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Culinary Arts Instructor Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

The Kitchen Instructor should be committed to the YMCA mission and enthusiastic and motivated to ... A degree/certification in culinary arts or kitchen management and at least two years' experience in ...

Program areas include nature, athletics, archery, dance, culinary arts, enrichment, health and ... with instructors, staff, and participants Enforce departmental policies and procedures Ensure ...

Recreation Specialist

Lynchburg, VA · On-site

$16 - $19/hr

Program areas include nature, athletics, archery, dance, culinary arts, enrichment, health and ... Communicate effectively with instructors, staff, and participants * Enforce departmental policies ...

Culinary Arts Instructor information

See Virginia salary details

$15.9K

$65.9K

$217.1K

How much do culinary arts instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary arts instructor in Virginia is $65,932.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,100.00 and $63,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a culinary arts instructor?

Culinary Arts Instructors are professionals who teach students the techniques and principles of cooking, baking, and food preparation. They work in culinary schools, community colleges, or vocational programs, guiding students through hands-on practice and classroom instruction. In addition to teaching cooking skills, they may also cover topics such as food safety, nutrition, and kitchen management. Culinary Arts Instructors often draw on their own professional experience in the culinary industry to prepare students for a range of food service careers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a culinary arts instructor?

To thrive as a Culinary Arts Instructor, you need advanced culinary expertise, teaching skills, and typically a degree or certification from a recognized culinary institution. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food safety standards (like ServSafe certification), and curriculum development tools is essential. Strong communication, patience, and leadership abilities help engage students and foster a positive learning environment. These skills ensure effective teaching, student success, and adherence to industry standards in culinary education.

What are some of the main challenges culinary arts instructors face when teaching students with varying skill levels?

Culinary Arts Instructors often work with students who have diverse backgrounds and varying levels of kitchen experience. One of the main challenges is creating lesson plans that are engaging and accessible for beginners, while still providing depth and advanced techniques for more experienced students. Balancing hands-on practice with theoretical knowledge, fostering teamwork in the kitchen, and ensuring safety and sanitation standards are consistently upheld also require careful attention. Instructors must adapt their teaching methods and offer individualized feedback to help every student succeed.

What is the difference between Culinary Arts Instructor vs Pastry Chef?

AspectCulinary Arts InstructorPastry Chef
CredentialsCooking certifications, culinary degreesPastry-specific training, culinary degrees
Work EnvironmentEducational settings, culinary schoolsRestaurants, bakeries, hotels
Industry UsageTeaching, curriculum developmentFood preparation, menu creation

The Culinary Arts Instructor primarily focuses on teaching culinary skills in educational settings, often requiring teaching credentials and culinary degrees. In contrast, a Pastry Chef specializes in creating baked goods and desserts in professional kitchens. While both roles require culinary expertise, their work environments and daily responsibilities differ significantly, with instructors emphasizing education and pastry chefs focusing on food production and creativity.

What are popular job titles related to Culinary Arts Instructor jobs in Virginia?

For Culinary Arts Instructor jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Culinary Arts Instructor jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Culinary Arts Instructor job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Culinary Arts Instructor jobs in VA?

For Culinary Arts Instructor jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Culinary Arts Instructor job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, and 35% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $65,932 per year, or $31.7 per hour.

Program Director, Culinary Arts

ECPI University

Glen Allen, VA • On-site

$65K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago


ECPI University rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

560th of 631 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Good Faith Pay Range: In accordance with Virginia law, the good-faith pay range for this position is $65,520-$80,600 per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, education, experience, skills, and other legitimate business factors.
This position is based at our Glen Allen, VA campus location. Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate.
Transform your Career at ECPI University
Culinary Institute of Virginia (CIV) is the College of Culinary Arts at ECPI University. ECPI University, with campuses in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Online, is a nationally ranked, regionally accredited, private institution offering Master's, Bachelor's, and Associate degrees, diploma and certification programs in Technology, Health Science, Business, Criminal Justice, and Culinary Arts. For over 55 years, ECPI University has been helping adult and non-traditional students achieve their career goals in a hands-on, student-centered environment and collaborating closely with employers to ensure our graduates have the knowledge and skills they need to be successful on the job. We are looking for dynamic, caring professionals who are dedicated to making a difference in people's lives.
The Program Director is responsible for the management of all areas of the specific education department/program, including instruction, curriculum, student success, expenses, enforcement of policies and procedures, scheduling of classes, and accreditation standards in order to maintain quality education which meets state and federal requirements and ECPI University guidelines. Provides management and coaching to both faculty and students to ensure a professional experience while increasing the levels of academic quality for all.
Responsibilities
Student Retention and Support
• Administer high-level academic support to ensure retention of students so that they succeed in their academic endeavors.
• Provide support to students through advising and next level handling of student issues.
• Provide oversight and answer questions relative to the evaluation of transcripts of transfer students for purposes of admission to a program of study.
• Administer proficiency tests as appropriate.
• Monitor faculty follow-up with students concerning absence, missing work and/or poor academic progress, contributing to the institution's commitment to student retention and success.
• Contribute to regularly scheduled retention meetings.
Faculty Support and Oversight
• Assist with selection and hiring of faculty. Orient, manage, train, and evaluate faculty in the Department.
• Participate in the collection of documentation required to meet state and accrediting agency requirements for faculty.
• Evaluate instructor transcripts to assign appropriately credentialed instructors to teach courses in the Department.
• Observe Instructors to ensure quality of instruction meets our objectives.
• Ensure faculty meet their responsibilities relative to mid-term grades, final grades, student attendance, at-risk students, etc.
• Manage faculty loading, class scheduling and faculty scheduling ensuring appropriate student/faculty ratio and classroom utilization.
• Review and provide feedback on instructor performance. Conducts periodic performance reviews with each instructor.
• Monitor faculty development needs and provide documentation of faculty development plan and outcomes.
• Review student evaluations and share evaluations with faculty , using results as a means for identification of opportunities for improvement.
• Review and approve faculty professional development plan annually.
• Evaluate faculty progress toward professional development plan semi-annually, based upon review of evidence provided.
• Develop adjunct faculty pool with appropriate academic and professional credentials.
• Teach classes for absent faculty, as necessary. May be required to work extra hours to include evenings, as necessary, and as directed by the Campus Director of Academic Affairs.
Curriculum
• Lead the program review and revision process, using student outcomes data and input from advisory boards to drive decision-making.
• Contribute to the identification and development of new programs, and alignment of existing curriculum.
• Identify requirements and needs to meet national and programmatic accreditation requirements as well as any state licensure requirements.
• Participate in institutional effectiveness programs as it relates to the specific program including data collection, analysis and continuous improvement at the campus level.
Administration
• Develop a schedule of course offerings for each term.
• Ensure that attendance is taken in every class for each scheduled meeting time.
• Maintain required documentation of all student and instructor issues.
• Assist in management of department expenses within limitations of the budget. Participate in the budgeting process; operate within budget constraints.
• Maintain compliance with school, state, and accreditation policies in the areas of instruction, curriculum, student satisfactory academics, and attendance.
• Serve on campus and university-wide committees.
• Assist with monitoring the grading system, testing procedures, lab equipment, textbooks, classroom size, and student/staff morale.
Professional/Community Involvement
• Maintain membership in professional organizations and attend/speak at professional meetings and seminars, as appropriate.
• Identify opportunities for student participation in professional organizations including student competitions.
• Interact with community leaders to ensure student participation in community service projects.
• Participate in development and management of local corporate programs.
• Maintain liaison with industry, accreditation, community and government organizations as needed. Work with advisory boards.
Qualifications
Education/Experience:
• Possess appropriate degree based on the academic subject area/field of instruction and applicable accreditation requirements. Terminal degree required if responsible for graduate-level program.
• Typically has teaching experience in higher education, experience in curriculum development and implementation, and/or industry experience as required by accreditation standards.
• Proven administrative and leadership skills.
Skills/Abilities:
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Superior organization, prioritization, and self-motivation skills
• Strong computer literacy skills: LMS Experience is a plus
• Ability to adapt to changing assignments and multiple priorities
• Ability to successfully meet deadlines
Benefits of Employment
The Culinary Institute of Virginia provides a comprehensive benefits program designed to help our faculty and staff stay healthy, feel supported, and maintain a work/life balance.
To learn more about benefits at ECPI University, click HERE.
Committed to excellence and innovation, ECPI University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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