Culinary Educator

Culinary Educator

Location: Petaluma & Sonoma Valley (Unity Kitchen)

Reports to: Director of Programs

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Salary Range: $78,000–$80,000

Organizational Overview

Sonoma Family Meal (SFM) is a community-based nonprofit building a resilient and equitable local food system. Through chef-led meal production, workforce development, and food-business incubation, we create pathways to stability and belonging for our neighbors most impacted by food insecurity and economic barriers. Operating community kitchens in Petaluma and Sonoma Valley, SFM produces thousands of nutritious meals each week, trains emerging culinary professionals, and partners with local farms, restaurants, and producers to keep our food system strong.

The Culinary Educator will serve as the primary instructor for all culinary education programs across Sonoma Family Meal’s two kitchens. This includes our Adult Culinary Job Training Program, Teen Culinary Apprenticeship, Senior Cooking & Nutrition Program, and our Small Food Business Incubator. This role combines culinary expertise, instructional leadership, and a passion for mentorship. The Culinary Educator will design and deliver curriculum, oversee hands-on instruction, ensure alignment across all training programs, and foster an inclusive and supportive environment where students can build both technical skills and confidence. SFM’s training programs serve individuals facing barriers to employment, including immigrants, refugees, and system-impacted youth.

Key Responsibilities

Program Instruction & Development

• Deliver and adapt culinary curriculum across multiple programs and sites, ensuring lessons are relevant, engaging, and aligned with industry standards.
• Lead hands-on instruction in kitchen and classroom settings for diverse audiences, including adults, teens, and seniors.
• Collaborate with program staff to integrate entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, and food systems education into training.
• Support the development of new training modules for the Small Food Business Incubator, including food safety, recipe costing, and menu development.
• Maintain a safe, professional, and positive learning environment consistent with SFM’s values of equity and inclusion

Student Support & Mentorship

• Provide individualized coaching and mentorship to students and apprentices.
• Evaluate and document student progress, attendance, and skill mastery. Partner with the Director of Program and Program Coordinators and Career Counselor on job placement, internships, and alumni support.
• Model professional kitchen culture and reinforce industry standards of teamwork, communication, and respect.

Program Coordination & Collaboration

• Collaborate with culinary and operations teams to align educational programming with SFM’s meal production and social enterprise goals.
• Coordinate with site staff, community partners, and guest chefs to enrich the educational experience.
• Work closely with program partners including the Santa Rosa Violence Prevention Program and Sonoma County Juvenile Hall to deliver teen culinary programming that provides mentorship, skill-building, and opportunity for system-impacted youth.
• Support community cooking events, volunteer engagement opportunities, and public classes as needed.
• Ensure consistent delivery and quality of instruction across both Petaluma and Unity Kitchen campuses.
• Assist with data and grant reporting as needed.
• Represent SFM’s educational programming at community events.

Competencies & Attributes

• Strong instructional and facilitation skills for diverse learners
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities
• Deep culinary knowledge and passion for teaching
• Growth mindset and ability to adapt in a dynamic, mission-driven environment
• Culturally responsive teaching style and commitment to equity

Education & Experience

• 5–7 years of experience in a professional culinary environment
• Experience teaching and leading hands-in instruction
• Demonstrated success mentoring individuals with varied learning styles and life experiences
• Experience developing curriculum or teaching in workforce development or community-based programs preferred
• ServSafe Manager certification (required within 90 days of hire)
• Proficiency in administrative and technology tools (Google Workspace, scheduling, reporting)

To apply, email resume and cover letter to whitney@sonomafamilymeal.org.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $78,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $78,000 - $80,000