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Culinary Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Culinary Instructor

Portland, OR ยท On-site

$26/hr

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.

Culinary Services Director

Hillsboro, OR ยท On-site

$90 - $120/hr

POSITION SUMMARYThe Culinary Services Director (CSD) is the department head responsible for the overall leadership, financial performance, culinary quality, hospitality, staffing, regulatory ...

Lead and mentor the culinary team, promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. * Oversee the daily operations of the culinary department, ensuring efficient and high-quality meal ...

Director Culinary Experience

Sandy, OR ยท On-site

$52K - $55K/yr

POSITION SUMMARY The Director of Culinary Experience (Executive Chef) oversees the community's dining services operations and our residents' dining experience. This includes, but is not limited to ...

Salary - Salary Plan, 80,168.40 USD Annual Work Shift: We're looking for a friendly, compassionate, leader to join our culinary team! Support the healing journey for patients and their loved ones by ...

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Culinary information

See Portland, OR salary details

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How much do culinary jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary in Portland, OR is $20.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.06 and $19.90 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a culinary professional?

A culinary professional is someone who works in the food service industry, typically preparing, cooking, and presenting food. This can include roles such as chefs, cooks, pastry chefs, and kitchen assistants. Culinary professionals work in various settings like restaurants, hotels, bakeries, and catering companies. They are skilled in food safety, recipe development, and often specialize in different cuisines or techniques. Training can include formal education at culinary schools or hands-on experience in kitchens.

Are jobs in the culinary industry in demand?

Anytime the economy is up, jobs in culinary industries are in higher demand. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts culinary jobs to grow by 10% by 2026, which is faster than the average career. There is a high rate of turnover in lower level culinary jobs like line and prep cooks, so those jobs almost always have a high demand, especially in areas where the restaurant and tourism industries are big. However, the same person usually holds head cook and chef jobs for quite some time, so they can be more difficult to attain.

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

Thriving in a culinary career requires strong cooking techniques, knowledge of food safety, and often a culinary degree or certification such as ServSafe. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, recipe management systems, and inventory software is also valuable. Creativity, attention to detail, teamwork, and resilience under pressure set standout culinary professionals apart. These skills and qualities ensure consistent food quality, operational efficiency, and a positive dining experience for guests.

What are the most common challenges faced by culinary professionals in a fast-paced kitchen environment?

Culinary professionals often encounter challenges such as managing time efficiently during busy service periods, maintaining high-quality standards under pressure, and coordinating effectively with team members. Adapting quickly to last-minute menu changes or special dietary requests is also common. Successful chefs and kitchen staff rely on strong communication skills and a collaborative attitude to overcome these hurdles and ensure smooth kitchen operations.

What is the difference between Culinary vs Chef?

AspectCulinaryChef
CredentialsOften no formal certification required; culinary training or courses commonFormal culinary education or apprenticeship typically required
Work EnvironmentRestaurants, catering, food service, culinary schoolsRestaurants, hotels, private kitchens, culinary competitions
Industry UsageBroad term for food preparation skills and knowledgeSpecific role as a professional responsible for kitchen operations
Search & Comparison IntentPeople exploring culinary skills or careers in food serviceIndividuals seeking chef roles or culinary leadership positions

While 'Culinary' refers broadly to the skills, knowledge, and industry related to food preparation, a 'Chef' is a specific professional role within that industry, often with formal training and leadership responsibilities. Understanding this difference helps job seekers and employers clarify roles and expectations in the food service industry.

What are the different careers in culinary?

Careers in culinary include roles such as executive chef, sous chef, pastry chef, line cook, kitchen manager, and food service manager. These positions require skills in food preparation, kitchen management, and often certification or training in culinary arts. Opportunities exist in restaurants, hotels, catering, and institutional food services.

What jobs can I get with culinary?

With a culinary background, you can pursue roles such as chef, sous chef, pastry chef, line cook, kitchen manager, or food service supervisor. These jobs typically require cooking skills, knowledge of food safety, and sometimes certifications like ServSafe, and they are often found in restaurants, hotels, catering companies, and institutional food services.

What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary jobs in Portland, OR?

The most popular types of Culinary jobs in Portland, OR are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Culinary job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, 31% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $41,805 per year, or $20.1 per hour.

Culinary Instructor

Stone Soup PDX

Portland, OR โ€ข On-site

$26/hr

Other

Posted 13 days ago


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.