1

Assistant Culinary Instructor Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Assistant Culinary Instructor information

See Tennessee salary details

$10

$22

$35

How much do assistant culinary instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant culinary instructor in Tennessee is $22.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.32 and $25.29 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectAssistant Culinary InstructorCulinary Instructor
Required CredentialsCooking certifications, culinary degree often preferredAdvanced culinary certifications, teaching credentials may be beneficial
Work EnvironmentCooking schools, community colleges, culinary programsCooking schools, culinary colleges, vocational institutes
Employer & Industry UsageAssists lead instructors, supports curriculum deliveryLeads classes, develops lesson plans, evaluates students

The main difference between an Assistant Culinary Instructor and a Culinary Instructor lies in their responsibilities and experience level. The assistant supports the lead instructor and focuses on assisting with classes, while the culinary instructor leads lessons and manages curriculum development. Both roles require culinary skills and certifications, but the instructor position typically demands more experience and teaching credentials.

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

To thrive as an Assistant Culinary Instructor, you need a solid culinary background, experience in food preparation, and often a relevant certification such as ServSafe or a culinary arts degree. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, recipe management software, and safety protocols is typically required. Strong communication, patience, and the ability to motivate and instruct students are standout soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure effective teaching, a safe learning environment, and student success in culinary training programs.

How does an Assistant Culinary Instructor typically support lead instructors and students during classes?

Assistant Culinary Instructors play a vital role in ensuring smooth class operations by helping set up workstations, preparing ingredients, and demonstrating basic cooking techniques. They actively assist students with hands-on tasks, answer questions, and provide timely feedback to reinforce learning. Additionally, they support lead instructors by monitoring safety and cleanliness standards, and often help assess student progress. This collaborative environment allows assistants to develop their teaching skills while contributing to a positive, engaging learning experience.

What are Assistant Culinary Instructors?

Assistant Culinary Instructors are professionals who support lead culinary instructors in teaching cooking techniques, kitchen safety, and food preparation to students. They help set up workstations, demonstrate recipes, supervise students during hands-on activities, and ensure a clean, safe learning environment. Their role is vital in providing guidance, answering questions, and reinforcing lessons, making them an essential part of culinary education programs.
What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary Instructor jobs in Tennessee? The most popular types of Culinary Instructor jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Assistant Culinary Instructor jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Assistant Culinary Instructor job openings:

Adjunct Instructor - Culinary Arts

Tennessee Board of Regents

Knoxville, TN

Other

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

Adjunct Instructor - Culinary Arts

Apply now Job no: 503488
Work type: Adjunct, Faculty - Part-Time
Location: Knoxville
Categories: Faculty, Adjunct

Title: Adjunct Instructor - Culinary Arts

Required Documents Needed to Upload at Time of Application:
Resume
Unofficial Transcripts

Position Summary: The Pellissippi State Culinary Institute is seeking an experienced and passionate culinary professional to join our team as an Adjunct Culinary Instructor. The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching hands-on culinary courses, guiding students through foundational and advanced cooking techniques, and preparing them for careers in the culinary industry. This position requires an individual with a strong background in culinary arts, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to student success.

Department: Culinary Arts

Duties and Responsibilities:
Teach assigned culinary courses in alignment with the department's curriculum.
Provide instruction on a variety of culinary techniques, including knife skills, cooking methods, and food safety.
Plan and execute class lectures, practical demonstrations, and assessments.
Foster a positive, supportive learning environment that encourages student engagement and growth.
Assess student performance, provide constructive feedback, and offer mentorship and guidance.
Maintain a professional kitchen environment, ensuring safety and cleanliness standards are upheld.
Collaborate with full-time faculty and staff to continuously improve course offerings.
Stay current on culinary trends and industry best practices.
Assist culinary staff in planning and execution of off-site catering events

This position requires the ability to stand, walk, sit, manipulate kitchen instruments with the hands, operate a variety of kitchen equipment, and generally be mobile 100% of the time while on and between campuses. The position requires the ability to lift bulk food products and equipment or supplies (which could include items weighing up to 50 pounds).

This position requires the ability to hear. In a relatively noisy kitchen environment, this position must be able to hear a student who has injured him/herself and requires immediate medical attention. The position requires the ability to communicate orally with others in the English language and to understand responses given.

This position requires visual acuity. In an active kitchen with multiple students engaged in different tasks, this position must be able to observe and stop any activity that is potentially dangerous or poses a risk to health and safety.

The position requires the ability to determine if food items are prepared properly (appealing to the eye of a customer or judge) or fit to be used (not spoiled or rotten). The position must be able to visually judge student work effectively.
This position requires the ability to tolerate frequent temperature shifts (frozen to extreme heat), ability to drive a vehicle, and work both indoors and outdoors. The work environment is usually either a commercial kitchen or a classroom.
1. Planning and teaching classes as assigned and as outlined in the course descriptions and course syllabi.
2. Supervising the study and learning activities of students assigned.
3. Submitting requests through the department head, program coordinator, or lead teacher for equipment, supplies, textbooks, and other instructional aids.
4. Evaluating the academic progress of students.
5. Demonstrating knowledge of services, regulations, and procedures as defined in the Adjunct Faculty Handbook.
6. Submitting course grades and performing other administrative duties as required.
7. Scheduling two office hours. For extenuating circumstances in which office hours cannot be scheduled, the adjunct faculty member must submit a written plan to the Dean describing how students can access the instructor. Office hours are not paid during the summer session.

Required Qualifications:

Associate's degree or higher in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or related field, or equivalent industry experience.
Minimum of 4 years of experience in the culinary industry, including experience in kitchen management and food preparation.
Teaching experience at the college level preferred, but not required.
Strong communication and organizational skills.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
Ability to withstand 10 plus hours on your feet
Current ServSafe certification (or equivalent food safety certification) preferred.
Passion for teaching and mentoring students pursuing careers in the culinary arts.

Availability/Closing Date: This posting is not a guarantee of an open position. Applications for adjunct faculty positions are accepted continuously and reviewed by the department if openings are available. Adjuncts are hired on an as-needed basis. Future teaching assignments are on a term-by-term basis, which may include fall, spring, and summer. Postings close yearly on January 31; to maintain your application within the system, you will need to re-apply each year.

Special Instructions to Applicants: To be considered for a position at Pellissippi State, you must create an on-line application. Your skills, abilities, qualifications, and years of experience will be evaluated using only what is recorded on your application. Please note: attaching a resume does not substitute for completion of the application form. Part-time work experience is calculated at 50% of full-time experience.

Please note: to scan, upload, or attach documents, a computer and scanner are available at the Hardin Valley Campus Educational Resources Center, if needed.

Pellissippi State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, disability, age (40+), status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulations and by Tennessee Board of Regents policies concerning all employment and education programs and activities. View the nondiscrimination policy. For questions or concerns, please contact George Underwood at gtunderwood@pstcc.edu or 865-539-7354.

The College reserves the right to assign every employee work that fulfills the strategic priorities and mission of the College


If you have any problems or questions, please contact Pellissippi State Community College's Human Resource Office at 865-694-6607 or by email at recruiting@pstcc.edu.


If you are interested in this position, click on the link to the top "right" to apply.
#mrp

Advertised: 01 Feb 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 31 Jan 2027 Eastern Standard Time

Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend

Whatsapp Facebook LinkedIn Email App