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Cooking Instructor Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta

$14 - $19.25/hr

Areas of need for Specialty Instructors(include, but not limited to ... Archery, Arts and Crafts, Basketball, Cheer, Tumbling, Climbing Wall and Ropes Course, Cooking ...

YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta

Areas of need for Specialty Instructors(include, but not limited to ... Archery, Arts and Crafts, Basketball, Cheer, Tumbling, Climbing Wall and Ropes Course, Cooking ...

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All JobsCooking Instructor JobsCooking Instructor Jobs in Virginia

Cooking Instructor information

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$76

$95

$112

How much do cooking instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooking instructor in Virginia is $95.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85.82 and $104.86 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.

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.

Can I teach culinary school without a degree?

Cooking instructors typically do not need a formal degree but should have extensive culinary experience, strong teaching skills, and relevant certifications or credentials. Many employers prioritize practical expertise and industry knowledge over formal education when hiring culinary instructors.

What is the highest paying job for a cook?

The highest paying roles for cooks include executive chefs and head chefs in fine dining restaurants or luxury hotels, where salaries can exceed $70,000 annually. Specialized roles such as culinary directors or restaurant owners also tend to offer higher compensation, often supplemented by profit sharing or bonuses.

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 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.

How to become a cooking instructor?

To become a cooking instructor, you typically need culinary training or experience in cooking, along with strong communication skills. Many employers prefer candidates with a culinary degree or certification, and some may require food safety certifications. Gaining teaching experience and developing a specialty can also enhance your qualifications.

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 much does a Culinary Institute of America instructor make a year?

Culinary Institute of America instructors typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and the specific institution. Salaries may vary based on location, full-time or part-time status, and additional responsibilities such as curriculum development or student mentorship.
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Cooking Instructor jobs near you
Seasonal Chef Instructor, Savory (Sur La Table)

Seasonal Chef Instructor, Savory (Sur La Table)

CSC Generation

Alexandria, VA

Part-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

With over 58 stores and the largest avocational cooking program in the US, Sur La Table offers an unsurpassed selection of exclusive and premium-quality goods for the kitchen and table – and the culinary expertise and inspiration to go along with it. Whether the job entails interacting with our customers, driving digital growth, or providing vital behind-the-scenes support, we’re all here for the same reason – to roll up our sleeves and create happiness through cooking and sharing good food. 

Position Overview
As a Seasonal Chef Instructor, Savory at Sur La Table, you are the in-store expert and advocate for all things savory cooking. You deliver #bestincenter service, a company-wide standard for excellence in service, by sharing specialized knowledge in culinary techniques, cooking fundamentals, and personalized instruction that supports all company initiatives. The Seasonal Chef Instructor, Savory plays a key role in inspiring a love for cooking while driving sales of cookware, cutlery, and kitchen tools through hands-on savory classes and engaging culinary instruction.
 
Key Responsibilities
Customer Experience & Brand Representation
·        Represent Sur La Table’s brand and culture by creating memorable, educational experiences that inspire repeat visits and customer loyalty. 
·        Deliver exceptional in-store culinary experiences focused on savory cooking classes that reflect Sur La Table’s passion for food, teaching, and high standards, while following provided recipes and game plans to ensure consistency and quality.
·        Communicate technical cooking concepts and savory techniques in a clear, encouraging, and approachable manner.
·        Maintains expertise by staying current on products, actively engaging in available training, and independently seeking out additional resources.
Sales & Business Performance
·        Drive sales by upholding kitchen standards, encouraging second class sign-ups through strong customer engagement, and promoting retail items used or featured in class.
·        Deliver class revenue goals by ensuring high enrollment, positive reviews, and guest return rates.
·        Consistently meet or exceed culinary program goals by delivering exceptional classes that drive customer engagement and sales. Performance is measured by key KPIs such as second-class sign-ups, retail culinary product sales, and guest feedback through Google reviews.
Team Engagement & Store Support
·        Assist in setting up and breakdown of classes including organizing mise en place, prepping ingredients, and cleaning workstations.
·        Clean and sanitize dishes and equipment promptly to ensure smooth kitchen operations.
·        Assist with restocking, organizing, and maintaining kitchen supplies and tools to support overall store readiness.
Operations & Compliance
·        Ensure compliance with food safety standards, local health codes, and sanitation regulations.
·        Properly handle all tools, ingredients, and kitchen equipment to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
·        Maintain accurate inventory levels, minimize shrink, and control supply and culinary expenses.
·        May handle liquor, wine, and beer in compliance with state and location alcohol regulations, company policies, including enforcing age restrictions.
·        Ensure store safety and cleanliness, addressing any maintenance needs promptly.
·        Adhere to applicable wage and hour laws.  Accurately records time worked according to SLT Policy.
·        Model and ensure consistent adherence to all Sur La Table policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
 
Physical Requirements
·        Ability to communicate verbally and work cooperatively with associates and customers.
·        Ability to remain standing for up to 4 hours at a time.
·        Ability to move about the store directing class participants while selling to customers and retrieving merchandise from stockroom or sales floor.
·        The capability to accurately perceive and differentiate variations in intensity or quality of flavors or odors, or to identify specific tastes or scents using the tongue or nose.
·        Ability to grab, reach, push, pull, bend, stoop, kneel and crouch to demonstrate, retrieve and/or replenish merchandise and/or cooking equipment.
·        Ability to use hands to seize, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise to chop, whisk, slice, stir, juice and/or demonstrate other techniques.
·        Ability to lift and/or move merchandise weighing up to 50 lbs.
·        Ability to ascend/descend ladders to retrieve and/or move merchandise.
·        Ability to operate a computer, POS system, keyboards, merchandise scanners and mouse to accomplish work.
·        Available to work between 12 and 16 hours per week, with a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays. While this is the minimum availability, scheduled hours may differ based on business needs.
·        Regular and predictable attendance with the flexibility to adjust class assignments based on demand.
·        Ability to work in a variable kitchen environment included but not limited to open flames, hot surfaces, temperature variations, various food allergens both physical and airborne.
 
Qualifications & Experience
·        Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of employment.
·        A degree in culinary arts is preferred; however, candidates with extensive culinary experience and demonstrated technical proficiency will be considered in lieu of formal education.
·        1-2 years of kitchen operations experience.
·        Valid Food Manager Certification.
·        Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
·        Passion for community engagement and providing exceptional customer experiences.
This job description represents a summary of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. Responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder might differ from those outlined in the job description and other duties, as assigned, may be part of the job. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Sur La Table has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

The CSC family of brands provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, state or local laws.  
 
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
 
Washington state applicants only: If you believe that this job posting does not comply with applicable Washington state law, please notify us by sending an email to WACandidates@cscshared.com. 
 
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie-detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. 
  
The CSC family of brands is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact hrbenefits@cscshared.com.  

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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About CSC Generation

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

CSC Generation is a multi-brand technology platform based in Merrillville, IN, United States. The organization operates in the retail sector and utilizes technology to save retail companies from going into bankruptcy, while also offering consumers the ability to lease their purchases. Founded by serial entrepreneur, Justin Yoshimura, CSC Generation has leveraged its proprietary technology and customer database to quickly revitalize distressed retail brands. The company's mission revolves around the concepts of reinvention and innovation as it aims to redefine traditional retail and direct-to-consumer models in today's digital age. Notably, the company has, to date, acquired several brands such as DirectBuy, Killion, and most notably, Z Gallerie, growing fast within the e-commerce sector.

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Merrillville, IN, US

Year founded

2016

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