up to 2 crafted drinksWe’re not looking for someone who can just make coffee. We’re looking for someone who cares about making it right.
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’re 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. If that sounds like your kind of place, keep reading.
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 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
- 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
- Free coffee and tea on shift + up to 2 crafted drinks 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
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.
Pay: $24.00 - $28.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Paid training
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?
- How would you describe your experience with hand brew methods (V60, Kalita Wave, AeroPress, Chemex)?
- Are there any shifts you're consistently unavailable to work?
Experience:
- Barista: 1 year (Required)
Work Location: In person
