Catering & Event Barista — Black Fodder Coffee

Job description

What you'd actually do Set up and break down our mobile espresso bar at events across Chicagoland — corporate offices, private parties, weddings, and more Pull espresso and steam milk on a professional machine under event conditions — fast, clean, consistent Pour latte art on every drink — not because you have to, but because that's the standard Represent Black Fodder Coffee directly to clients and their guests — warm, confident, professional Keep your setup spotless throughout the event — clean as you go, always Coordinate with the event lead on timing, flow, and guest volume Handle load-in and load-out of equipment — you're not just the barista, you're part of the crew What we're looking for At least 1 year behind an espresso machine at a specialty shop (not a chain — you know the difference) Latte art skills — send us a few photos or link your Instagram You work well under pressure and stay calm when the line backs up You can set up and manage a bar independently — we brief you in, but you own it from there You're punctual, reliable, and communicate clearly — if something changes, you tell us before it becomes a problem You operate with integrity — honesty and doing the right thing aren't negotiable You can lift 50 lbs and move equipment efficiently (cases, coolers, espresso gear) Reliable transportation to event locations across Chicagoland — this is a must Fluent in English What it's like Event-based scheduling — work fits around your life, not the other way around Most events are mornings and weekdays, some evenings and weekends Flexible hours — great as a primary gig or a strong side income You'll work a variety of Chicagoland venues — no two events the same Coffee and drinks provided at every event 40% off food and beans when you visit the café Real training — we make sure you know our standards before you represent us solo Small team, direct communication — no corporate layers, no nonsense Catering-only or café + events — we'll build a schedule that works for both of us If the idea of running a coffee bar at a rooftop event in the Loop or a corporate office in the West Loop sounds more exciting than a fixed café shift — this is the job. Apply. We'd love to meet you. We're not looking for someone who can just make coffee. We're looking for someone who can make it right — anywhere. Black Fodder Coffee is a specialty coffee company in River Forest, IL. We run a café, roast our own beans (coming soon), and cater private events across Chicagoland — corporate offices, weddings, brand activations, and everything in between. We're family-owned, obsessively quality-driven, and building something we're genuinely proud of. At events, we show up with a full mobile espresso bar and hold the same standard we hold in the café — dialed-in shots, real latte art, genuine hospitality. If that sounds like your kind of work, keep reading.