Children's Cooking Instructor

About the role

Part-time After School Children's Cooking Instructor position with Sticky Fingers Cooking® in the Chicagoland area. You’ll lead hour-long, hands-on cooking classes for children ages 3–12 at local schools, introducing them to new ingredients, global cuisines, and healthy eating habits.

Pay: $60.00 per class plus food reimbursement. Most instructors teach one after-school class per day (Monday–Friday, 2–5 pm, with most classes between 3:00–4:30 pm). Prep and wrap-up time bookend the hour-long class. School assignments will be as close to your home or workplace as possible.

Responsibilities

• Lead weekly, hour-long cooking enrichment classes for groups of 8–14 children of varying ages and backgrounds.
• Teach basic kitchen skills: washing, cutting, grating, stirring, measuring, and nutrition.
• Explore the history, geography, and language behind each recipe in an engaging, hands-on way.
• Review weekly class curricula and independently shop for fresh ingredients.
• Manage classroom dynamics, ensuring a positive and inclusive learning environment.
• Serve as the face of Sticky Fingers Cooking®, interacting with children, parents, and school staff.

Requirements

• Availability at least 2 days a week to teach (Monday–Friday, 2–5 pm; preference for availability between 3:00–4:30 pm).
• Commitment to teaching weekly for full sessions (6–12 weeks).
• Experience working with groups of children of varying ages and academic levels.
• Ability to manage and engage a diverse group of 8–14 children.
• Access to reliable transportation.
• Strong communication skills and timely responsiveness to the Sticky Fingers Cooking® team.
• Punctuality and reliability.
• ServSafe Food Handler Certification (can be obtained before teaching; no professional cooking experience required).

Benefits

• Paid hands-on training and individualized support.
• All necessary equipment and tools provided via the Sticky Fingers Cooking® kit.
• Flexible scheduling—choose the days that work best for you.

About Sticky Fingers Cooking®

Since 2008, Sticky Fingers Cooking® has cultivated “cool”inary curiosity in thousands of children through online classes, schools, camps, and special events. We offer enrichment cooking classes before, during, and after school, as well as birthday parties, private classes, and camps for children ages 3–12. Our philosophy centers on passionate instructors who create a fun, engaging, and impactful experience for kids.

Upon hire, employees will be required to pass a fingerprint background check.