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    Black Fodder Coffee Co.

    Coffee

    Experienced Barista – Specialty Coffee Shop in River Forest

    River Forest, United StatesOn-SiteFull-timePosted 1mo ago
    All Black Fodder Coffee Co. jobs

    Job description

    What you'd actually do

    • 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

    What we're looking for

    • 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
    • Experience with hand brew methods (Kalita Wave, V60, Aeropress) is a plus
    • You have a real work ethic — you see what needs doing and you do it, without being asked
    • You're driven to get better — you ask for feedback, study your craft, and hold yourself to a standard most people wouldn't bother with
    • Keeping things clean isn't a task for you — it's just how you operate
    • Rock-solid reliability — you show up on time, every time. If something comes up, you communicate early, not last minute
    • You operate with integrity — honesty and doing the right thing aren't negotiable
    • You can lift 50 lbs (kegs, milk deliveries, event gear)
    • Fluent in English
    • Food prep experience or troubleshooting skills are a bonus, not a requirement

    What it's like here

    • Beautifully designed café with a Slayer Steam and full hand brew setup
    • 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
    • Walking distance from CTA (Blue and Green lines)

    If you read this and thought "finally, a coffee job that sounds like it's actually about coffee" — apply. We'd love to meet you.

    Job details are sourced from the employer's original posting.

    Open job posting
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    About the company

    Black Fodder Coffee Co.

    At Black Fodder Coffee, we believe coffee truly makes everything better —but only the good kind. Picked at its ripest, patiently processed, roasted fresh in small batches to highlight its natural tasting notes, and skillfully brewed with deep appreciation for the gift it is—and for all the hands that made it possible to enjoy. To us, specialty coffee isn’t just a caffeine delivery method—it’s a ritual. We also believe every interaction holds the power to make someone’s day a little better. We’re always on the lookout for honest, values-driven people who will boldly represent our brand and everything we stand for.   Our people Our baristas bring high emotional intelligence and a drive to excel in everything they do. They are growing into true experts in coffee, hospitality, and providing a guest experience that goes above and beyond expectations. We are building a team of  deeply passionate, skilled, and adaptable professionals—people with initiative, curiosity, ambition, a growth mindset, and a willingness to contribute broadly .

    View all Black Fodder Coffee Co. jobs
    Industry
    Coffee
    Open roles
    2

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