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Cooking Instructor Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Latino Network

SUN Extended Day Instructor

Portland, OR · On-site

$16.50 - $19/hr

SUN Extended Day Instructor Reports To: SUN Community School Site Manager Classification ... cooking/nutrition, dance, creative writing, environmental science, foreign language, geography ...

Latino Network

SUN Extended Day Instructor

Portland, OR · On-site

$16.50 - $19/hr

SUN Extended Day Instructor Reports To: SUN Community School Site Manager Classification ... cooking/nutrition, dance, creative writing, environmental science, foreign language, geography ...

Latino Network

SUN Extended Day Instructor

Portland, OR · On-site

$16.50 - $19/hr

SUN Extended Day Instructor Reports To: SUN Community School Site Manager Classification ... cooking/nutrition, dance, creative writing, environmental science, foreign language, geography ...

Latino Network

SUN Extended Day Instructor

Portland, OR · On-site

$16.50 - $19/hr

SUN Extended Day Instructor Reports To: SUN Community School Site Manager Classification ... cooking/nutrition, dance, creative writing, environmental science, foreign language, geography ...

All JobsCooking Instructor JobsCooking Instructor Jobs in Portland, OR

Cooking Instructor information

See Portland, OR salary details

$81

$101

$120

How much do cooking instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooking instructor in Portland, OR is $101.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91.78 and $112.16 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 Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 31% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $212,100 per year, or $102 per hour.

Garden Home Instructor

Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District

Beaverton, OR

$19.78 - $24.59/hr

Part-time

Posted 12 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.

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