Kitchen Lead / Experienced Line Cook Courageous Bakery & Cafe Oak Park, IL Job Details Full-time $20•$24 an hour 8 hours ago Benefits Paid training Paid time off Employee discount Opportunities for advancement Paid sick time Qualifications Spanish Teamwork Shift management English Food supply stocking Organizational skills Kitchen stations Communication with kitchen staff Full Job Description Kitchen Lead / Experienced Line Cook Courageous Bakery & Café•

OAK PARK, IL

Pay:

$20.00•24.00 per hour, including service fee bonus, based on experience and demonstrated leadership ability

Job Type:

Full-Time | 5 days per week Courageous Bakery & Café is looking for a strong, experienced line cook who also has the ability and desire to take ownership in the kitchen. This is a hands-on position . Our Kitchen Lead works alongside the team and must be able to confidently handle a busy, fast-paced breakfast and lunch line—not manage from the sidelines. Our ideal candidate already has kitchen leadership experience, but we're also open to an exceptional line cook who is ready to step into greater responsibility. We will train you on our menu, recipes, and systems, but candidates must already have solid professional line-cooking skills. Candidates who demonstrate strong cooking ability, reliability, initiative, organization, and leadership will have the opportunity to take on greater responsibility and earn increased compensation. Schedule & Availability This is a full-time, 5-day-per-week position. Our kitchen operates seven days a week. Shifts vary based on business needs and are generally scheduled between 6:00 AM and 4:15 PM . Broad availability Monday through Sunday, including weekends, is required. Applicants must be able to work a schedule that varies based on the needs of the business. We prioritize two consecutive weekdays off. Occasional earlier start times may be required for catering, holidays, or special events.

What We're Looking For Required:

Strong professional line-cook experience Ability to confidently work a high-volume, fast-paced kitchen line Ability to manage multiple tickets and cooking tasks simultaneously Strong sense of urgency while maintaining food quality and presentation Reliable attendance and punctuality Broad availability, including weekends Ability to stay organized and productive under pressure Strong communication and teamwork Ability to recognize what needs to be done and take initiative without constant direction Willingness to prep, clean, wash dishes, restock, and jump in wherever the kitchen needs help A positive, solutions-focused approach to problems Strongly preferred: Breakfast or brunch line experience Experience working eggs, griddle, sauté, fry, or similar high-volume stations Previous kitchen leadership, shift-lead, or supervisory experience Experience training or directing other kitchen team members Spanish-speaking or bilingual English/Spanish is preferred, but not required. What Leadership Looks Like at Courageous Our Kitchen Lead is expected to lead by example and work alongside the team.

A successful leader:

Keeps the kitchen organized and service moving during busy periods Notices problems and takes initiative to solve themselves Helps ensure prep, stocking, and daily kitchen tasks are completed Maintains food quality, consistency, cleanliness, and safety standards Communicates clearly with both BOH and FOH team members Helps train, coach, and support other kitchen employees Holds themselves and teammates accountable to expectations Remains calm and productive when the kitchen gets busy Steps onto any station and helps wherever needed Communicates operational, staffing, or performance concerns to management Responsibilities Execute breakfast and lunch menu items quickly and consistently according to recipes and standards Work an active station during busy breakfast and brunch service Manage multiple incoming tickets while maintaining accuracy and efficient ticket times Help direct the flow of the kitchen during service Set up, stock, and maintain stations Monitor prep levels and help ensure the kitchen is prepared for service Complete and oversee daily prep and restocking Assist with catering and production as needed Help train and support kitchen team members Maintain food quality and portion standards Complete opening, closing, cleaning, and sanitation responsibilities Follow and reinforce food-safety standards Wash dishes, take out trash, clean, and assist with general kitchen duties as needed Everyone on our kitchen team participates in cleaning, dishes, restocking, and whatever else is necessary to keep the kitchen running smoothly—including our leaders. Compensation & Growth $20.00•24.00 per hour , including service fee bonus, based on experience and demonstrated ability. We are looking for a great cook first and a strong leader second. An experienced line cook who has the skills and potential to grow into leadership may start toward the lower end of the range. Candidates who bring proven kitchen leadership experience and can demonstrate the ability to lead shifts, train teammates, maintain standards, solve problems, and take ownership of BOH operations may qualify toward the higher end. Strong performance and increased responsibility create opportunities for increased compensation and continued growth within Courageous. Benefits Paid training Paid sick time Paid time off Free employee meal with each shift Employee discount Full-time, 5-day-per-week schedule Daytime kitchen hours—no late-night shifts Opportunity for increased responsibility and advancement Locally owned business where strong employees have the opportunity to make an impact About Courageous Courageous Bakery & Café is a locally owned café serving scratch-made breakfast, brunch, lunch, bakery items, coffee, and catering. We care about great food, consistency, reliability, teamwork, and accountability. We're looking for someone who takes pride in being an excellent cook and wants to be an important part of a strong kitchen team. If you thrive during a busy service, move with purpose, take ownership of your work, and are looking for an opportunity to grow as a kitchen leader, we'd love to hear from you. When applying, please tell us about: Your professional line-cook experience and the stations you've worked Any breakfast/brunch experience Any previous kitchen leadership or training experience Your current Monday-Sunday availability Whether you speak

Spanish Work Location:

In person Preferably apply via our website and mention 'INDEED' https://ordercourageous.com/careers

Pay:

$20.00•$24.00 per hour

Benefits:

Employee discount Paid sick time Paid time off Paid training

Work Location:

In person