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Culinary Instructor Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Prep Cook - CVI

Munster, IN · On-site

$14 - $17.50/hr

Our leaders are also mentors and culinary instructors in the community. Now come join our winning team. What We Need: The Prep Cook plays an important role in preparing high quality meals in a timely ...

Prep Cook

Munster, IN · On-site

$33K - $37K/yr

Our leaders are also mentors and culinary instructors in the community. Now come join our winning team. What We Need: The Prep Cook plays an important role in preparing high quality meals in a timely ...

Culinary Flex Shift

Algonquin, IL · On-site

$13 - $20/hr

Culinary Flex Shift (Part Time) Looking for a part-time schedule you can count on? If your ideal hours are 11:00 AM-2:00 PM or 7:00 PM-10:45 PM , we'd love to meet you. If you enjoy working with a ...

JOB OVERVIEW As a Restaurant Culinary Manager, you will be responsible for the daily operations of all back-of-the-house functions for your assigned restaurant and for providing nothing but the ...

JOB OVERVIEW As a Restaurant Culinary Manager, you will be responsible for the daily operations of all back-of-the-house functions for your assigned restaurant and for providing nothing but the ...

JOB OVERVIEW As a Restaurant Culinary Manager, you will be responsible for the daily operations of all back-of-the-house functions for your assigned restaurant and for providing nothing but the ...

JOB OVERVIEW As a Restaurant Culinary Manager, you will be responsible for the daily operations of all back-of-the-house functions for your assigned restaurant and for providing nothing but the ...

Culinary Flex Shift

Algonquin, IL · On-site

$13 - $20/hr

DESCRIPTION Culinary Flex Shift (Part Time) Looking for a part-time schedule you can count on? If your ideal hours are 11:00 AM-2:00 PM or 7:00 PM-10:45 PM , we'd love to meet you. If you enjoy ...

Showing results 41-60

Culinary Instructor information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$22.1K

$60.5K

$104K

How much do culinary instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary instructor in Chicago, IL is $60,549.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,300.00 and $64,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a culinary instructor?

As a culinary instructor, also called a chef instructor, you often teach in culinary arts programs where students train to work in professional kitchens. Your job duties as a culinary educator include preparing lesson plans and demonstrating cooking techniques. You supervise students as they practice their new skills and provide feedback on their execution. As a culinary instructor, you may teach general skills courses or specialized classes like butchery, sauces, or classes on regional cuisines. As students advance, you help cultivate professionalism in your students and help them prepare to work in the industry.

What does a culinary instructor do?

A Culinary Instructor teaches students about cooking techniques, food safety, kitchen equipment, and various cuisines. They develop lesson plans, demonstrate recipes, and oversee hands-on practice to help students build practical culinary skills. Culinary Instructors may work in culinary schools, community colleges, or private cooking classes, and they often assess students' progress through exams or practical evaluations. Their goal is to prepare students for careers in the culinary industry or to improve their cooking abilities for personal use.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a culinary instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Culinary Instructor, you need advanced culinary expertise, teaching experience, and often a degree or certification from a culinary school. Familiarity with industry-standard kitchen equipment, food safety regulations, and learning management systems is typically required. Strong communication, patience, and the ability to inspire and mentor students are vital soft skills in this role. These skills ensure high-quality instruction, safe kitchen practices, and effective student engagement, which are crucial for student success and program reputation.

What are some common challenges culinary instructors face when teaching diverse groups of students?

Culinary Instructors often teach students with varying skill levels, cultural backgrounds, and learning styles, which can make it challenging to ensure everyone keeps pace and feels included. Balancing hands-on instruction with classroom theory, maintaining kitchen safety, and managing time effectively during practical sessions are frequent hurdles. Additionally, adapting teaching methods to engage both beginners and advanced students requires flexibility and creativity. Successful instructors foster an inclusive, supportive learning environment while maintaining high standards and encouraging teamwork.

What is the difference between Culinary Instructor vs Pastry Chef?

AspectCulinary InstructorPastry Chef
CredentialsCooking certifications, culinary degreesPastry arts certifications, culinary degrees
Work EnvironmentEducational settings, culinary schoolsRestaurants, bakeries, hotels
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, culinary schoolsFood service industry, hospitality
Primary FocusTeaching cooking techniques and recipesCreating and preparing baked goods and desserts

While both Culinary Instructors and Pastry Chefs have culinary expertise and certifications, Culinary Instructors focus on teaching cooking skills in educational settings, whereas Pastry Chefs specialize in baking and pastry creation in commercial kitchens. Their work environments and primary responsibilities differ, but both roles require strong culinary knowledge and passion for food.

What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Culinary Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Culinary Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Culinary Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Culinary Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Culinary Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Culinary Instructor jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Culinary Instructor job openings:

Infographic showing various Culinary Instructor job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 32% Full Time, and 68% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $60,549 per year, or $29.1 per hour.

Lab Assistant - Hospitality Management

Harper College

Palatine, IL • On-site

$25.46 - $31.57/hr

Part-time

Posted 14 days ago


Harper College rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 627 rated colleges and universities


Job description


Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
Work is primarily indoors in a kitchen setting. A major portion of the work is physical including standing, stooping, using step stool to stock supplies, traveling between classrooms and buildings as well as organizing kitchen and kitchen equipment. Must be able to lift and transport a minimum of 50 lbs. Some evening and weekend work may be required.
Equipment/Tools Used:
Works with standard commercial kitchen tools and appliances to aid in student project development and perform light maintenance and adjustments on departmental machinery and equipment. Utilizes computers and standard office equipment.
Supervision:
Under the general supervision of the Program Coordinator and reports to the CTP Operations Manager. The Program Coordinator will provide oral and written instructions and guidance. Assists and supports any hospitality and culinary instructors.
Responsibilities
Provides support to instructors with lab, lab preparation (including services in The Dining Room) and student projects.
Assists faculty in lab set up and assists students with safety procedures in classroom. Guides students in tutorial setting.
Provides cleaning and minor adjustments of department equipment. Schedules maintenance appointments as necessary, either through third party providers or Harper facilities.
Assists in identifying equipment needed for departmental relevancy and safety, both consumable and capital expenses.
Supports faculty in selecting and ordering supplies, both perishable and shelf stable.
Ensures the maintenance of the laboratories and storage areas by inventorying, ordering, unpacking, and storing of supplies and equipment.
In partnership with the Program Coordinator, monitors departmental budget and purchase orders.
Participates in program workshops, information sessions, recruitment and special events to assist with the promotion and visibility of the Hospitality Program.
Provides an initial point of contact for the college community for directing inquiries to appropriate program faculty.
Provides direction to student aides to ensure maximum efficiency in their daily tasks.
Monitors and assists in the maintenance of industry credentials and certifications.
Ensures that all equipment, tools and supplies are in order and secure before leaving the laboratory.
Performs clerical assignments, such as making copies, filing documents, preparing reports, etc., and other duties as assigned by the Program Coordinator.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education:
Certificate in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts or related field preferred. Associate degree in one of the mentioned areas or equivalent work experience and/or certification/degree preferred.
Experience:
Working knowledge and demonstrated skills in using specific food preparation equipment and previous experience working in a commercial kitchen. Experience in inventory control, order planning and safe food storage. At least 2 years work experience in Hotel or Restaurant industry. Working knowledge of Microsoft software, including Excel and Word required. Familiarity with Oracle, Banner, Adobe Professional, and/or Microsoft Teams preferred. Experience in higher education setting preferred. ServSafe certified preferred.

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