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Culinary Instructor Jobs in Des Moines, IA (NOW HIRING)

As a Culinary Assistant at Newton Village , you will gain valuable knowledge and experience by serving meals to our residents, staff, and family members. Mealtimes are a meaningful part of our ...

As a Culinary Assistant at Newton Village , you will gain valuable knowledge and experience by serving meals to our residents, staff, and family members. Mealtimes are a meaningful part of our ...

As a Culinary Assistant at Westhaven , you will gain valuable knowledge and experience by serving our residents, employees, and family members' meals. Our Dietary Department is a great group to work ...

As a Culinary Assistant at Meadowview of Clive , you will gain valuable knowledge and experience by serving our residents, employees, and family members' meals. Our Dietary Department is a great ...

As a Culinary Assistant at Westhaven , you will gain valuable knowledge and experience by serving our residents, employees, and family members' meals. Our Dietary Department is a great group to work ...

As a Culinary Assistant at Meadowview of Clive , you will gain valuable knowledge and experience by serving our residents, employees, and family members' meals. Our Dietary Department is a great ...

As a Culinary Assistant at Meadowview of Clive , you will gain valuable knowledge and experience by serving our residents, employees, and family members' meals. Our Dietary Department is a great ...

Executive Chef

Des Moines, IA ยท On-site

$69K - $96K/yr

At Aparium, our culinary teams are expected to hold themselves, the guests, and each other in high regard. You will actively develop trusting and transparent relationships with your peers on the ...

New

Executive Chef

West Des Moines, IA ยท On-site

$70K - $96K/yr

Culinary Operations * Direct all food preparation areas, ensuring quality, presentation, and timeliness. * Develop and standardize menus, recipes, and portion controls to ensure consistency.

Sous Chef

Des Moines, IA ยท On-site

$48K - $65K/yr

You have tremendous culinary aptitude and are just beginning your journey to understanding the financial side of the business, and are eager to learn more. THE ROLE The Sous Chef works directly with ...

New

Sous Chef

Des Moines, IA ยท On-site

$48K - $65K/yr

You have tremendous culinary aptitude and are just beginning your journey to understanding the financial side of the business, and are eager to learn more. THE ROLE The Sous Chef works directly with ...

Executive Chef

Waukee, IA ยท On-site

$68K - $94K/yr

Culinary labor, food and small ware financial management experience required. Primary Responsibilities for Job Executive Chef: * Achieve 100% resident satisfaction through plate presentation and ...

Executive Chef

Waukee, IA ยท On-site

$68K - $94K/yr

Culinary labor, food and small ware financial management experience required. Primary Responsibilities for Job Executive Chef: * Achieve 100% resident satisfaction through plate presentation and ...

Executive Chef

Waukee, IA

$68K - $94K/yr

Culinary labor, food and small ware financial management experience required. Primary Responsibilities for Job Executive Chef: * Achieve 100% resident satisfaction through plate presentation and ...

Executive Chef

Des Moines, IA ยท On-site

$69K - $96K/yr

Culinary labor, food and small ware financial management experience required. Primary Responsibilities for Job Executive Chef: * Achieve 100% resident satisfaction through plate presentation and ...

Executive Chef

Des Moines, IA ยท On-site

$69K - $96K/yr

Culinary labor, food and small ware financial management experience required. Primary Responsibilities for Job Executive Chef: * Achieve 100% resident satisfaction through plate presentation and ...

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Culinary Instructor information

See Des Moines, IA salary details

$21K

$57.4K

$98.6K

How much do culinary instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary instructor in Des Moines, IA is $57,362.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,900.00 and $61,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 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 popular job titles related to Culinary Instructor jobs in Des Moines, IA? For Culinary Instructor jobs in Des Moines, IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Culinary Instructor jobs in Des Moines, IA look for? The top searched job categories for Culinary Instructor jobs in Des Moines, IA are:
What cities near Des Moines, IA are hiring for Culinary Instructor jobs? Cities near Des Moines, IA with the most Culinary Instructor job openings:
Infographic showing various Culinary Instructor job openings in Des Moines, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $57,362 per year, or $27.6 per hour.

Culinary Assistant

Cassia

Newton, IA โ€ข On-site

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Newton Village, a Cassia community, is hiring Culinary Assistants to join our culinary team! This is a great opportunity for those seeking entry-level work or looking to grow and develop their culinary skills in a healthcare setting. No experience is required-we will provide all the training you need to succeed. Plus, enjoy guaranteed hours and no late nights!
As a Culinary Assistant at Newton Village, you will gain valuable knowledge and experience by serving meals to our residents, staff, and family members. Mealtimes are a meaningful part of our residents' day, and your role helps create a warm and welcoming dining experience. Our Culinary Department is a fun, dedicated team that is truly valued by staff and residents alike. If you have a passion for great customer service and want to make a difference, we'd love to meet you!
Position Type: Part-Time working evenings and weekends
Shifts Available: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm (weekdays) and 6:00 am - 2:30 pm or 7:00 am - 3:30 pm or 8:00 am - 4:30 pm or 10:30bam - 7:00 pm (weekends)
Location: 110 N 5th Ave W, Newton, IA 50208
Culinary Assistant Responsibilities:
  • Deliver excellent customer service to residents, staff, and families.
  • Work within the department to provide quality and nutritious meals and service to residents.
  • Assist with food preparation and serving meals to residents.
  • Help maintain a clean and sanitary dietary department.
  • Wash dishes and clean the kitchen and dining rooms.
  • Assist residents, employees, and guests with a broad range of dietary needs.
  • Perform other duties as needed.
Culinary Assistant Qualifications:
  • Prior restaurant or healthcare experience preferred, but not required. We'll train you!
  • Strong communication skills to interact with residents and staff.
  • Excellent customer service skills.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Basic math skills.
Cassia Benefits:
  • Competitive Pay with experience-based raises
  • Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Forgiveness (site-specific)
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) & 403(b)/401(k) with Employer Match
  • Comprehensive Health Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance) for Full-Time Employees
  • Meal discounts

About Us:
Join our friendly staff at our award-winning facility! Here at Newton Village, we care about you, and we show it by offering discounted meals and monthly drawings for our staff. We take pride in supporting you succeed and offer plenty of opportunities for advancement. Newton Village has been recognized with the 2025 Customer Experience Award. Here we have a generous staff--to-resident ratio as well as flexible scheduling and wonderful benefits. Don't hesitate - apply today to join our team!
Cassia is a nonprofit, mission-driven senior care organization with over 200 years of experience. As a Cassia community, we are dedicated to fostering fullness of life for older adults by providing compassionate, high-quality care. Our Service Standards of Respect, Excellence, Integrity, Stewardship, Compassion, Collaboration, Unity, and Innovation are the bedrock of all that we do. We value inclusivity, collaboration, and professional growth, ensuring our employees feel supported in their careers. To learn more, visit our website: https://www.newtonvillage.org/
Join us and become part of a nonprofit organization that truly makes a difference!
#LI-DNI
Cassia is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action & veteran friendly employer.