Specialist, Teaching Kitchen

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead interactive, hands-on cooking classes for guests of all skill levels, including Shared Medical Appointments for various chronic conditions and/or life stages, cooking classes, and cooking demonstrations at clinics throughout the Waco Family Medicine system.
• Demonstrate health promoting culinary techniques, cost and time saving strategies, flavor pairings, knife skills, and plating/presentation tips to promote participant confidence and health goals.
• Create class themes, menus, recipes, and accompanying educational content; serve as a key member of Shared Medical Appointment care teams by providing culinary education during sessions.
• Establish Teaching Kitchen structures for class workflows, inventory management, setup, and cleanup.
• Collaborate with staff, volunteers, patients, contract chefs, and interns to deliver effective class content.
• Procure groceries and supplies, maintain inventory, and manage recipe-related costs within an established budget.
• Maintain an organized and up-to-date recipe and curriculum library; collaborate with internal and external partners to identify culturally relevant, health promoting recipes.
• Ensure all classes and kitchen facilities follow health department standards for kitchen safety and sanitation.
• Create a hospitable, welcoming, and supportive environment for patients, staff, and community members.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Assist with kitchen operations, equipment care, and occasional administrative tasks.
• Support NMDOH programs and special events as needed; evening or weekend hours may be required to support program goals.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Visual and auditory accuracy
• Shift length - 8 hours
• Indoor setting
• Continuous use of computer and calculator
• Long periods of sitting
• Frequent use of telephone
• Continuous repetitive grasping and manipulation of both hands
• Continuous conversational communication

• Occasional reaching, walking, squatting, bending, kneeling, twisting and climbing
• Occasionally carrying, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 lbs.
• Occasionally working in confined, noisy, dusty areas
• Understand/carry out simple/detailed, oral/written instructions
• Memorize and retain instructions
• Read and interpret detailed specifications

Specialist, Teaching Kitchen

REPORTS TO: Program Manager, Non-Medical Drivers of Health (NMDoH) Programs

EDUCATION & EXPRIENCE: High School Diploma or equivalent required; ServSafe Food Handler or Food Manager Certification required; Three to five years of experience in professional cooking and/or teaching environments preferred; one to three years teaching culinary curriculums with children and adult learners required; Experience working with diverse populations or in community‑based settings required

SKILLS: Enthusiastic, confident, and culinary educator with the ability to effectively lead engaging, hands-on demonstrations in group settings. Strong organizational and multitasking skills, with the capacity to manage simultaneous responsibilities in a fast-paced, dynamic kitchen environment. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a passion for educating and empowering diverse audiences. Proven ability to manage time effectively, maintain structured class environments, and ensure high-quality instructional delivery. Knowledge of food safety standards and best practices, with a commitment to maintaining a safe, compliant, and inclusive environment. Self-motivated and resourceful, with a dedication to fostering a positive, inclusive, and educational learning atmosphere for all learners.

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The Teaching Kitchen Specialist is the lead instructor within Waco Family Medicine’s Kelley Teaching Kitchen, responsible for delivering high-quality, hands-on culinary education that supports patient engagement and community health. The Specialist leads the development and facilitation of interactive cooking classes that educate, inspire, and empower participants across skill levels, topics, diverse cultural identities, and dietary patterns. The Specialist integrates culinary expertise with instructional excellence to create engaging, mission-aligned learning experiences within a healthcare setting. This role is responsible for shaping class content, managing kitchen operations, and ensuring a welcoming, inclusive, and high-quality participant experience that advances program goals and community impact.

This is a grant-funded position with funding secured through June 30, 2027. The position may be extended based on continued funding and employee performance.