Head Barista
La Maison Bistro — Church Lane, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1DW A Coffee Culture company
About Us
La Maison is a reimagined neighbourhood bistro inspired by French tradition, tucked down a cobbled lane in the heart of Ledbury. We're owned and run by Jon Hamilton, who also own Coffee Culture — an award-winning, independent coffee roastery based in Worcestershire with sites in ledbury and Droitwich Spa alongside La Maison.
Our coffee is roasted in-house, and La Maison serves it as part of a comfortable, intimate breakfast, lunch experience. We're a young, growing, family-run business with a genuine passion for good coffee, good food, and good conversation — and we're looking for someone who shares that.
The Role
We're looking for an experienced Head Barista to take ownership of the coffee programme at La Maison. You'll be the person who sets the standard — for the drinks themselves, for the team serving them, and for the experience our customers have every time they walk through the door.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, train, and motivate the barista team, setting a consistent standard for every drink served
- Ensure every espresso-based drink showcases our in-house roasted blends properly — correct dial-in, extraction, and milk texture every time
- Maintain and calibrate coffee equipment (espresso machine, grinders), flagging any servicing needs promptly
- Manage coffee and consumables stock, including ordering beans, milk, and syrups in line with demand
- Uphold food hygiene, health & safety, and allergen standards across the coffee bar
- Deliver warm, attentive customer service that reflects La Maison's relaxed, conversational atmosphere
- Train new starters in latte art, milk steaming, and coffee knowledge
- Work with the owners on seasonal specials and ideas for the drinks menu
- Support the wider front-of-house team during busy breakfast, lunch, and weekend evening service
What We're Looking For
- Solid barista experience, ideally with some time spent leading or mentoring others
- Confident, consistent latte art and milk texturing skills
- A genuine interest in speciality coffee — roast profiles, origins, and what makes a great cup
- A calm, organised head under pressure during busy services
- A friendly, hospitable manner that puts customers at ease
- Flexibility to work across our opening hours, Monday to Saturday, including some evening shifts
- A Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate is desirable (or willingness to obtain one)
- Right to work in the UK
What We Offer
- Competitive salary, dependent on experience
- Staff discount on food, drink, and Coffee Culture retail beans
- Free coffee and staff meals on shift
- Ongoing training, with the opportunity to learn more about roasting at our Worcestershire roastery
- A genuine career path within a small but growing independent group, with sites in Ledbury, Malvern, and Droitwich Spa
- A warm, supportive team in a beautiful Herefordshire market town
Hours
La Maison is open 9:30am–4pm, Monday to Saturday.
How to Apply
Send your CV and a short note about yourself here.
Pay: £13.50 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
