Barista — Specialty Coffee Shop in River Forest

Black Fodder Coffee Co. • River Forest, IL

12h • Hybrid

About The Position

Black Fodder Coffee is a specialty coffee company in River Forest, IL. We run a café, cater private events across Chicagoland, and teach espresso and pour-over classes. We are family-owned, obsessively quality-driven, and building something we're genuinely proud of. We source from award-winning roasters — with plans to roast in-house soon. We dial in every morning. We pour latte art on every drink — not because the customer asked, but because that's the standard.

Requirements

• At least 1 year behind an espresso machine at a specialty shop (not a chain — you know the difference)
• Strong latte art — send us a few photos or link your Instagram
• You actually know what extraction, dose, and yield mean, and you care about getting them right
• You operate with integrity — honesty and doing the right thing aren't negotiable
• You're punctual, reliable, and you communicate clearly — if you're running late, you text ahead, not after
• You can lift 50 lbs (kegs, milk deliveries, event gear)
• Fluent in English

Nice To Haves

• Experience with hand brew methods (Kalita Wave, V60, Aeropress) is a plus
• Food prep experience or troubleshooting skills are a bonus, not a requirement

Responsibilities

• Pull espresso, steam milk, and pour latte art all day — on a Slayer Steam, not a super-automatic
• Brew pourovers on a Kalita Wave, V60, and Aeropress with precision and care
• Work café shifts in our River Forest shop and/or catering events across Chicagoland
• Make every person who walks in feel genuinely welcome — not scripted, not forced
• Talk to guests about coffee like you genuinely find it interesting (because you do)
• Keep the bar and café spotless — clean as you go, always
• Handle equipment like it's yours

Benefits

• Unlimited espresso, filter, and tea on shift + one premium drink per shift
• 40% off food and coffee beans
• Real training — we invest in your growth as a coffee professional, not just your ability to follow a recipe
• Flexible scheduling — some people work café only, some do events only, some do both
• A small, tight team that genuinely gives a damn
• Family-owned, founder-operated — no corporate layers, no nonsense

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees