2016 CROWD SERVICES STAFF APPLICATION

Chicago Food + Wine Festival

August 27-28, 2016

Lincoln Park, Chicago

Taking place in downtown Chicago, the Chicago Food + Wine Festival returns for its second year in 2016, presented by FOOD & WINE Magazine. It brings together acclaimed chefs, wine & spirits experts, and winemakers from across the nation as well as from Chicago’s own acclaimed restaurant community for an experience unlike any other!

This application is your chance to be a part of the event.

We are seeking food, wine and people enthusiasts who are willing to invest their time and passion to see the Festival succeed. You will enhance the patron experience by providing a happy and hospitable presence in one of the festival's key areas.

Please fill out the application below to apply for an hourly paid Crowd Services Staff Position at the 2016 Chicago Food + Wine Festival.

Applications will be reviewed and selected as they are received. Once all positions are filled, we will close the application.

If accepted, you will be sent a confirmation email with your assigned shift. The acceptance email will include details about your assigned team position and shift times. At that time, you will have the opportunity to accept or decline the position. All applications will be considered when filling positions.

You will be notified of your application status by late-July.

Submitting this application does not guarantee entry into the Festival or a staffing position.

Questions? Contact crowdservices@chicagofoodandwinefestival.com.

Thank you so much for your interest in joining the team!

Deadline To Apply: July 11, 2016

STAFF POLICIES

- I am at least 21 years old as of August 27, 2016.

- I understand that I am representing the festival as paid Staff.

- I understand that I am applying to provide hospitality to the festival's guests. This means I will work towards the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.

- I understand that when I am working I will wear my festival shirt and will promptly remove it when I am not working.

- I understand that I will receive $10/hour, less withholding for applicable taxes, for services provided as a Crowd Services Representative.

- I understand that failure to perform my duties as expected/required may result in my dismissal from the event and will affect future placement within future programs.

- I understand that I will earn a staff wristband for each day I work at Chicago Food + Wine Festival 2016. It does not grant me access to backstage or any other back of house areas.

- I will complete my festival assignment in a superb manner (reporting on time for shifts, staying the entire shift, reporting for all shifts, wearing assigned identification during shift, respecting other staff members, performers, and patrons of the festival).

- I understand that use of alcohol and/or controlled substances before or while on duty is strictly prohibited. Violators will be subject to immediate dismissal from the event.

- I understand that missing an assigned shift or shifts (or not completing a shift) will jeopardize my participation with Chicago Food + Wine Festival in the future.

- Upon applying, I understand that the email address I provide may be used for future Crowd Services opportunities.

*

I have read and agree to the terms list above.

STAFF PERKS

- The biggest perk is entry into the festival each day of your shift! After your shift, you are free to enjoy the event. If your shift begins mid-day, you can check-in early to receive your credential and enjoy the Festival. YOU MUST still return to the staff check-in tent to meet your team lead 20 minutes before your shift, or you will be counted as a no-show. Please note that we give priority to those that are availabe both days.

- You will also get a limited edition staff t-shirt to wear while you’re on shift and to keep as a nice memory of your contribution to the Festival.

- We’ll provide water which will be located at various spots throughout the park.

- You’ll be part of a team that’s putting on a one of a kind event. It’s a fun way to meet people with shared interests and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you were a big part of making the festival happen.

NAME + CONTACT INFORMATION

First Name
*

Last Name *

Email Address
Type carefully. Most communication is sent via email, so enter an email you check regularly. *

Mailing Address
*

City
*

State
*

Zip
*

Cell Number (ex: xxx-xxx-xxxx) *

Staff T-Shirt Size *

Do you speak a foreign language (at least conversationally)? If so, what?

AVAILABILITY + INTERESTS

*Applicants with flexible availability are most likely to get accepted.

Which days are you available? *

What times are you available? *

Need more room to explain your availability? Here you go!

In your own words, why do you want to be a part of Chicago Food + Wine Festival? *

Which categories are you interested in applying for? Please choose all that strike an interest. The more you select, the more likely you are to be selected. *

Demo/Panel: The demo and panel tents will feature cooking demonstrations and classes by some of the world’s most renowned chefs. You will assist with setting the audience seating, showing patrons to their chairs, answering questions, helping with clean-up after demos and generally assisting in your assigned demo tent. This is a front of house role, not behind the scenes working with chefs. You will be assigned to your specific tent when you arrive for your shift.

Welcoming: Staff members on this team will be posted near the Festival entrance or at designated spots. Your role is to meet and greet and help along fans. You may also be handing out event programs. You will be one of the first faces that our patrons meet and must be friendly, enthusiastic and helpful. This is a great way to interact with food and wine fans from all over the country.

Wine Seminar: The wine seminar tents will feature wine demonstrations and classes by some of the world’s most renowned experts. Wine Seminar staff will assist with setting the audience seating, showing patrons to their chairs, answering questions, setting glasses, pouring wines, helping with clean-up after seminars and generally assisting in your assigned demo tent. This is a front of house role, not behind the scenes working with Chefs and Sommeliers.

Guest Services: Your role is to help patrons by answering questions, collecting lost & found items, and sharing information regarding ADA access accommodations. You are the face of the festival and must be friendly, helpful and knowledgeable of the festival. A plus is being familiar with nearby Chicago landmarks, streets, etc. Your position is in a booth near the entrance to the festival.

Grand Tasting Team: The Grand Taste will feature about 90 wines, beers, spirits, and food exhibitors. You will assist with clean up, collecting and restocking wine glasses, directing patrons, answering questions, and generally assisting the Grand Taste staff with the area. You may also be pouring wine and assisting the wineries in this area.

Staff HQ/Backup: Staff HQ is the first stop for checking in! You’ll greet Crowd Services staff members checking in for their shifts and facilitate the process of getting all paperwork signed, staff wristband distributed, etc. The goal is to quickly get the everyone checked in and on their way! You will also be serving as the backup team, the “go to” crew, stationed in Staff HQ. Sometimes you might just sit around waiting on an assignment; sometimes you’ll be constantly on the go assisting wherever needed throughout your shift. Bring a positive attitude, and a willingness to do just about anything—get lunch for team leads, fill in to buffer a team, make deliveries, etc. You’re on a fun team: anything can happen! This role is a combo of booth work (awaiting assignment and/or filling in at the Staff Check In booth or other booths) and mobile position (deliveries, pickups, walking to assignment, etc.).

Are you interested in leading a team?

Leading a team would require you to work through the duration of the Festival, but you receive extra perks! If you select "yes", you may be contacted for an interview.

EXPERIENCE + REFERENCES

Click here to attach a resume

Are you BASSETT or TIPS certified? Certification is required for any role involving alcohol service. *

Yes, I am certified.

No, I am not certified.

Attach copy of BASSETT or TIPS certification here.

For other longer correspondence (such as a cover letter) or any other document you'd like to include, attach it here.

Have you ever worked for Chicago Food + Wine Festival before? * *

YES

NO

If yes, please list which year(s) and team(s) you were a part of.

If yes, care to say anything about your experience?

Do you have other food and wine event experience? * *

YES

NO

If yes, please list the event name(s) and date(s).

If no, please describe any other relevant experience and capabilities.

Do you have experience working in the service industry? *

YES

NO

If so, please tell us about your experience(s) here.

Do you have experience working with people with disabilities? *

YES

NO

If so, please tell us about your experience(s) here.

Please list two references: *

	NAME (FIRST AND LAST)	RELATIONSHIP TO YOU	EMAIL & TELEPHONE
1.	NAME (FIRST AND LAST)	RELATIONSHIP TO YOU	EMAIL & TELEPHONE
2.	NAME (FIRST AND LAST)	RELATIONSHIP TO YOU	EMAIL & TELEPHONE

QUESTIONS + COMMENTS?

A copy of this application will be sent to the email address you provide below:

You're done! Click once on the submit button. Be patient, it may take a moment to save your inquiry. You will automatically see a "success" page when your form is submitted.