Kitchen Teammate - Bucktown - Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts

Flexible schedule

Free food & snacks

Training & development

Job summary

Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea is opening a Bucktown café in Chicago and seeking enthusiastic Kitchen Teammates. You will help prepare and plate menu items, support daily kitchen operations, and uphold standards of quality, freshness, and presentation.

On-site roles require a positive, reliable team player with kitchen experience, flexibility for mornings, weekends, and holidays, and a Food Handler Certification or willingness to obtain one.

Qualifications

• Prior kitchen, food preparation, or restaurant experience preferred.
• A positive, reliable, and team-oriented attitude.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow recipes, preparation procedures, and quality standards.
• Ability to multitask and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to food safety, cleanliness, and consistency.
• Availability for early mornings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Food Handler Certification or willingness to obtain one as required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and assemble menu items according to Fairgrounds’ recipes, portioning, and presentation standards.
• Complete daily prep tasks accurately and efficiently to support smooth service.
• Maintain food quality, freshness, and consistency throughout each shift.
• Support daily opening and closing procedures, restocking, and kitchen checklists.
• Monitor ingredient availability and communicate inventory needs to leadership.
• Label, date, store, and rotate ingredients to maintain freshness and minimize waste.
• Keep kitchen equipment, storage areas, and workstations clean and service-ready.
• Collaborate with teammates and leadership to ensure smooth daily operations.
• Communicate proactively and support teammates during busy periods.
• Take initiative, welcome feedback, and demonstrate a willingness to learn.

Job description

Benefits:

• Employee discounts
• Flexible schedule
• Free food & snacks
• Training & development

Location

Bucktown, Chicago, IL (New Café Opening)

Job Type

Full-time, Part-time

Compensation

$17.25/hour, tip eligible

Who We Are

At Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea, we believe that great food, exceptional coffee, and genuine hospitality bring people together. We’re a community-driven café dedicated to creating welcoming spaces, thoughtfully crafted beverages, and memorable guest experiences.

We’re excited to bring Fairgrounds to Bucktown and are looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our opening team!

The Role

We’re looking for passionate, dependable, and detail-oriented Kitchen Teammates to join our growing team!

As a Fairgrounds Kitchen Teammate, you’ll play an important role in delivering high-quality food while supporting smooth daily kitchen operations. From preparing fresh ingredients to maintaining a clean and organized workspace, you’ll help ensure every dish meets Fairgrounds’ standards of quality, consistency, and presentation.

You’ll work closely with teammates and café leadership to create a positive, efficient, and collaborative kitchen environment.

Please Note

Our Bucktown location is not yet open. Initial onboarding and training will take place at another Fairgrounds café prior to opening.

What You’ll Do

Food Preparation & Quality

• Prepare and assemble menu items according to Fairgrounds’ recipes, portioning, and presentation standards.
• Complete daily prep tasks accurately and efficiently to support smooth service.
• Maintain food quality, freshness, and consistency throughout each shift.

Kitchen Operations & Organization

• Support daily opening and closing procedures, restocking, and kitchen checklists.
• Monitor ingredient availability and communicate inventory needs to leadership.
• Properly label, date, store, and rotate ingredients to maintain freshness and minimize waste.
• Keep kitchen equipment, storage areas, and workstations clean, organized, and service-ready.

Teamwork & Collaboration

• Collaborate with teammates and leadership to ensure smooth daily operations.
• Communication proactively and support teammates during busy periods.
• Take initiative, welcome feedback, and demonstrate a willingness to learn.

What We’re Looking For

• Prior kitchen, food preparation, or restaurant experience preferred.
• A positive, reliable, and team-oriented attitude.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow recipes, preparation procedures, and quality standards.
• Ability to multitask and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to food safety, cleanliness, and consistency.
• Availability for early mornings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Food Handler Certification or willingness to obtain one as required.

Why Join Fairgrounds?

• New Store Opening: Be part of the opening team and help shape the culture of our newest Bucktown café.
• Employee Discounts: Discounts on eligible food, beverage, and retail purchases.
• Shift Drinks & Meals: Available in accordance with company policy.
• Training & Development: Hands-on training and opportunities to develop new skills.
• Growth Opportunities: Opportunities for professional development and advancement into leadership roles.
• Supportive Team Culture: A collaborative and inclusive workplace built on teamwork and mutual respect.

Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace.