Master Barista and Smoothie Artisan

Now Hiring: Head Barista & Smoothie Artisan We're a garden café rooted in seasonal ingredients, intentional living, and really good drinks. At The Porch, every glass that leaves the counter tells a story — from the ceremonial matcha in our Alchemist to the Virginia peanut butter swirl in our Suffolk. We're looking for someone who genuinely loves what goes into a drink, not just what goes on top of it. About the Role You'll lead our beverage program from bar to blender. That means owning our full coffee and espresso menu, our signature smoothie lineup, and the specialty drinks that set us apart. You'll be the person who knows why we use 175°F water for our matcha, why our dragon fruit needs to hit a specific pink, and why the cold brew cubes in our Garden Mocha aren't just a party trick. This is a hands-on role with real creative input. Our menu is a living thing — weekly specials, seasonal additions, and new ideas are part of the job. If you've ever had an opinion about the difference between culinary and ceremonial grade matcha, you'll feel right at home. What You'll Do Daily Operations Open and close the bar, including batching cold foam, brewing cold brew, and prepping frozen cube trays (milk, cold brew, coconut water — yes, all three) Execute our full drink menu to spec, consistently and with care Prepare house-made components: chai concentrate (growler batches), strawberry maple purée, saffron-infused agave, and more Keep the bar stocked, clean, and organized throughout service Leadership Train and mentor junior bar staff on technique, recipe standards, and the why behind every ingredient Set the tone for bar culture — precise, curious, warm, and never rushed Own quality control across all beverages during your shift Menu Development Collaborate on seasonal specials and new smoothie concepts Bring ideas to the table: ingredients you're excited about, techniques you want to try, flavor combinations that make sense for who we are Help develop and document new recipes to keep our standards consistent as the team grows What We're Looking For Experience 2+ years in a specialty coffee or juice/smoothie bar environment Espresso calibration experience — you know how grind, dose, and temperature interact Comfort working with whole-food, functional, and adaptogenic ingredients (collagen, sea moss, lion's mane, colostrum, etc.) Skills & Knowledge Strong palate and genuine curiosity about ingredients Experience working with layered drinks, emulsification, and texture — our menu demands precision Familiarity with high-speed blenders (Vitamix or equivalent) Understanding of allergen awareness, especially for a menu that includes bee pollen, peanuts, and dairy alternatives Who You Are You take drinks seriously without taking yourself too seriously You move quickly without cutting corners You can train someone else to make a drink exactly the way you make it You care about where ingredients come from — local honey, A2 dairy, Virginia peanuts — and you can talk about that with guests Nice to Have Experience building or scaling a café beverage program Knowledge of latte art and espresso technique beyond the basics Familiarity with cold-process and layering techniques for visually striking drinks Interest in nutrition, functional wellness, or whole-food ingredients What We Offer Competitive hourly rate, commensurate with experience Creative input into a growing, independent menu Staff meals and beverage perks A genuinely beautiful place to work The chance to build something — we're growing, and we want the right people to grow with us To Apply Send a short note about yourself and why The Porch sounds like your kind of place. If you have photos of drinks you've made or menus you've worked on, we'd love to see them. No formal resume required — just tell us who you are. The Porch is an equal opportunity employer. We believe a great team reflects the community it serves. Employment Type: Full Time Salary: $25,000 - $40,000 Annual Bonus/Commission: No