Kitchen Assistant

Prequel Cafe — West Town, Wicker Park, Chicago Full-Time | Weekend Availability Required

The Role
Prequel Cafe is a quality-driven neighborhood spot where the kitchen and bakery operate as one cohesive team. We are looking for a reliable, detail-oriented Kitchen & Bakery Operations Assistant to become a core part of our cafe operations.

This is a dynamic role designed for someone who enjoys the rhythm of a food line but has a genuine curiosity for the craft of baking. You will lead the charge on our cafe menu (sandwiches, toasts, and seasonal prep) while providing essential support to our baking team.

What You’ll Do

Your day-to-day focuses on keeping our kitchen running smoothly and our standards high:

• Station Ownership: Prep and assemble our signature sandwiches, bagels, and cafe items with speed and precision.

• Kitchen Flow: Manage daily prep lists, keep your station organized, and ensure the kitchen stays clean and sanitary (including shared dishwashing duties).

• Bakery Support: Assist our head baker with mixing, shaping, and bake-offs. This is your avenue to learn professional baking systems firsthand.

• Systems & Quality: Label and rotate stock (FIFO), communicate inventory needs, and execute weekly deep-cleaning to maintain our premium standards.

Who You Are

• Experienced: You have 1–2+ years in a professional kitchen or high-volume cafe. You are comfortable with the pace of a weekend rush.

• Detail-Oriented: You care about the "little things"—the perfect toast, a clean workspace, and organized storaged.

• A Team Player: You value a respectful, professional environment and are happy to jump in where needed to help the team succeed.

• Reliable: You show up ready to go, take pride in your work, and have consistent weekend availability.

Why Join Prequel?

We move fast, but we do it with intention. We offer:

• Consistent Schedule: Full-time hours you can count on.

• Skill Building: Direct exposure to professional baking and pastry production.

• Structured Environment: We use clear systems and SOPs so you always know what "success" looks like.

• Respectful Culture: A kitchen that values clear communication and collaborative effort over ego.

How to Apply
Please apply via Culinary Agents or our website. To ensure your application is reviewed, you must include the following two details in your note:

1. Confirm you have open availability, including weekends.

2. Briefly mention one system or process you used in a previous job that helped you stay organized.

Note:   We value efficiency. Please do not drop off resumes in person.