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Cooking Instructor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

LIFT Enrichment

After-School Cooking Teacher

Saugus, CA · On-site

$25/hr

After-School Cooking Instructor / Chef Teacher Love cooking? Love working with kids? Make an impact with LIFT Enrichment! LIFT Enrichment is looking for enthusiastic Chef Teachers to lead fun, hands ...

LIFT Enrichment

After-School Cooking Teacher

Salinas, CA · On-site

$28/hr

Description After-School Cooking Instructor / Chef Teacher Love cooking? Love working with kids? Make an impact with LIFT Enrichment! LIFT Enrichment is looking for enthusiastic Chef Teachers to lead ...

LIFT Enrichment

After-School Cooking Teacher

Salinas, CA · On-site

$28/hr

Description After-School Cooking Instructor / Chef Teacher Love cooking? Love working with kids? Make an impact with LIFT Enrichment! LIFT Enrichment is looking for enthusiastic Chef Teachers to lead ...

CocuSocial

Cooking Class Instructor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

As a Culinary Instructor at CocuSocial, you will have the opportunity to share your passion for cooking with others while leading engaging classes that inspire creativity and culinary skills. This ...

CocuSocial

Cooking Class Instructor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

As a Culinary Instructor at CocuSocial, you will have the opportunity to share your passion for cooking with others while leading engaging classes that inspire creativity and culinary skills. This ...

CocuSocial

Cooking Class Instructor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

As a Culinary Instructor at CocuSocial, you will have the opportunity to share your passion for cooking with others while leading engaging classes that inspire creativity and culinary skills. This ...

CocuSocial

Chef Instructor

San Jose, CA · On-site

Company Description About CocuSocial CocuSocial is a premier marketplace for cooking and tasting ... Position Overview We're looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Culinary Instructor to join the ...

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All JobsCooking Instructor JobsCooking Instructor Jobs in California

Cooking Instructor information

See California salary details

$76

$94

$111

How much do cooking instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooking instructor in California is $94.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85.38 and $104.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a cooking instructor do?

As a cooking instructor, your job is to teach children or adults how to cook. During your classes, you may demonstrate cutting techniques, show how to measure different ingredients, explain how to read recipes, and otherwise teach people to cook food, whether basic or gourmet. The specifics of this job vary by position. If you work with children, most of your time focuses on small, simple recipes that teach the basics. Cooking instructors also host classes for adults who want to develop their skills, and a few teach high-level cooking skills at professional schools. You may need to write up lesson plans, conduct tests, and adjust your lessons to account for each student's strengths and weaknesses.

What does a cooking instructor do?

A Cooking Instructor teaches individuals or groups how to prepare and cook a variety of dishes, often focusing on specific cuisines, techniques, or dietary needs. They develop lesson plans, demonstrate cooking methods, and provide hands-on guidance to students. Cooking Instructors may work in culinary schools, community centers, or online platforms, and often adapt their teaching to suit beginner or advanced skill levels. Their goal is to help students gain practical cooking skills, confidence in the kitchen, and a deeper understanding of food and nutrition.

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

To thrive as a Cooking Instructor, you need advanced culinary skills, a solid understanding of food safety, and experience in professional kitchens, often supported by a culinary degree or relevant certifications. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, instructional technology, and food safety certification (such as ServSafe) is typically required. Strong communication, patience, and the ability to motivate and engage diverse learners are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure effective teaching, student safety, and an inspiring learning environment that fosters culinary growth.

How does a cooking instructor typically structure classes to accommodate different skill levels among students?

Cooking Instructors often design their classes to cater to a range of skill levels by offering step-by-step guidance and adapting recipes or techniques as needed. They may begin with foundational skills for beginners, while providing optional advanced tasks or tips for more experienced participants. Instructors also encourage group collaboration and foster a supportive environment so everyone can learn at their own pace. This approach helps ensure all students are engaged and leave the class with improved confidence and abilities.

What is the difference between Cooking Instructor vs Culinary Teacher?

AspectCooking InstructorCulinary Teacher
CredentialsCooking certifications, culinary school degreesCooking certifications, culinary school degrees
Work EnvironmentCooking classes, workshops, community centersEducational institutions, culinary schools
Employer & IndustryPrivate classes, culinary schools, community programsSchools, colleges, culinary institutes
Search & Comparison IntentLearning cooking skills, hobby classesFormal culinary education, career training

Both Cooking Instructors and Culinary Teachers require similar credentials and often work in educational or community settings. The main difference lies in the context: Cooking Instructors typically teach hobbyists in informal settings, while Culinary Teachers work in formal educational institutions preparing students for culinary careers.

What qualifications do you need to teach a cooking instructor?

To become a cooking instructor, you typically need relevant culinary experience, such as a culinary degree or professional cooking background, along with strong teaching skills. Certifications in food safety or sanitation may also be required, depending on the setting. Good communication and the ability to demonstrate techniques are essential for effective instruction.
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Cooking Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cooking Instructor job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 53% Full Time, and 46% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $197,380 per year, or $94.9 per hour.

After-School Cooking Teacher

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

LIFT Enrichment
See more jobs at LIFT Enrichmentexternal

$25/hr

Part-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

After-School Cooking Instructor / Chef Teacher

Love cooking? Love working with kids? Make an impact with LIFT Enrichment!

LIFT Enrichment is looking for enthusiastic Chef Teachers to lead fun, hands-on cooking workshops for students in Title I schools.

Since 2010, we’ve taught 75,000+ students and built a team of 200+ Chef Teachers. No professional chef experience required — we provide training!

The Details:

  • Rate: $25/hour
  • Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays; 2:30- 5:30 pm
  • Age Groups: Elementary School
  • Location: Hawthorne USD & Inglewood USD
  • Position: Seasonal, part-time
  • Paid training + mileage reimbursement + phone stipend
  • Grocery shopping, prep, teaching, and cleanup are paid

A typical day includes teaching two workshops, you will be paid for approximately 5 hours of work which covers preparation, teaching, and cleanup. 

Requirements

What You'll Do
  • Lead groups of 15–20 students (K-8th grade) through hands-on cooking activities.
  • Teach fun, healthy recipes using our provided curriculum.
  • Introduce kids to basic cooking, nutrition, and kitchen safety.
  • Keep students engaged, excited, and involved.
  • Manage setup, cooking, and cleanup.
  • Grocery shop and prep ingredients as needed.
  • Transport program supplies to the school.

You might be a great fit if you're a:

  • Teacher, para-professional or retired educator
  • Coach or Camp counselor
  • Childcare provider
  • Chef or home cook
  • College student
  • An enthusiastic educator looking for part-time work 

We're looking for someone who is:

  • Energetic and engaging
  • Reliable and punctual
  • Confident leading a group of little chefs 
  • Happy whipping up some tasty treats with basic cooking skills 
  • Able to commute to assigned schools
  • Excited to turn cooking into something kids can’t wait to get their hands into! 

No professional culinary experience required. If you enjoy cooking and working with kids, we'll teach you the rest.

Ready to make cooking fun?

Apply today to become a LIFT Chef Teacher!


#LEJOBS2

Benefits

  • Mileage reimbursement
  • Paid Training