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Cooking Instructor Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Cooking Instructor information

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$79

$99

$116

How much do cooking instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooking instructor in Chicago, IL is $99.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $89.23 and $109.04 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.

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.

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.
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What job categories do people searching Cooking Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Cooking Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Cooking Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cooking Instructor job openings in Chicago, IL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 29% Full Time, 59% Part Time, 6% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $206,191 per year, or $99.1 per hour.
After-School Cooking Instructor

After-School Cooking Instructor

iCook After School

Chicago, IL • On-site

$60/hr

Part-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Part-time
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.
Salary Description
$60 per class (1 hour long)

Apply