Barista

Steward Position:

Their responsibilities include washing, sanitizing, and organizing all crockery, cutlery, glassware, and cookware; maintaining the cleanliness of the kitchen, dishwashing area, and storage rooms; managing inventory of cleaning supplies and kitchen equipment; assisting in receiving and storing food deliveries; disposing of waste in compliance with hygiene standards; and polishing silverware and glassware before service. In fine dining, presentation standards are extremely high, so the steward plays a critical role in ensuring every piece that reaches the table is spotless.

Captain Position:

The captain oversees a designated section of the dining room and is the primary point of contact for guests at their tables. They are responsible for greeting and seating guests within their station, presenting menus and guiding guests through the dining experience with deep knowledge of the menu, ingredients, and preparation methods. They take food and beverage orders, coordinate with the kitchen and sommelier, supervise the work of waiters and busboys in their section, handle tableside preparations (such as carving, flambéing, or plating), address guest complaints or special requests with composure, and ensure the pacing of the meal flows seamlessly. The captain is essentially the conductor of the guest experience at the table level.

BaristaIn Position:

A fine dining context, the barista goes well beyond standard coffee service. They are responsible for crafting specialty espresso-based beverages (espresso, cortado, cappuccino, flat white) with precision and consistency, sourcing and understanding single-origin or specialty beans, operating and maintaining espresso machines and grinders, preparing tableside or bar-side pour-overs and siphon brews, pairing coffee offerings with dessert courses, maintaining the cleanliness and calibration of all coffee equipment, and staying current with specialty coffee trends. A fine dining barista may also collaborate with the pastry chef or sommelier to design coffee-pairing menus that complement the overall tasting experience.