Cooking Instructor for Youth Programming

Company Description

Schoolhouse Kitchen Studio is Chicagoland’s premier cooking school for kids and families, offering creative, hands-on culinary and craft programming for children of all ages. With three studio locations in Oak Park, Wicker Park, and Portage Park, we bring communities together through the joy of cooking, creativity, and experiential learning.

In addition to our studio-based classes and workshops, Schoolhouse partners with schools and community organizations throughout Chicagoland to provide engaging food education and hands-on culinary programming. Our mission is to inspire curiosity, build confidence, and help children develop lifelong skills in a fun, welcoming, and inclusive environment.

Schoolhouse Kitchen Studio is hiring for multiple positions across Chicagoland!
Join our team and help make cooking an exciting, creative, and meaningful experience for kids and families. Many of our instructors work in both of the roles below.

LEAD INSTRUCTOR – SCHOOLHOUSE MOBILE KITCHEN

Part-Time | $25 per hour | Chicagoland

Schoolhouse Kitchen Studio is looking for enthusiastic, creative, and dependable Lead Instructors to lead our Mobile Kitchen cooking classes and workshops for kids and families throughout Chicagoland. This part-time, on-site role brings hands-on culinary education directly to schools, community organizations, and partner locations.

As a Lead Instructor, you’ll plan and lead age-appropriate cooking lessons, demonstrate basic culinary techniques and kitchen safety, manage classroom activities, and engage children through interactive cooking and creative projects. You’ll work with our team to prepare and organize ingredients and supplies, ensure food safety and cleanliness, and create a welcoming, inclusive environment where every child feels encouraged to participate.

Additional responsibilities include communicating with families and community partners, tracking attendance, sharing program feedback, and helping us continually improve our curriculum and activities. You’ll play an important role in making cooking an engaging, educational, and joyful experience for children of all ages.

Our Mobile Kitchen serves communities throughout Chicagoland, including Northbrook, Evanston, Elmhurst, Oak Park, La Grange Park, River Forest, Riverside, and neighborhoods throughout Chicago. We’ll do our best to match you with opportunities in your geographic area. Reliable transportation requirements vary by assignment, and a car is not necessary for every role.

Training is provided, and professional culinary experience is not required! We’re looking for people who LOVE working with kids and love cooking, too. If you’re passionate about hands-on learning and want to make a positive impact in your community, we’d love to meet you!

Qualifications

• Experience teaching, mentoring, or leading group programs for children, youth, or families, ideally in educational, recreational, culinary, or arts-based settings.
• An interest in cooking and food education, with knowledge of basic culinary techniques, kitchen safety, and food handling, or a willingness to learn.
• A genuine love of working with children and the ability to create a fun, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage children of different ages and backgrounds.
• Organizational and time-management skills, including preparing lesson materials, coordinating supplies, and keeping classes running smoothly.
• Ability to help transport, set up, and organize cooking supplies and equipment as needed for mobile programming.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and safely handle kitchen materials and equipment.
• Reliability, flexibility, and a collaborative attitude when working with the Schoolhouse team and community partners.
• Availability for part-time shifts, including afternoons, evenings, and weekends as needed.
• Reliable transportation to assigned program locations, depending on the role.
• Previous experience in youth development, education, hospitality, or community programming is a plus.
• CPR/First Aid and food handler certifications are preferred, or a willingness to obtain them.

Why Join Schoolhouse?

• Competitive pay: $25 per hour for a 4 hour class period. Class is about 1 hour but we pay for prep time and clean-up. $100 per class with a regular schedule that you choose.
• Meaningful work: Help children build confidence, creativity, and practical life skills through cooking.
• Variety and community connection: Bring engaging culinary experiences to schools and community organizations throughout Chicagoland.
• Training and support: Learn our curriculum and teaching approach with support from our team.
• Flexible geographic opportunities: We’ll work to match you with assignments in your area whenever possible.

If you love cooking, enjoy working with kids, and want to share the joy of food through hands-on learning, we’d love to hear from you!

__________________________________________________________________________________

LEAD INSTRUCTOR – SCHOOLHOUSE LOCATIONS

Part-Time | $20–$25 per hour | Oak Park & Wicker Park, Chicago

We’re looking for enthusiastic, creative, and dependable Lead Instructors to join our team at our Schoolhouse locations in Oak Park and Wicker Park! In this part-time, on-site role, you’ll lead engaging, hands-on cooking classes and workshops for children and families in a fun, welcoming, and supportive environment.

As a Lead Instructor, you’ll plan and lead age-appropriate culinary lessons, demonstrate basic cooking techniques and kitchen safety, manage classroom activities, and help kids build confidence and creativity through food. You’ll create a positive learning environment where children can explore new ingredients, develop practical life skills, and discover the joy of cooking.

Responsibilities include preparing ingredients and materials, organizing kitchen supplies, maintaining a clean and safe teaching environment, managing classroom flow, and communicating with families and team members. You’ll also help adapt lessons to different age groups and learning styles while ensuring every child feels included, encouraged, and excited to participate.

You don’t need to be a professional chef to apply! We’re looking for someone who genuinely loves working with kids, enjoys cooking, and is excited to share that passion with others. Training is available, and experience in culinary education is not required.

Qualifications

• Experience teaching, mentoring, or leading group activities for children, ideally in educational, recreational, culinary, or arts-based settings.
• A genuine love of working with children and the ability to create a fun, engaging, and inclusive learning environment.
• An interest in cooking and food education, with a willingness to learn and teach basic culinary techniques and kitchen safety.
• Strong communication, leadership, and classroom management skills.
• Organization and initiative, with the ability to prepare materials, follow lesson plans, and keep classes running smoothly.
• A commitment to maintaining high standards of food safety, cleanliness, and kitchen organization.
• Reliability, flexibility, and the ability to work independently while collaborating with the Schoolhouse team.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and safely handle kitchen supplies and equipment.
• Availability for part-time shifts, including afternoons, evenings, or weekends as needed.
• CPR/First Aid and food handler certifications are a plus, but a willingness to obtain them is welcome.

Why Join Our Team?

• Competitive pay: $20–$25 per hour, based on experience and qualifications.
• Meaningful work: Help children build confidence, creativity, and lifelong cooking skills.
• A fun, hands-on environment: Share your passion for food, learning, and working with kids.
• Training and support: We’ll help you get comfortable with our curriculum and teaching approach.
• Convenient locations: Opportunities at our Oak Park and Wicker Park Schoolhouses.

If you love cooking, enjoy working with children, and want to make a positive impact through hands-on learning, we’d love to hear from you!

Pay: From $25.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $25