Cafe Worker CV Example
For cafe and coffee shop professionals who combine barista skills with friendly customer service. Showcases your ability to prepare beverages, handle food safely, and create a welcoming atmosphere.
Recommended template: CreativePro
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Mention specific coffee machines and brewing methods you are experienced with for credibility.
- Highlight any barista training courses or certifications you have completed.
- Include your food hygiene certificate level and allergen awareness training.
- Show enthusiasm for coffee culture and customer experience to stand out from other applicants.
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Upgrade to ProHow to Write Your Cafe Worker CV
A cafe worker CV should convey your enthusiasm for customer service, your barista competence, and your commitment to food hygiene. Employers want to see that you can keep up with a busy counter while maintaining a friendly, welcoming attitude. Whether you are an experienced barista or applying for your first cafe role, your CV should highlight practical skills and a genuine passion for the cafe environment.
CV Structure
Follow a reverse-chronological layout with a brief profile, work experience, skills, and education. For each role, mention the cafe brand or style, daily customer volume, and your core duties. Include two to three achievements that demonstrate your impact — customer feedback scores, upselling results, or hygiene audit outcomes. Keep the CV to one page unless you have extensive experience.
CV Format
Use a simple, clean template that is easy to read quickly. Cafe managers often review CVs in short breaks between service, so clarity and brevity are key. Use bullet points for responsibilities and ensure your food hygiene and barista qualifications are easy to spot.
CV Profile Examples
Experienced Cafe Worker
Friendly and efficient cafe worker with three years of experience in independent coffee shops and artisan bakeries across Bristol. Skilled in espresso extraction, latte art, and preparing a range of hot and cold beverages alongside light food items. Holds a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and consistently receives positive customer feedback for speed of service and welcoming manner.
Part-Time Cafe Worker
Reliable and enthusiastic cafe team member balancing part-time hospitality work with college studies over the past eighteen months. Comfortable operating commercial espresso machines, processing payments through Clover POS, and maintaining a clean, inviting cafe environment. Keen to develop barista skills further while contributing to a positive customer experience.
Career-Change Cafe Worker
Personable professional with a background in retail customer service, now pursuing a passion for specialty coffee and cafe culture. Recently completed an accredited barista course covering extraction techniques, milk steaming, and coffee bean origins. Brings strong people skills and a methodical approach to food preparation and hygiene compliance.
Write a two-to-three sentence summary stating your experience level, the types of cafes you have worked in, and your strongest skills. Mention any barista training or food hygiene certification.
Key Skills for Your Cafe Worker CV
Barista Skills
Preparing espresso-based drinks, filter coffee, and specialty beverages to consistent quality standards.
Espresso Machine Operation
Operating, calibrating, and cleaning commercial espresso machines such as La Marzocca, Nuova Simonelli, or Sage.
Food Preparation
Assembling sandwiches, salads, and light meals safely while following allergen and hygiene protocols.
Customer Service
Greeting customers warmly, taking orders efficiently, and resolving any issues to ensure a positive cafe experience.
Till Operation
Processing cash, card, and contactless payments accurately using POS systems and reconciling at end of shift.
Hygiene Standards
Maintaining a clean workspace and following food safety regulations including temperature monitoring and surface sanitisation.
Stock Replenishment
Monitoring stock levels and restocking consumables, food items, and display products throughout the trading day.
Multitasking
Managing multiple drink orders, food requests, and customer queries simultaneously during busy service periods.
Work Experience Examples
For each role, describe the cafe setting and your typical duties. Focus on beverage preparation, customer interaction, and hygiene compliance. Include at least one quantified achievement per role — such as customer ratings, upselling performance, or training contributions — to set your CV apart from generic applications.
Cafe Worker
Boston Tea Party, Bristol
Provided counter service and barista duties in a popular independent cafe serving an average of 250 customers per day across breakfast and lunch sittings.
Responsibilities
- Prepared espresso-based drinks, filter coffee, teas, and specialty beverages to the cafe's quality standards.
- Assembled and served breakfast items, sandwiches, and cakes, checking allergen information with customers as required.
- Operated the till, processed card and contactless payments, and reconciled the cash drawer at end of shift.
- Maintained cleanliness of the counter, dining area, and restrooms in line with food hygiene regulations.
- Restocked milk, syrups, cups, and food display items throughout the day to ensure availability during peak periods.
Achievements
- Achieved a 4.8 out of 5 average customer rating on internal feedback cards over a six-month review period.
- Trained two new team members on espresso machine operation and cafe service procedures during their first week.
- Reduced morning beverage wait times by reorganising the coffee station layout in consultation with the manager.
Barista
Costa Coffee, Bath
Delivered fast, friendly service in a high-street coffee shop averaging 350 transactions per day during peak trading periods.
Responsibilities
- Made a full range of hot and cold beverages following Costa's standard recipes and presentation guidelines.
- Upsold food items, loyalty cards, and seasonal promotions to increase average transaction value.
- Cleaned and calibrated the espresso machine at opening and closing, reporting any faults to the shift supervisor.
- Completed daily temperature checks on fridges and display units, recording results in the food safety log.
Achievements
- Recognised as Barista of the Month for exceeding upselling targets by 22% during the autumn promotional campaign.
- Maintained a zero-incident record during two unannounced food safety audits conducted within a nine-month period.
Education & Qualifications
List your food hygiene certificate first, followed by any barista training courses. Include GCSEs or equivalent qualifications afterwards. If you are studying at college or university, mention this alongside your availability for shifts.
Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate
Mandatory certification for anyone handling food in a commercial setting, covering food safety principles and practice.
Accredited Barista Course
Training in espresso extraction, milk texturing, and latte art, typically delivered by the Speciality Coffee Association or similar body.
Level 2 Award in Food Allergen Awareness
Certification covering the 14 major allergens and how to communicate allergen information to customers.
First Aid at Work Certificate
Practical qualification in workplace first aid, valued by employers for health and safety compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include on a cafe worker CV with no experience?
Do I need barista training to work in a cafe?
How do I describe cafe work on my CV?
Should I mention my availability on a cafe worker CV?
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