ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Cooking Instructor Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCooking Instructor JobsCooking Instructor Jobs in Massachusetts

Cooking Instructor information

See Massachusetts salary details

$84

$105

$123

How much do cooking instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooking instructor in Massachusetts is $105.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94.52 and $115.53 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.
More about Cooking Instructor jobs

What are popular job titles related to Cooking Instructor jobs in Massachusetts?

For Cooking Instructor jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cooking Instructor jobs in Massachusetts look for?

The top searched job categories for Cooking Instructor jobs in Massachusetts are:

What cities in Massachusetts are hiring for Cooking Instructor jobs?

Cities in Massachusetts with the most Cooking Instructor job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Cooking Instructor jobs in MA?

For Cooking Instructor jobs in MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Cooking Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cooking Instructor job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, and 27% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $218,424 per year, or $105 per hour.

Cooking Instructor, School Break Camps

JCC Greater Boston

Newton, MA • On-site

$20/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 hours ago

Job description

Be a role model. Share your passion!
Do you love cooking, experimenting with flavors, and sharing your passion for food - and want to inspire kids in the kitchen? JCC Greater Boston is looking for enthusiastic Cooking Instructors to design and lead engaging culinary activities for children in grades K-5 at our School Break Camps (December, February, Passover, and April school breaks). Specialists are role models who create safe, inclusive, and fun program areas where kids can explore, learn, and build confidence through hands-on cooking experiences.
What you will do each day:
You'll spend your day bringing the kitchen to life - whether that's teaching basic cooking skills, guiding campers through recipes, exploring fun food science experiments, or helping them create delicious dishes. You'll plan age-appropriate activities, adapt them to meet the needs of different campers, and keep things safe, engaging, and fun. Beyond your specialty, you'll also be part of the camp team: helping with transitions, supporting special events, and ensuring every camper feels included, supported, and inspired.
Example Recipes Include:
  • Smoothies
  • Cookies
  • Salsa
  • Salads
  • And More!

Why work with us?
At our camps, the best part of the day is simple: the campers. Our staff say their favorite moments are playing games, cheering campers on at swim, creating art together, and bonding over shared interests. Staff describe camp as fun, dynamic, and inclusive. Here, you'll gain leadership skills, make lasting friendships, and create unforgettable experiences - for campers and yourself.
JCC Greater Boston is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston's core values - Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation - which resonate with many who do not identify as Jewish.
This is what our staff say are the best parts of working at JCC Camps:
  • Bonding with the campers
  • The activities
  • Free swim
  • Leadership opportunities
  • Making close friends with co-counselors

Available Dates:
  • December Camp: December 24, 26, 29, 30, 31 and January 2
  • February Camp: February 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
  • Passover Camp: April 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
  • Spring Break Camp: April 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

Candidates do not need to commit to all dates. Staff are scheduled by the day and shift.
Available Shifts Each Day:
  • Full Day 8:30am - 4:30pm, 8 hours
  • Morning Shift 7:30am - 3:30pm, 8 hours
  • Afternoon Shift 10am - 6pm, 8 hours

Primary responsibilities include, and are not limited to:
  • Plan, prepare, and lead age-appropriate activities in your specialty area
  • Ensure the safety and well-being of campers during activities
  • Create a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment that encourages skill-building and exploration
  • Work in partnership with counselors and camp leadership to provide a cohesive, positive camper experience
  • Maintain, organize, and request necessary supplies and equipment
  • Adapt activities to meet the needs and abilities of diverse campers
  • Support camp-wide special events and large-group programming as assigned
  • Assist with overall camp operations as needed (drop-off/pick-up, transitions, lunch, supervision, etc.)

Standard staff expectations include and are not limited to:
  • Actively create a welcoming dynamic that contributes to an environment where each individual is valued and respected
  • Actively participate as an essential team member
  • Support JCC Greater Boston's mission, vision, and values of belonging, joyfulness, collaboration, and transformation, including through role modeling
  • Enthusiastically representing the organization, model excellence and achievement
  • Attend JCCGB meetings and trainings as assigned
  • Other duties as assigned

This is a great chance to join JCC Greater Boston's respected and valued, people-orientated workplace of diverse community services providers, which is rapidly growing!
JOB DETAILS: This is an hourly position with a daily schedule of 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday. Offering great perks, including JCC Health & Fitness center access, a supportive, vibrant in-person work environment, and a competitive starting pay rate of $20 per hour. The pay rate offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC's internal equity.
About JCC Greater Boston
Since opening its doors in 1983, JCC Greater Boston has been committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, diverse community by nurturing meaningful, lasting relationships. Through our network of early learning centers, day camps, regional teen and family programs, health and wellness offerings, and adult arts and ideas classes, JCC Greater Boston provides highly valued connections, learning, and experiences for the Jewish community and friends.
JCC Greater Boston staff enjoy working in an innovative, friendly, and welcoming environment where their talents and contributions are appreciated. In our recent employee survey, staff rated their direct management and organizational alignment experiences close to 90% positive. If you want to upgrade your working experience and have a better work-life balance, we encourage you to explore becoming part of the JCC team!
The JCC is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston's core values: Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation, which we hope resonate with all.
To learn more about what makes JCC Greater Boston a wonderful place to work, please visit our careers page at https://www.bostonjcc.org/careers/
JCC Greater Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national
Requirements
Education and Experience:
  • High school degree preferred
  • College degree, concentration, certification, or equivalent experience in cooking, nutrition, or related field preferred
  • 1+ season (summer camp, semester, other) instructor experience planning and leading activities for children
  • Customer service experience preferred
  • Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC's discretion to meet minimum criteria.

Skills and Abilities:
  • Genuine enjoyment of working with children and helping them grow
  • Passion and expertise in your specialty area (arts, sports, music, cooking, science, etc.)
  • Ability to plan and lead age-appropriate, engaging, and inclusive activities
  • Excellent group management skills
  • Strong communication, teamwork, and collaboration skills with campers and staff
  • Safety awareness and ability to manage risks during activities
  • Creativity, flexibility and patience to adapt activities for diverse camper needs
  • Positive, energetic attitude and commitment to fostering an inclusive, joyful camp environment
  • Proactive problem-solving and willingness to ask for guidance when needed
  • Self-starter who takes the initiative
  • Must be able to work well with others, building/sustaining collaborative solid relationships
  • Ability to manage situations effectively and diplomatically and ask for help, guidance, or clarification when needed
  • Commitment to build strong relationships with campers, co-workers, and camp leadership

Physical Requirements:
  • Able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities.
  • Ability to work in variety of weather conditions for extended periods of time in case of rain, heat, humidity, cold, or other environmental factors to ensure the supervision and safety of campers in our care.
  • Able to lift and carry objects weighing 30-40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children's backpacks, etc.
  • Able to sit and kneel; getting down at eye level with children regularly.
  • Ability to swim and supervise children in pool (able to stand in pool)

ADA Statement: Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.
Benefits
In addition to offering rewarding work and great career opportunities within our mission-driven, values-driven, and family-centric environment, JCC Greater Boston proudly offers employees the generous benefits listed below.
JCCGB Perks! Each seasonal employee is eligible for access to JCC Greater Boston's top class fitness, recreation and wellness facility in Newton! Seasonal access to the JCC Fitness Center includes:
  • Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal-Sidman JCC during active seasonal employment
  • Free or discounted enrollment for camp programs may be available for camp employees' children based on availability.

Benefits are subject to review and change by the Organization, and plan documents are the primary determinant.
A Great Place to Work! JCC Greater Boston is consciously evolving as a great place to work! In our recent 2023 employee engagement survey, at least 88% of our staff gave us top ratings on:
  • Supportive colleagues
  • Team camaraderie
  • How their managers treat them
  • Individual autonomy
  • Knowing what their work contributes to and how it impacts others
  • Pride in working for the JCC
  • Program and service quality
  • Holding ourselves accountable

Our staff and leadership bring experience, excellence, and commitment to everything we offer and we are dedicated to a culture where all our employees may thrive. Our culture is built on our values, driven by our mission, and nurtured through the expert contributions of our professionals.

Apply