Kitchen Teammate Full Time

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts

Opportunity for advancement

Training & development

Job summary

A popular café chain is seeking a Kitchen Teammate to support daily back-of-house operations in a fast-paced environment. Responsibilities include executing prep, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring food meets quality standards. Candidates should have strong attention to detail, be reliable, and work well in a team. They offer full-time hours with opportunities for advancement and a supportive environment focused on quality and hospitality.

Qualifications

• Kitchen, prep, or food service experience preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and organization required.
• Reliable, punctual, and team-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Support daily back-of-house operations.
• Complete daily prep lists accurately and on time.
• Maintain cleanliness and ensure food quality.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organization

Ability to follow systems

Comfortable in a fast-paced environment

Team-oriented

Job description

Benefits

• Employee discounts
• Opportunity for advancement
• Training & development

Who We Are

Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea is a café experience built around exceptional food, craft beverages, and warm hospitality. Our kitchens are structured, fast‑paced, and quality‑driven. We believe great systems create great experiences—for our guests and our team.

What You’ll Do

As a Kitchen Teammate, you’ll support daily back‑of‑house operations by executing prep, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring all food meets Fairgrounds’ quality and safety standards. You’ll work closely with the Kitchen Lead and Café Leadership to keep the kitchen organized, stocked, and service‑ready.

Key Responsibilities

Prep & Daily Execution

• Complete daily prep lists accurately and on time
• Follow recipes, portioning, and food quality standards
• Ensure mise en place is ready before and during service
• Properly label, date, and store all food items

In-Stock & Organization

• Support par levels through accurate prep and communication
• Alert leadership when items are running low or unavailable
• Receive and put away deliveries using FIFO rotation
• Keep coolers, storage areas, and workstations organized

Quality & Waste Awareness

• Maintain food quality, freshness, and presentation standards
• Log waste as directed and help reduce unnecessary food loss
• Follow proper food handling and temperature guidelines

Cleanliness & Safety

• Maintain a clean and sanitary workstation throughout each shift
• Complete assigned cleaning tasks and checklists
• Follow all health, safety, and sanitation standards
• Assist with deep cleaning and weekly kitchen routines

Teamwork & Communication

• Work collaboratively with kitchen and café teammates
• Communicate clearly about prep progress and issues
• Accept coaching and feedback to improve performance

What We’re Looking For

• Kitchen, prep, or food service experience preferred (not required)
• Strong attention to detail and organization
• Ability to follow systems, recipes, and standards
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced environment
• Reliable, punctual, and team‑oriented
• Food safety certification or willingness to obtain

Why Work at Fairgrounds

• Full‑time hours with consistent scheduling
• Opportunities for growth into Lead roles
• Clear systems and expectations to support success
• Supportive team environment focused on quality and hospitality
• Competitive pay and benefits (where applicable)

Ready to Apply?

Apply today and join a team that takes pride in great food, clean kitchens, and strong execution—every shift.