systems, including Aloha POS and Micros POS, to process customer transactions efficiently.
- Provide excellent customer service by engaging with guests with warmth and professionalism, taking orders, and addressing any inquiries or concerns.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of the front of house and dining areas, adhering to food safety and cleanliness guidelines.
- Handle cash transactions accurately and responsibly while ensuring proper cash handling procedures are followed.
- Assist with bussing tables and maintaining a clean dining environment for guests.
- Follow food safety protocols during food handling and preparation to ensure compliance with health regulations.
- Collaborate with team members to ensure smooth operations in a quick-service or fast-food restaurant setting.
- Communicate with management about guest feedback and business needs
Qualifications
- A positive, friendly attitude and love for community is essential.
- Strong time management skills to handle multiple tasks efficiently in a busy environment.
- Basic math skills for cash handling and retail math calculations.
- Knowledge of food safety practices and sanitation standards in the kitchen.
- Ability to work well in a team-oriented atmosphere while also being self-motivated.
- Experience in serving, bussing, or cashiering within a cafe or similar setting is beneficial.
- A commitment to providing outstanding customer service and creating a positive experience for all guests.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: From $20.00 per hour
Expected hours: 12 – 24 per week
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Paid training
Work Location: In person. 850 Forest Hill Ave. Grand Rapids, MI 49546