Zeitlin's Delicatessen is a Jewish Deli that uses the city of Chicago as our inspiration.  Started by two brothers, Zeitlin’s focusses on classic Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine using local produce, grains, and ingredients.  The team just grew into a new commissary kitchen on the south west side and are looking to grow.

Here is an average day right now at the Deli!

A Day in the life at Zeitlin's :

• Wake up and feel good (knowing you are coming here!)
• Come to work. Bake some seriously delicious bagels and sourdough bread. 
• Package them up to be delivered all over the city!
• Pause to nosh a bagel while drinking some coffee.
• Clean some dishes (perhaps the only non-happy task?)
• Plan out the second half of the day!
• And that's it. Break down, and have a great rest of your day.

We are expanding into our first brick and mortar!  This position is integral to our growth for 2025!  We are looking for someone who has the passion and drive to create an incredible restaurant!  

Job Description: 

Zeitlin’s is looking for a LEAD BAKER to join the team!

We are looking for someone with a great attitude, a kind heart, and strong work ethic.  Being on time is important and we value integrity across the board.  We bake, cook, and produce top quality food and desire to showcase the beauty of the Jewish Deli.  Early mornings are mandatory.  THIS POSITION IS FOR SOMEONE WITH PRODUCTION BAKERY EXPERIENCE THAT WILL EVENTUALLY GROW INTO A MANAGEMENT POSITION.

Overview: The team member role is in charge of producing and maintaining exceptional quality of bread, bagels, and prepared foods.  The cooks role will be to possess proficient cooking and baking skills while maintaining an organized station.  The team member will be responsible for weighing out recipes, organizing the kitchen, and preparing Zeitlin’s food related items, from sourdough bread, fresh bagels, pastries, salads, deli meats, entrees, and much more.  The team member will report to the baking manager and owner. Above all, the team member must do all to contribute to a positive work environment as set forth by the culture and values of Zeitlin's Delicatessen.

Essential Job Functions:

Food

• Weigh out, prepare, and organize food to be sold at markets and wholesale
• Communicate with the manager of product needs related to menu items
• Follow the managers directions to execute food at the highest quality level
• Manage to bake off 1000 bagels a day along with dozens of sourdough and enriched breads with a small team 
• Prep food products according to weekly orders.  
• Lead the staff in following the standards for proper food handling 
• Use proper rotation, first in first out, checking for quality, preventing food waste

 Health & Safety

• Contribute to the general cleanliness of the kitchen and the equipment
• Observe good sanitation practices and safety procedures at all times 

Employee Relations

• Cultivate and maintain professional work relationships with all other employees through a positive and team-driven work effort
• Contribute on a regular basis to providing organizational support
• Communicate clearly and professionally with other employees inventory and mise en place
• Assist the Chefs in managing stations

Other Requirements

• Understand how to use, operate, and care for all kitchen equipment
• Check out with the supervising chef at the end of each shift to communicate any issues or needs the chef needs to be aware of
• Arrive as scheduled for shifts and all meetings
• Maintain uniform cleanliness and proper attire at all times without exception

Experience / Skills:

• ONE YEAR HIGH LEVEL PRODUCTION BAKERY EXPERIENCE
• High school diploma encouraged
• Proficient knife-skills
• Excellent knowledge of cooking terms, techniques, and recipes
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
• Serve Safe Food Handlers Certificate required
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and recipes.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or fellow employees.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, and hear.  The employee frequently is required to sit, reach with hands and arms. 
• Cultivate and maintain professional relationships with all employees through a positive and team-driven work effort

Compensation Details

Compensation: Hourly ($21.00-$23.00) * Experience is required.

(Opportunity to Qualify For) 
Benefits & Perks: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Paid Time Off, Commuter Benefits, Wellness Program

More detail about Zeitlin's Delicatessen part of Zeitlin's Delicatessen, please visit