What you'd actually do
- Pull espresso, steam milk, and pour latte art at private events across Chicagoland
- Brew pourovers on a Kalita Wave, V60, and Aeropress when the menu calls for it
- Set up and break down mobile coffee bars at event venues
- Make every guest feel genuinely welcome — not scripted, not forced
- Talk to guests about coffee like you genuinely find it interesting (because you do)
- Handle equipment with care — you're working with professional gear at someone else's venue
- Drive to event locations across Chicagoland (driver premium available)
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
- Comfortable working independently — at events, you're often the only barista or leading a small team
- Reliable transportation and a valid driver's license — events are all over Chicagoland
- You can lift 50 lbs (espresso machines, kegs, event gear)
- Rock-solid reliability — if you commit to an event, you show up. Period.
- Fluent in English
- Experience with hand brew methods (Kalita Wave, V60, Aeropress) is a plus
What it's like working with us
- Work with a Slayer Steam and professional mobile setup
- $25-$29/hr depending on experience — flat rate, no tips
- +$3/hr driver premium when you drive the BFC van
- Flexible scheduling — pick the events that fit your calendar
- Free coffee and training when you're at the cafe
- A small, tight team that genuinely gives a damn
- Family-owned, founder-operated — no corporate layers, no nonsense
If you love making great coffee and want to do it at some of the coolest venues in Chicago — we'd love to hear from you.We cater private events across Chicagoland — and we need baristas who can bring the café experience to any venue.
Black Fodder Coffee is a specialty coffee company based in River Forest, IL. We run a café, cater private events, and teach espresso and pour-over classes. We're family-owned, obsessively quality-driven, and growing fast.
Our catering baristas work weddings, corporate events, private parties, and pop-ups across the greater Chicago area. You'd be representing Black Fodder at every event — pulling shots on professional equipment, pouring latte art, and making every guest feel like they're getting something special.
This is a 1099 independent contractor position with flexible, event-based scheduling. You pick the events that work for your schedule.
Pay: $25.00 - $29.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
Application Question(s):
- What are your latte art skills? Share a link to your portfolio or Instagram if you have one.
- Describe your experience with espresso — how do you ensure consistency in extraction, dose, and yield?
Experience:
- Barista: 1 year (Required)
Work Location: In person
