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

Lakeside Hotel Casino

Executive Chef

West Des Moines, IA · 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.

Marriott International, Inc

Sous Chef

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$26.54 - $30.77/hr

Exhibits culinary talents by personally performing tasks while leading the staff and managing all food related functions. Works to continually improve guest and associate satisfaction while ...

Laurus Home Care

Executive Chef

Waukee, IA · 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 ...

Sodexo

Executive Chef 1

Altoona, IA · On-site

$56K - $72K/yr

About the job Take on a leadership position where your vision and expertise will drive culinary excellence. You'll lead the charge in standardizing operations, fostering team development, and ...

New

Sodexo

Executive Chef 1

Altoona, IA

$56K - $72K/yr

About the job Take on a leadership position where your vision and expertise will drive culinary excellence. You'll lead the charge in standardizing operations, fostering team development, and ...

New

Sodexo

Executive Chef 1

Altoona, IA · On-site

$56K - $72K/yr

About the job Take on a leadership position where your vision and expertise will drive culinary excellence. You'll lead the charge in standardizing operations, fostering team development, and ...

New

Sodexo

Executive Chef 1

Altoona, IA · On-site

$56 - $73/hr

About the job Take on a leadership position where your vision and expertise will drive culinary excellence. You'll lead the charge in standardizing operations, fostering team development, and ...

New

Marriott International

Sous Chef

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$26.54 - $30.77/hr

Exhibits culinary talents by personally performing tasks while leading the staff and managing all food related functions. Works to continually improve guest and associate satisfaction while ...

Marriott

Sous Chef

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$48K - $65K/yr

Exhibits culinary talents by personally performing tasks while leading the staff and managing all food related functions. Works to continually improve guest and associate satisfaction while ...

WesleyLife

Executive Chef

Newton, IA · On-site

$65K - $90K/yr

Preferred Culinary education preferred, or a combination of education and fine dining experience. Experience with menu creation, purchasing, cost control, and large function banquet production.

Park-Centre

Executive Chef

Newton, IA · On-site

$65 - $90/hr

Preferred Culinary education preferred, or a combination of education and fine dining experience. Experience with menu creation, purchasing, cost control, and large function banquet production.

WesleyLife

Executive Chef

Newton, IA

$65K - $90K/yr

Preferred Culinary education preferred, or a combination of education and fine dining experience. Experience with menu creation, purchasing, cost control, and large function banquet production.

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsCulinary Instructor JobsCulinary Instructor Jobs in Des Moines, IA

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 Sep 6, 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 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.

More about Culinary Instructor jobs

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For Culinary Instructor jobs in Des Moines, IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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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:

Culinary Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Instructor job openings in Des Moines, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $57,362 per year, or $27.6 per hour.

Executive Chef

Lakeside Hotel Casino

West Des Moines, IA • On-site

$70K - $96K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago

Lakeside Hotel Casino rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

19th of 164 rated casinos

Job description

Key Responsibilities - (Other duties may be assigned)

Leadership & Management

  • Lead, train, and mentor kitchen managers and staff.
  • Plan, assign, and evaluate work performance, providing coaching, recognition, and corrective action as needed.
  • Oversee hiring, scheduling, and workforce planning to ensure effective operations.

Culinary Operations

  • Direct all food preparation areas, ensuring quality, presentation, and timeliness.
  • Develop and standardize menus, recipes, and portion controls to ensure consistency.
  • Estimate food consumption, order supplies, and monitor inventory.
  • Maintain high standards of sanitation, food safety, and kitchen cleanliness.

Financial & Compliance

  • Control food and labor costs through effective purchasing, portioning, and waste reduction.
  • Ensure compliance with Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission regulations, health and safety standards, and company policies.
  • Accurately maintain departmental records and reports.

Collaboration & Guest Experience

  • Work closely with the Director of Hospitality to align culinary operations with business goals.
  • Support marketing and F&B leadership with special events, banquets, and promotions.
  • Participate in operational meetings and promote strong communication across departments.

Skills & Qualifications

  • Strong leadership and communication skills.
  • Ability to train, coach, and develop a diverse culinary team.
  • Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and culinary best practices.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office; strong math skills required.
  • Ability to work varied shifts, including weekends and holidays.

Education & Experience

  • High School Diploma or GED required.
  • Culinary Arts degree preferred.
  • Minimum three years of culinary leadership and supervisory experience.

Certifications & Licenses

  • ServSafe Certification (required).
  • Valid Driver’s License.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain an Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission License.

Why Join Our Team?

  • Paid Time Off (PTO) earned each pay period
  • Paid holidays
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, and Virtual Doctor Visits
  • 401(k) with Company Match.
  • Free Life Insurance 
  • Optional coverage: Disability, Additional Life, Accident, and Critical Illness Insurance.
  • Free Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), including counseling, legal guidance, and more.
  • Employee discounts, recognition programs, and team celebrations.
  • Dynamic casino environment with opportunities for professional growth.

DISCLAIMER: This job posting is intended to describe the general nature of this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Employee benefits may vary by location, position, length of service, and employment status. Final candidates will be required to complete a drug test and a background check. Many positions will require a state gaming license. Affinity Gaming is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or marital status.

#ZRHLK

 

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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