Culinary Specialist

Organizational Overview

Youth With Faces (YWF) believes in the potential of justice-involved youth and equips them with the life and career skills to break the cycle of incarceration. Our programs focus on Culinary Arts & Hospitality, Career Readiness, Financial Empowerment, and FutureU reentry services.

Position Summary

The Culinary Arts Specialist is a hands-on instructor and program facilitator responsible for delivering

engaging culinary and hospitality training to youth in juvenile justice settings. This role combines in-class instruction, student mentoring, and program coordination—ensuring high-quality learning experiences that prepare students for certification, employment, and personal growth.

This is an in-person role based primarily at our McKinney location, with occasional support in South

Dallas and community-based settings.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Instruction & Facilitation
• Lead hands-on culinary instruction, including food safety, nutrition, kitchen fundamentals, and front-of-house service.
• Prepare youth for Food Handler and Food Manager certification exams (proctor training provided).
• Deliver curriculum aligned with YWF standards, collaborating with the Culinary Program
• Manager on lesson planning, menus, and classroom experience.
• Organize and facilitate capstone catering events to showcase student skills each quarter.Student

Engagement & Support

• Serve as a mentor and role model, fostering a professional, respectful, and growth-oriented learning environment.
• Support students through the full program lifecycle—intake, attendance, certification, documentation, and reentry preparation.
• Oversee student roles during catering events and provide supervision for interns.

Administrative & Operational Support

• Maintain accurate student records in Salesforce or designated systems.
• Coordinate food purchasing, inventory, and equipment upkeep for culinary classes and events.
• Develop relationships with community chefs, volunteers, and potential employers to enhance program impact.

Events & Community Engagement

• Coordinate field trips to culinary institutions and local restaurants
• Assist with execution of fundraising and community engagement events annually in both McKinney and Dallas locations.
• Represent YWF and the Culinary Arts Program professionally in all external interactions.

Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum 2 years of professional culinary or catering/event experience.
• Teaching or youth mentorship experience preferred.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities independently while contributing to a team.
• Availability for weekday afternoon classes and occasional event support.
• Must complete required training and pass background checks.