Chef Operations Manager

Cookology Culinary School & Metropolitan Culinary Arts Institute

Location: Ballston Quarter, Arlington, VA

Position: Full-time, on-site

Schedule: Wednesday–Sunday, maximum 40 hours per week

Cookology Culinary School and Metropolitan Culinary Arts Institute are seeking a culinary professional for an administrative and operations-focused management position.

This role is ideal for an experienced chef who understands kitchens, recipes, culinary education, and hospitality but is interested in working beyond a traditional chef or instructor position.

The Manager, Operations will support class development, event preparation, marketing, customer service, and day-to-day operations for both Cookology and MCAI.

The ideal candidate is organized, dependable, creative, customer-focused, and capable of taking ownership of projects without continuous supervision.

• Create and develop recreational cooking classes, camps, and private events.
• Prepare detailed class and event sheets for chefs and staff.
• Review recipes for accuracy, efficacy, portioning, equipment needs, and realistic class timing.
• Create classroom and event floor plans, including seating, workstations, equipment placement, and guest flow.
• Confirm that recipes, ingredients, equipment, supplies, staffing, and instructional materials are ready before each class.
• Set up classrooms and assist chefs before, during, and after classes and events.
• Support adult classes, children’s programs, camps, corporate events, and professional culinary programs.
• Create marketing materials, flyers, signage, and promotional content using Canva.
• Provide administrative support to the Owner, General Manager, MCAI Recruiter, instructors, and staff.
• Greet customers, students, parents, and guests with professionalism and enthusiasm.
• Resolve operational and customer concerns with a positive, solutions-oriented approach.
• Manage projects independently, meet deadlines, and communicate clearly with staff.
  

• Professional culinary education or significant culinary-industry experience.
• Strong understanding of recipes, kitchen operations, class timing, and culinary events.
• Excellent organizational, administrative, and customer-service skills.
• Comfortable using Canva, email, spreadsheets, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office.
• Able to work independently and manage multiple deadlines.
• Confident working with adults, children, parents, chefs, students, and corporate guests.
• Weekend availability is required.
• Background check required due to interaction with minors.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and assist with classroom setup, supplies, and equipment.
  

• Wednesday–Friday: 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
• Sunday: 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
• Maximum 40 hours per week
• No remote or hybrid work

Depending on programming and staffing needs, full weekends or individual weekend days may be available at the beginning and end of each month with advance approval.

• Competitive compensation
• Compensation review after successful completion of the first 90 days
• Annual merit-based bonus opportunities
• Monthly health insurance stipend
• Monthly transportation benefit
• 10 paid vacation days after nine months of employment