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Chef Instructor Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Prep Cook - CVI

Munster, IN · On-site

$15.57 - $21.73/hr

Certified Executive Chef Gabe Rosado, CEC and team focus on The Standards of Excellence in Culinary ... Our leaders are also mentors and culinary instructors in the community. Now come join our winning ...

Powers Health

Prep Cook - CVI

Munster, IN

$14 - $17.50/hr

Certified Executive Chef Gabe Rosado, CEC and team focus on The Standards of Excellence in Culinary ... Our leaders are also mentors and culinary instructors in the community. Now come join our winning ...

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All JobsChef Instructor JobsChef Instructor Jobs in Chicago, IL

Chef Instructor information

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$16

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How much do chef instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 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 a chef instructor?

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 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.

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 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 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.

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:

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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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,529 per year, or $23.3 per hour.

After-School Cooking and STEAM Instructor

iCook After School

Northbrook, IL • On-site

$60 - $70/hr

Temporary

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Temporary
Description
iCook/ iSTEAM After School is an innovative educational company that provides a really fun, hands-on after-school cooking and nutrition education program for children age K-4. The focus of the program is to enrich the lives of children by teaching them to love everything about food - cooking, eating delicious and healthful dishes, and learning about different cultures and stories behind the food. The iSTEAM program focuses on hands-on and observable experiments. Instructors will teach provided lesson plans related to basics of Engineering and Tech, Chemistry, Science through Art, and beyond.
We are looking for people who will share our passion for education, food, and, most importantly, making a difference in lives of our little chefs. This is an amazing opportunity to have a job that makes an impact on children's lives while keeping a flexible, part-time schedule with classes near you. Our educators come from different backgrounds: nutritionist, educators, stay at home parents looking for extra income, students, chefs and many more.
What you will be doing:
  • Lead after school cooking/STEAM classes for elementary students (K-4) while getting them excited about trying fun and creative recipes and or experiments, new foods, and encouraging them to learn about new cuisines and cultures.
  • Teach provided lesson plans related to basics of nutrition and healthy eating to kids in a fun and engaging way
  • Introduce kids to basic cutting and measuring techniques, food safety, table manners and other concepts provided in the curriculum
  • Purchase groceries for each class based on the recipes provided (we reimburse separately for the groceries)

What we are looking for:
  • Experience working with large group of kids (can be in school setting, summer camp etc.)
  • Enthusiastic about teaching, cooking and nutrition
  • Effective classroom management skills
  • Energetic personality and ability to keep students engaged during the class
  • Punctuality and reliability, with access to a reliable form of transportation

What your schedule will look like:
  • All our classes run in the afternoon between 2-4pm, depending on the school, and typically run for one hour.
  • Classes run once per day, Monday through Friday, so the maximum is 5 classes per week (one per day).
  • We do our best to match you with schools convenient to you, but the number of days and specific schedule you're offered depends on your start date, completion of onboarding, and current class availability in your area.
  • Pay: $60-$70 per class (1 hour class time). This rate accounts for approximately two hours of total work per class, including preparation and clean-up.

Primarily looking for instructors for classes held in Skokie, IL and surrounding North Chicago suburbs
Requirements
Candidates must be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire.
Physical Requirements:
The physical requirements listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Ability to stand and move throughout a classroom setting during program instruction.
  • Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and kneel as needed during program setup, instruction, and cleanup.
  • Ability to regularly lift, carry, and transport program materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to load and unload program supplies from a vehicle, as applicable.
  • Ability to travel to assigned program locations.

Salary Description
$60-$70 per class (1 hour long)

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