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Assistant Chef Instructor Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Assistant Chef Instructor information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$10

$27

$54

How much do assistant chef instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant chef instructor in Seattle, WA is $27.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.24 and $32.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Assistant Chef Instructors?

Assistant Chef Instructors are culinary professionals who support lead instructors in teaching cooking classes or culinary courses. They help prepare ingredients, demonstrate techniques, supervise students, and ensure that classes run smoothly. Typically, they work in culinary schools, cooking academies, or community education settings. Assistant Chef Instructors also provide feedback to students and may assist in developing lesson plans and maintaining kitchen safety standards.

What are some common challenges Assistant Chef Instructors face when working with culinary students?

Assistant Chef Instructors often encounter challenges such as managing diverse skill levels within a single class and adapting their teaching style to suit different learning preferences. Additionally, balancing hands-on demonstrations with theoretical instruction while ensuring kitchen safety can be demanding. Collaborating closely with lead instructors and providing individualized feedback to students are also key aspects that require strong communication and organizational skills. These challenges make the role dynamic and rewarding for those passionate about education and culinary arts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Assistant Chef Instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Chef Instructor, you need a solid culinary background, practical kitchen experience, and often a culinary degree or relevant certification. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food safety regulations, and instructional tools like learning management systems is typically expected. Strong communication, patience, and leadership skills help effectively mentor students and foster a positive learning environment. These competencies are crucial for ensuring high-quality instruction, maintaining safety standards, and preparing students for professional success in culinary arts.

What is the difference between Assistant Chef Instructor vs Culinary Instructor?

AspectAssistant Chef InstructorCulinary Instructor
CredentialsCooking certifications, culinary degreesCooking certifications, culinary degrees
Work EnvironmentCooking schools, culinary collegesCooking schools, culinary colleges
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, culinary programsEducational institutions, culinary programs
Primary RoleAssist in teaching cooking techniques, support lead instructorTeach culinary skills, develop curriculum

While both roles involve culinary education, an Assistant Chef Instructor primarily supports the lead instructor in teaching cooking techniques, whereas a Culinary Instructor often leads classes and develops curriculum. The assistant role is more supportive, focusing on assisting and practical demonstrations, while the culinary instructor has a broader teaching and curriculum development responsibility.

What are popular job titles related to Assistant Chef Instructor jobs in Seattle, WA? For Assistant Chef Instructor jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Assistant Chef Instructor jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Assistant Chef Instructor jobs in Seattle, WA are:
Chef Instructor Team Leader (Seattle Eastside)

Chef Instructor Team Leader (Seattle Eastside)

Sticky Fingers Cooking

Sammamish, WA • On-site

$33 - $38/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

SFC SEATTLE EASTSIDE LLC dba Sticky Fingers Cooking® is looking to hire part-time Chef Instructors Team Leader to help us Cultivate COOLinary Curiosity in Kids®!

  • Are you ready to TURNIP the BEET on what KIDS EAT®?
  • Are you looking for a fun, part-time job?
  • Do you love the magical combination of children and cooking?
  • Are you a natural leader who thrives in fast-paced, people-first environment?

If so, please read on and consider joining our team!

Our hiring process includes up three interviews. We are ideally looking for candidates who are available to begin on August 3rd.

ABOUT STICKY FINGERS COOKING

Sticky Fingers Cooking® is a national children's cooking school franchise offering after-school enrichment classes and summer camps at hundreds of locations across the country. We are passionate about inspiring kids through fun, hands-on cooking and connecting them to the real role healthy food and nutrition play in everyday life.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Chef Instructor Team Leader is a key player in our day-to-day program operations. This role is responsible for ensuring that our team of chef instructors are trained, equipped and assigned to all classes (After School, Camps, Birthday parties) via The Dash® (our proprietary technology platform) based on their schedules and abilities. Working closely with the Area Director and a Virtual Assistance, you'll serve as the primary point of contact for our instructors, fostering a positive, organized and supportive work experience. Staff engagement and retention is a priority, understanding that all instructors teach part-time and many may have other commitments. The ideal candidate is a calm, detail-oriented leader who communicates with energy and care.

This is a part-time position. Administrative hours are estimated at 10–15 hours per week. Total hours will vary based on program demand, seasonal scheduling, and company growth. This role has the potential to grow into a full-time position in 2027.

AS A CHEF INSTRUCTOR TEAM LEADER you are the operational backbone of our chef instructor team, working closely with the team to keep programs running smoothly.

  • Conduct hiring, interviewing, onboarding, and training of new staff - both virtually and in person while ensuring CA HR compliance
  • Schedule and manage chef instructors via The Dash®, ensuring all classes are fully staffed
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for instructors, communicating in a timely and upbeat manner
  • Manage timesheets, reimbursement requests, and the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
  • Conduct in-person class observations and provide boots-on-the-ground support
  • Plan and lead regular team meetings, trainings, and gatherings
  • Oversee cooking kit inventory, supply ordering, and storage unit organization. This includes cleaning, organizing and distributing kit supplies.
  • Build and send newsletters to the chef instructor team
  • Maintain daily updates to spreadsheets and Google Drive documents
  • Assist with outreach to new venues via emails, phone calls and in-person meetings and attend promotional events (Back to School Nights, etc.)
  • Coordinate with the Virtual Assistance on all on-boarding and off-boarding task for all Chef Instructors
  • Collaborate with the team on long-term operational strategies and company growth

Our chefs are ONE in a MELON! Meet some of them in this video: https://vimeo.com/492139079

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Highly effective verbal and written communication skills - positive, empathetic, and enthusiastic
  • Proven experience managing a team, with a strength in coaching and empowering others
  • Experience working with children of various ages
  • Proficiency with Google Workspace; comfortable learning new technology and software
  • Familiarity with Orange County area schools preferred
  • Detail-oriented, self-directed, and calm under pressure
  • Flexible and creative approach to problem solving
  • Spanish language desire but not mandatory

REQUIREMENTS

  • Availability: Monday–Friday, admin hours between 10am-2pm.
  • Transportation: Must have reliable access to transportation throughout Seattle Eastside for site travel, cooking kit transport, grocery runs, and visits to the storage unit in Sammamish
  • Physical: Comfortable lifting up to 30 lbs (cooking kit + equipment)
  • Background Check: Fingerprint Background Check (MERIT) and online child abuse prevention and safe environment training (VIRTUS)
  • WA Food worker Card: ServSafe Food Handler Certification required prior to first day (or willingness to obtain)

ARE YOU READY TO JOIN US?

If you feel that you would be a GRATE fit, please fill out our application. We look forward to meeting you!

SFC Seattle Eastside LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, religion, sex, age, disability, and all other characteristics protected by federal and Washington law, including intersectionality and reproductive health decision-making.


  • Upon hire, employees will be required to pass a fingerprint background check