ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Culinary Instructor Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Stone Soup PDX

Culinary Instructor

Portland, OR · On-site

$26/hr

Stone Soup PDX is looking for a Culinary Instructor to teach, coach, and mentor adults preparing for careers in food service. We're not a culinary school. We're a workforce training program that uses ...

Topgolf

Culinary Supervisor

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

Job Responsibilities * Supervise and lead kitchen staff, including cooks, prep chefs, and dishwashers. * Ensure the kitchen operates smoothly, meeting food safety and quality standards. * Oversee ...

LSG Sky Chefs

Employee Experience Manager

Portland, OR · On-site

$93K - $116K/yr

Built on a legacy of operational excellence, culinary expertise, and continuous innovation, we are ... Delivering engaging classroom and instructor-led training for employees and leaders. * Supporting ...

themac

1891 Kitchen Sous Chef

Portland, OR

$53K - $71K/yr

The Sous Chef is a hands-on culinary leader who supports daily kitchen operations, supervises and develops culinary team members, and helps ensure operational excellence across multiple outlets. This ...

themac

1891 Kitchen Sous Chef

Portland, OR · On-site

$53K - $71K/yr

The Sous Chef is a hands-on culinary leader who supports daily kitchen operations, supervises and develops culinary team members, and helps ensure operational excellence across multiple outlets. This ...

PRS Management, Inc.

Executive Chef

Portland, OR · On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

Overview Holladay Park Plaza, Portland's premier upscale senior living community, is seeking an experienced Executive Chef with a minimum of 5 years of experience in culinary leadership or equivalent ...

CoralTree Hospitality

Executive Chef

Portland, OR · On-site

$105K - $115K/yr

Provides visionary leadership and management of the culinary research and development process from product creation through implementation. Devises innovative product offerings for a variety of ...

Multnomah Athletic Club

1891 Kitchen Sous Chef

Portland, OR · On-site

$65K - $80K/yr

The Sous Chef is a hands-on culinary leader who supports daily kitchen operations, supervises and develops culinary team members, and helps ensure operational excellence across multiple outlets. This ...

RiverPlace Hotel

Executive Chef

Portland, OR · On-site

$105K - $115K/yr

Responsibilities Provides visionary leadership and management of the culinary research and development process from product creation through implementation. Devises innovative product offerings for a ...

RiverPlace Hotel

Executive Chef

Portland, OR

$75K - $104K/yr

Responsibilities Provides visionary leadership and management of the culinary research and development process from product creation through implementation. Devises innovative product offerings for a ...

the Chef Agency

Executive Chef

Portland, OR

$130K - $160K/yr

Luxury wine-country resort featuring multiple culinary outlets, banquets, room service, spa dining, and off-site events. Qualifications: * Minimum 5 years of experience as an Executive Chef or ...

New

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCulinary Instructor JobsCulinary Instructor Jobs in Portland, OR

Culinary Instructor information

See Portland, OR salary details

$22.8K

$62.3K

$107.1K

How much do culinary instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary instructor in Portland, OR is $62,333.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,700.00 and $66,800.00 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

What are popular job titles related to Culinary Instructor jobs in Portland, OR?

For Culinary Instructor jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Culinary Instructor jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Culinary Instructor jobs in Portland, OR are:

What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Culinary Instructor jobs?

Cities near Portland, OR with the most Culinary Instructor job openings:

Culinary Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Instructor job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $62,333 per year, or $30 per hour.

Culinary Instructor

Stone Soup PDX

Portland, OR • On-site

$26/hr

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

$26/hr. Four days a week. Occasional nights and weekends


Love Teaching? Know your way around a professional kitchen? 

Stone Soup PDX is looking for a Culinary Instructor to teach, coach, and mentor adults preparing for careers in food service. We're not a culinary school. We're a workforce training program that uses food as a pathway to opportunity.

We're looking for an educator at heart who also has real professional kitchen experience. You might be a restaurant professional who discovered that training and mentoring others is your favorite part of the job. Or you might come from education, outdoor school, workforce development, community programs, or another teaching environment and also have a strong culinary background.

You do not need to be a career chef or culinary school instructor. You do need enough professional kitchen experience to confidently teach industry standards, techniques, food safety, and what it takes to succeed on the job.


What You'll Do

  • Teach hands-on culinary skills in the classroom and kitchen
  • Coach participants as they build skills, confidence, and workplace readiness
  • Adapt your teaching to different learning styles and experience levels
  • Provide clear, encouraging feedback
  • Teach professional kitchen standards, food safety, recipes, and techniques
  • Work alongside our program team to help participants succeed
  • Pitch in with kitchen production, prep, cleaning, and organization when needed


We'd Love to Meet You if You...

  • Love teaching, coaching, or mentoring people
  • Have 3+ years of professional culinary or commercial kitchen experience
  • Can explain not just how to do something, but why
  • Are patient, encouraging, organized, and comfortable leading a group
  • Enjoy working with people from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences
  • Believe everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and build a meaningful career
  • Are comfortable in a busy, collaborative kitchen environment

Teaching, training, mentoring, youth development, workforce development, outdoor education, community education, restaurant training, or similar experience is a big plus.

A culinary degree is not required.


About Stone Soup PDX

Stone Soup PDX is a nonprofit workforce development organization. Our free 12-week training program helps adults facing barriers to employment gain the culinary skills, workplace experience, confidence, and support they need to move into food service careers.

We're not a culinary school. We're a workforce training program that uses food as a pathway to opportunity.

If you're someone who gets genuinely excited when the person you're teaching finally says, "I got it!" - we want to hear from you.

Come teach with us.

Stone Soup PDX is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and career paths.

Apply