ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Chef Instructor Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Stone Soup PDX

Culinary Instructor

Portland, OR · On-site

$26/hr

You do not need to be a career chef or culinary school instructor. You do need enough professional kitchen experience to confidently teach industry standards, techniques, food safety, and what it ...

LSG Sky Chefs

Employee Experience Manager

Portland, OR · On-site

$93K - $116K/yr

Delivering engaging classroom and instructor-led training for employees and leaders. * Supporting the rollout of new programs, processes, policies, and operational initiatives. * Tracking training ...

All JobsChef Instructor JobsChef Instructor Jobs in Portland, OR

Chef Instructor information

See Portland, OR salary details

$17

$24

$30

How much do chef instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef instructor in Portland, OR is $24.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.91 and $26.78 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 popular job titles related to Chef Instructor jobs in Portland, OR?

For Chef Instructor jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Chef Instructor jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Chef Instructor jobs in Portland, OR are:

Chef Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chef Instructor job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,959 per year, or $24 per hour.

Garden Home Instructor

Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District

Beaverton, OR • On-site

$19.78 - $24.59/hr

Part-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Description Garden Home Instructors Garden Home Recreation Center is hiring instructors to help teach our amazing sports classes, cooking workshops, drop-in run club, and a variety of other fun and engaging programs. We are looking for community and safety-focused individuals who are excited to share their passion for recreation with participants of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and interests. Instructors should be able to support individual participant needs while creating a positive group environment.

Scheduling Instructors are typically scheduled between 2 and 29 hours per week, with classes offered weekday afternoons and evenings, and weekend mornings and afternoons. Part-time employees work variable schedules and may work fewer than 1,560 hours per year. Current Opportunities: Garden Home Recreation Center is currently seeking instructors for the following programs: Weekday Afternoon Sports Classes Soccer Level 1 (Tuesdays 5:00 - 5:45pm) Basketball Level 1 (Thursdays at 5:00pm - 5:45pm) Teen and Adult Sports Clinics (Various Friday evenings) Weekend Drop-In Programs Jog & Juice: Run Club (Saturdays 9:00am - 11:00am) Dirt Detectives: Preschool Program (Sundays 9:30am - 11:30am) Once a Month Workshops Young Chefs Club (Sundays 1:30pm - 3:30pm) Club de Pequenos Chefs - Spanish (Sundays 1:30pm - 3:30pm) Chefs Club (Tuesdays 5:30pm - 7:30pm) Beauty Lab (Saturdays 9:30-11:30am/1:30-3:30pm) STEM Lab (Saturdays 9:30-11:30am) Various Crafting Workshops on Saturdays and Sundays Positions Instructor I: No teaching experience required, must love working with people of all ages and abilities; be able to work inside and outside; and be at least 16 years of age.

Pay Rate: $19.78 - $22.30 Hourly The hiring rate for this position is $19.78 - $22.30. The full hourly range for this classification is $19.78 - $22.30 per hour. Staff may be eligible for a merit increase at the end of September

Instructor II: Must have at least 1 year of experience in leading and instructing general classes and be at least 16 years of age. Pay Rate: $21.81 - $24.59 Hourly The hiring rate for this position is $21.81 - $24.59. The full hourly range for this classification is $21.81 - $24.59 per hour

Staff may be eligible for a merit increase at the end of September. Click the hyperlinked job titles above to learn more about the positions and view the full job description. Application Review The hiring team will review applications as they are received to assess fit for the role.

If your qualifications align with our needs, we will contact you directly to discuss the next steps. Please note, this recruitment process will be used to fill multiple openings and will continue until all positions are filled. Accommodations THPRD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.

As part of this commitment, THPRD will ensure that people experiencing disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at hr@thprd.org. Connect with THPRD Please follow THPRD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to learn more about our organization.

Apply