PREP, CULINARY, & R&D BARISTA

The person who helps turn Fat Miilk’s ideas into consistent, thoughtful products, while staying connected to the guest experience.

Reports to

General Manager and designated company leadership

Classification

Nonexempt; part-time or full-time based on availability and business needs

Location

Assigned Fat Miilk café or production location; may support other locations as needed

The role

The Prep, Culinary & R&D Barista is a hybrid position supporting both behind-the-scenes production and café service. This person prepares the house-made components that shape the Fat Miilk experience, from creams and syrups to seasonal ingredients, while also working barista shifts and understanding how those products perform in real time with guests.

This role is for someone who enjoys both creativity and structure. You should be curious about flavor, thoughtful about process, and committed to producing the same high-quality result every time. Research and development responsibilities may be assigned when applicable, based on business needs, experience, and current projects.

What you’ll own

Prep & Culinary Production

• Prepare creams, syrups, sauces, toppings, beverage bases, and other house-made components according to current recipes and production standards.
• Follow prep lists, batch quantities, labeling, dating, storage, rotation, and food-safety procedures.
• Maintain accurate production records and communicate low inventory, inconsistencies, waste, or quality concerns.
• Organize ingredients and workspaces so café teams can execute products efficiently and consistently.
• Monitor freshness, texture, flavor, appearance, and yield throughout the production process.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, and organized prep environment, including equipment, tools, storage, and dishes.
• Support inventory counts, receiving, stocking, and ingredient organization as assigned.

Barista & Café Support

• Work scheduled barista shifts and support café operations based on business needs.
• Prepare espresso, phin, batch coffee, tea, specialty drinks, and menu items according to current standards.
• Welcome guests, explain the menu, make thoughtful recommendations, and complete orders accurately.
• Learn and communicate the story of Fat Miilk, Vietnamese coffee, Robusta, and the purpose behind our products.
• Complete opening, closing, restocking, cleaning, and station responsibilities.
• Share useful feedback on how prep components perform during service and within the finished guest experience.

Research & Development

When applicable, this position may also:

• Support the testing and development of seasonal drinks, culinary components, and new menu ideas.
• Assist with recipe trials, tasting sessions, batch testing, and product evaluations.
• Document ingredients, measurements, methods, yields, observations, and revisions accurately.
• Help translate creative concepts into recipes that can be trained, scaled, costed, and executed consistently.
• Evaluate products through both a culinary and consumer-facing lens, including flavor, texture, appearance, speed of service, and guest response.
• Work collaboratively with company leadership, Quality & Sourcing, and Operations & Brand to refine products before launch.
• Protect confidential recipes, methods, product concepts, and other proprietary information.

What we’re looking for

• Genuine interest in Fat Miilk’s culture, Vietnamese coffee, hospitality, culinary development, and learning.

• Previous experience in café prep, culinary production, baking, beverage development, restaurant kitchens, or a similar environment is preferred.

• Barista or hospitality experience is helpful, but training may be provided to the right candidate.

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to follow recipes, measurements, production systems, and food-safety standards.

• A curious palate and the ability to give clear, thoughtful feedback about flavor, texture, appearance, and execution.

• Comfort balancing independent prep work with collaborative, guest-facing café shifts.

• Strong organization, time management, cleanliness, and follow-through.

• Ability to receive feedback, adjust quickly, and repeat processes consistently without losing curiosity or creativity.

• Availability for a combination of prep, barista, training, meeting, opening, closing, weekend, and holiday shifts based on business needs.

• Ability to stand for extended periods and regularly bend, reach, lift, and carry ingredients, supplies, and equipment consistent with the role.

• A current Illinois Food Handler Certificate, or the ability to obtain one within the required timeframe.
  

What success looks like

• Prep is completed accurately, efficiently, and in time to support café service.
• House-made components remain consistent across batches, shifts, and locations.
• Ingredients are labeled, stored, rotated, and documented correctly.
• Workspaces remain clean, organized, safe, and ready for production.
• Barista shifts reflect the same level of product knowledge, hospitality, and care shown in prep.
• Production concerns and improvement opportunities are communicated early.
• R&D work, when assigned, is documented clearly and results in products that are creative, scalable, and true to Fat Miilk.
• The person in this role understands that innovation and consistency are equally important.
  

Schedule and compensation

• Schedule: Part-time or full-time based on availability, performance, and business needs. Hours may be divided between prep, café service, training, and R&D work when applicable. The exact balance may change as production and operational needs evolve.
• Compensation: Compensation may vary based on the type of shift, experience, and assigned responsibilities. Specific rates, tip eligibility, and employment terms will be communicated in the written offer letter.
  

Employment standards

This position is subject to Fat Miilk’s Employee Handbook and all current company policies. Employment is at will. Team members are expected to maintain punctual and regular attendance, record time accurately, protect confidential information, follow safety and food-handling requirements, treat coworkers and guests with dignity and respect, use personal phones only as permitted, and care for company property. Reasonable accommodations are available in accordance with applicable law.