Barista + Line Cook

About Us

The Forum Cafe brings together neighborhood residents, creatives, and commuters within the historic Forum complex at 43rd and the Green Line through a celebration of Bronzeville’s unique history and culture. We are dedicated to crafting exceptional food and beverages and fostering a warm, culture-forward environment that celebrates community and connection.

Job Summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic and customer-focused Barista/Line Cook to craft our beverages, serve front-of-house operations, and support the culinary operations of Forum Cafe. This role is responsible for delivering exceptional coffee, tea, and beverage service, creating a welcoming atmosphere for guests, and preparing food that aligns with our community-inspired vision. The ideal candidate is passionate about coffee, community-oriented, and thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced kitchen and cafe environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Culinary & Kitchen Operations: Set up stocking stations, execute hot line items during service, prep food (chopping vegetables, meat, sauces), cook menu items, and follow chef instructions/recipes.
• Quality & Safety: Ensure food comes out simultaneously in high quality and timely fashion; diligently stock inventory using correct labeling and the F.I.L.O method; adhere strictly to health, safety, and ServSafe regulations.
• Beverage & Front-of-House Service: Craft high-quality coffee, tea, and specialty beverages; provide warm, professional, and engaging service to guests; handle digital transactions on our POS system smoothly.
• Community & Culture: Act as an ambassador for Forum Cafe, building customer relationships, keeping service areas clean and inviting, and assisting the Cafe Manager with community events and cultural programs.
• Manage time effectively during busy periods to ensure smooth service flow from drink preparation to food delivery.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• 3 years of experience in a cafe, coffee shop, or hospitality role (barista experience preferred).
• Proven cooking experience as a line cook, restaurant cook, or prep cook with positive references.
• Active ServSafe certification.
• Solid understanding of cooking methods, ingredients, equipment, and industry best practices.
• Friendly, courteous, accurate, and fast-paced under high-volume rushes.
• Culinary school diploma or a minimum of 2 years of line cook experience is preferred.
• Proven experience as a barista with knowledge of beverage service techniques and coffee industry standards. Passion for coffee culture is a plus.
• Familiarity with POS systems such as Aloha POS and Micros POS for efficient sales processing.
• Strong understanding of food handling procedures, food safety regulations, and proper cleaning practices.
• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to engage positively with diverse guests.
• Basic math skills for cash handling, retail transactions, and order accuracy.
• Ability to multitask efficiently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.

Core Competencies

• Consistency: Delivering the same high quality in every dish and beverage.
• Speed: Successfully managing high-volume breakfast or lunch rushes.
• Cleanliness: Keeping a tidy, safe, and organized workspace.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently required to stand, walk, and occasionally sit.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Requires the ability to climb stairs, bend, stoop, stretch, and maintain manual dexterity to operate equipment and POS systems.
• Normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate and record reports accurately.

Pay: $18.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20.0 per week

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Work Location: In person