Zara Blackwood

Barista

Phone: (555) 847-2936
Address: Portland, OR 97205
Website: https://zarabarista.portfolio.com
Email:
  • Passionate barista with 3+ years of specialty coffee experience, skilled in operating commercial espresso machines and creating intricate latte art while maintaining 98% order accuracy during peak hours
  • Expert in customer relationship building with proven ability to increase daily sales by 22% through personalized drink recommendations and exceptional service that turns first-time visitors into regular customers
  • Comprehensive knowledge of single-origin coffee varieties, brewing methods, and flavor profiles, combined with food safety certification and advanced cash handling proficiency
  • Thrives in fast-paced environments, consistently serving 200+ customers per shift while maintaining quality standards and fostering positive team collaboration

Work Experience

Roasted Dreams Coffee House

Senior Barista

March 2022 - Present
  • Crafted 180+ specialty coffee beverages daily during peak hours while maintaining 98% order accuracy, contributing to a 25% increase in customer retention through personalized service and expert drink recommendations
  • Mentored 6 new baristas in espresso extraction techniques, milk steaming, and latte art creation, reducing training time by 30% and improving overall team efficiency
  • Implemented inventory management system for coffee beans and supplies, reducing waste by 15% and ensuring consistent product availability during high-volume periods
  • Cultivated relationships with regular customers by memorizing over 50 personalized drink orders, resulting in 95% customer satisfaction ratings and increased tip revenue by 18%

Sunrise Café

Barista

June 2021 - February 2022
  • Operated La Marzocco espresso machines and various brewing equipment to prepare 150+ beverages per shift, maintaining quality standards during morning rush periods
  • Processed cash and card transactions with 99.8% accuracy using Square POS system, handling average daily sales of $2,500
  • Collaborated with team of 8 staff members to streamline workflow during peak hours, reducing average wait time from 8 minutes to 5 minutes
  • Educated customers on coffee origins and brewing methods, increasing sales of premium single-origin offerings by 20%

Artisan Market

Customer Service Associate

September 2020 - May 2021
  • Delivered exceptional customer service to 100+ daily customers in fast-paced retail environment, maintaining positive attitude during high-stress situations
  • Managed cash register operations and inventory tracking, demonstrating attention to detail and mathematical accuracy essential for coffee shop operations
  • Resolved customer complaints and special requests with 96% satisfaction rate, developing conflict resolution skills valuable for hospitality industry

Technical Coffee Skills

Commercial Espresso Operations

Proficient in operating commercial espresso machines including La Marzocco and Breville models, with expertise in milk steaming techniques for latte art creation

Advanced Brewing Methods

Advanced knowledge of coffee brewing methods including pour-over, French press, and cold brew extraction

Coffee Knowledge & Cupping

Comprehensive understanding of coffee origins, flavor profiles, and cupping techniques for quality assessment

Expert Latte Art

Expert-level latte art skills including rosetta, tulip, and heart designs

Customer Service & Operations

Customer Relationship Building

Exceptional customer service with emphasis on personalized drink recommendations and relationship building

Cash Handling & POS Systems

Advanced cash handling and POS system proficiency with 99.8% accuracy rate

High-Volume Operations

Superior multitasking abilities enabling efficient service during high-volume periods

Team Collaboration

Strong team collaboration and communication skills in fast-paced environments

Education

Portland Community College

Certificate in Culinary Arts

2020-2021
Relevant Coursework: Food Safety & Sanitation, Beverage Service, Customer Relations

Lincoln High School

High School Diploma

2020

Certifications

Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Barista Skills Foundation

Specialty Coffee Association

2022

ServSafe Food Handler Certification

ServSafe

2021

First Aid/CPR Certified

American Red Cross

2023

Awards and Recognition

Employee of the Month - March 2024

Roasted Dreams Coffee House

March 2024
Recognized for maintaining 98% customer satisfaction rating during high-volume breakfast shifts and exceptional team leadership

2nd Place - Portland Latte Art Championship

Pacific Northwest Coffee Association

2023
Demonstrated advanced latte art techniques in regional competition among 45 professional baristas

Customer Service Excellence Award

Sunrise Café

2022
Achieved highest customer satisfaction scores for three consecutive months

References

Marcus Rivera

Café Manager, Roasted Dreams Coffee House

(555) 234-5678 | [email protected]
"Direct supervisor for 2+ years, can speak to coffee expertise and leadership abilities"

Elena Thompson

Shift Supervisor, Sunrise Café

(555) 345-6789 | [email protected]
"Supervised training and daily operations for 8 months, witnessed exceptional customer service skills"

David Chen

Store Manager, Artisan Market

(555) 456-7890 | [email protected]
"Former manager who can attest to reliability, work ethic, and customer service excellence"