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Chef Instructor Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Joliet Junior College

Culinary Lab Assistant

Joliet, IL · On-site

$15.38 - $17.30/hr

Chef Instructor holding lab class on that particular day PLACEMENT: Support staff, Grade 2 HIRING RANGE: $15.38 - $17.30 hourly Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with ...

JJC Enterprises

Culinary Lab Assistant

Joliet, IL

$15.38 - $17.30/hr

Chef Instructor holding lab class on that particular day PLACEMENT: Support staff, Grade 2 HIRING RANGE: $15.38 - $17.30 hourly Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with ...

JJC Enterprises

Culinary Lab Assistant

Joliet, IL

$15.38 - $17.30/hr

Chef Instructor holding lab class on that particular day PLACEMENT: Support staff, Grade 2 HIRING RANGE: $15.38 - $17.30 hourly Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with ...

Tiny Spoon Chef

Full-time Personal Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$24 - $26/hr

This full-time personal chef position is Monday through Friday, 8am-6pm, giving you evenings and ... Teach cooking classes as a culinary instructor * Lead corporate team-building cooking workshops

Tiny Spoon Chef, Inc

Full-time Personal Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$24 - $26/hr

This full-time personal chef position is Monday through Friday, 8am-6pm, giving you evenings and ... Teach cooking classes as a culinary instructor * Lead corporate team-building cooking workshops

Tiny Spoon Chef, Inc

Full-time Personal Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$24 - $26/hr

This full-time personal chef position is Monday through Friday, 8am-6pm, giving you evenings and ... Teach cooking classes as a culinary instructor * Lead corporate team-building cooking workshops

CocuSocial - Chicago

Culinary Instructor

Chicago, IL

$200 - $350/day

Our team of Chef Instructors spans 16 different U.S. cities, and our wide range of cooking classes reflects our belief that food brings people together, no matter their cultural, ethnic, religious ...

JJC Enterprises

Adjunct Faculty, Culinary Arts

Joliet, IL · On-site

$1.2K/day

POSITION SUMMARY Chef instructor position conducting "hands on" practical classes in food production, fabrication, professional culinary skill and technique development, AND/OR baking and pastry, in ...

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Chef Instructor information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$16

$23

$29

How much do chef instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef instructor in Chicago, IL is $23.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.29 and $26.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Chef Instructor vs Culinary Teacher?

AspectChef InstructorCulinary Teacher
CredentialsCooking certifications, culinary degreesCooking certifications, culinary degrees
Work EnvironmentCooking schools, culinary institutes, vocational schoolsHigh schools, community colleges, culinary programs
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, culinary academiesEducational institutions, vocational schools
Primary FocusTeaching culinary skills, practical cookingTeaching culinary concepts, theory, and skills

Both Chef Instructors and Culinary Teachers typically hold similar credentials and work in educational settings related to culinary arts. The main difference lies in their focus: Chef Instructors often emphasize practical cooking skills and hands-on training, while Culinary Teachers may focus more on culinary theory and broader educational objectives. Both roles are essential in culinary education, preparing students for careers in the food industry.

What are some common challenges Chef Instructors face when transitioning from industry kitchens to the classroom?

Chef Instructors often find the shift from a fast-paced restaurant environment to teaching requires adapting their communication and leadership styles. Instructors must break down complex culinary techniques into clear, teachable steps and exercise patience as students develop their skills. Additionally, balancing curriculum requirements with hands-on practice and providing individualized feedback to diverse learners can be challenging. Successful Chef Instructors leverage their industry experience while cultivating a supportive, educational atmosphere that fosters student growth.

What are Chef Instructors?

Chef Instructors are culinary professionals who teach and train students in cooking techniques, food safety, kitchen management, and recipe development. They work in culinary schools, community colleges, or private cooking classes, sharing their expertise and passion for food. Chef Instructors are responsible for developing lesson plans, demonstrating cooking methods, and evaluating student progress to ensure a high standard of culinary education.

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

To thrive as a Chef Instructor, you need a strong culinary background, professional kitchen experience, and often a culinary arts degree or certification. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food safety standards, and teaching technologies is essential. Excellent communication, leadership, and patience are standout soft skills for effectively mentoring students of diverse skill levels. These skills ensure high-quality instruction, safe kitchen operations, and the ability to inspire and develop future culinary professionals.

What Does a Chef Instructor Do?

Chef instructors teach students about the culinary arts. In this role, you may demonstrate how to make various types of food, cover commercial cooking aspects such as safety and sanitation regulations, and help prepare students to handle the duties and responsibilities of being a professional chef. Most chef instructors fall into one of two categories. General teachers focus on basic cooking skills like tools and everyday ingredients, both of which can vary by region. Specialized instructors concentrate on certain types of cuisine, such as ethnic foods. Most chef instructors work at public culinary schools, but a few work exclusively for large food service companies to train chefs and ensure they meet company standards.

More about Chef Instructor jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Chef Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Chef Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Chef Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL? For Chef Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Chef Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Chef Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Chef Instructor jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Chef Instructor job openings:
Chef Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chef Instructor job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,529 per year, or $23.3 per hour.
Culinary Lab Assistant

Culinary Lab Assistant

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, IL • On-site

$15.38 - $17.30/hr

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Joliet Junior College rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

445th of 553 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position Title:

Culinary Lab Assistant

Job Description:

POSITION TITLE: Culinary Lab Assistant
STATUS: Part time
DEPARTMENT: Culinary Arts
SUB-DIVISION: Career & Technical Education
DIVISION: Academic Affairs
CLASSIFICATION: Non-exempt
UNION: Non-union
REPORTS TO: Chef Instructor holding lab class on that particular day
PLACEMENT: Support staff, Grade 2
HIRING RANGE: $15.38 - $17.30 hourly
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The student population at the college is diverse in ethnicity, gender, language, age and background. Joliet Junior College is an AA/EO employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates who would enhance the diversity of its staff.

POSITION SUMMARY
Responsible for assisting instructional faculty and students, and provides support in the operation and monitoring of lab processes, equipment and activities in the Culinary Arts Management Program.


ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Meet with instructor to discuss any special needs for that day's lab class.
2. Assist students with menu production and supervise quality of product.
3. Monitor students to ensure they are following proper recipes, cooking procedures, baking practices, and service skills where appropriate.
4. Continually monitor sanitation and safety practices of students.
5. Inform chef instructor of any misconduct, mishandling or a destruction and/or waste of product by students.
6. Monitor all storage and food production areas to ensure that students put products away and store them properly.
7. Assist students with proper professional knife skills, terminology and techniques.
8. Maintain a positive attitude towards students to foster a learning environment.
9. Assist with Chef for a Day visiting students, recruitment efforts and high school/career fair presentations.
10. Fill in as a teacher assistant when needed.
11. Assist with instruction of daily cooking and food production lessons.
12. Assist with supervision of student workers as necessary.
13. Perform final inspection of individual student work area and dismiss students at the end of each class once all food production and classroom food spaces have been cleaned and sanitized.
14. Ensure operation is in good condition for health department inspections of student food production areas.
15. Work with the instructor to inventory all products and prepare orders for all food and non-food supplies needed for each class.
16. Develop and maintain production sheets for each instructor/class.
17. Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. One (1) year of culinary arts lab work completed with a grade of "B" or better.
2. Ability to communicate effectively with students/faculty and foodservice staff.
3. Self-motivated, patient, with common sense and problem-solving ability and a willingness to accept responsibility.
4. Recommendation from chef/lab instructor for position of lab assistant.
5. Must be able to work flexible hours during scheduled lab times.
6. Must possess (or currently in process of earning) a current FSSMC sanitation license for the State of Illinois.
7. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other members of the college and community, displaying cultural competence as well as emotional intelligence.
8. Demonstrated commitment to the college's core values of respect and inclusion, sustainability, integrity, collaboration, humor and well-being, innovation and quality.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
1. English and Spanish verbal and written communication proficiency.
2. Demonstrated multicultural competence.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
1. Normal culinary lab physical demands.
2. Must complete physical.
3. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
4. Standard culinary lab equipment.
5. Must be able to stand for extended period of times.

WORKING CONDITIONS
1. Culinary lab environment

BENEFITS

Click Here for benefits; Non-Union Support Staff, Professional, Administrative

Full Time/Part Time:

Part time

Union (If Applicable):

Scheduled Hours:

28

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