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Chef Instructor Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Powers Health

Prep Cook - CVI

Munster, IN · On-site

$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 ...

Powers Health

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 - Hartsfield Village

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Prep Cook

Munster, IN · On-site

$33K - $37K/yr

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 ...

EquipmentShare

Financial Data Analyst

Chicago, IL · On-site

Stocked breakroom and full kitchen, chef prepared meals daily (breakfast and lunch). * State of the art onsite gym (Corporate HQ) with instructor led-courses/Gym stipend for remote employees.

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All JobsChef Instructor JobsChef Instructor Jobs in Chicago, IL

Chef Instructor information

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$16

$23

$29

How much do chef instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 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.
After-School Cooking Instructor

After-School Cooking Instructor

iCook After School

Chicago, IL • On-site

$60 - $70/hr

Other

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Description

iCook 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. 

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 schedule and working on days and in locations that work for 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 classes for elementary students (K-4) while getting them excited about trying fun and creative recipes, 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 2-5pm, depending on the school, and typically run for one hour.
  • We will pair you to teach classes at the schools located conveniently for you on the days that work best for you. 
  • You can teach a maximum of 5 classes per week, or one class per day, based on your availability.
  • Pay is $60 per class (1 hour long) The pay rate for this position accounts for approximately two hours of work, including 1 hour class time, necessary preparation, and clean up.  

To apply please go to https://www.icookafterschool.com/career and complete a short application form along with your resume. 

Apply