Culinary Arts Instructor
SouthWest Metro Intermediate District #288 serves students in 11 member districts and 8 associate member districts across the southwestern Twin Cities metropolitan area with programs in Special Education, Career and Technical Education, Care & Treatment, Adult Education, and Alternative Education.
About the role
Culinary Arts Instructor, 4 hours a day (.5 FTE) for 185 contract days. This position introduces students to foundational culinary concepts, workplace expectations, food preparation, sanitation, and kitchen safety while helping prepare them for continued culinary programming. Scheduled time includes direct student instruction, lesson preparation, curriculum collaboration, purchasing, inventory, kitchen setup, stocking, travel, documentation, and program coordination.
The Culinary Arts Instructor will work closely with the district's Lead Chef to coordinate curriculum, instructional activities, kitchen operations, purchasing, and program supplies. The position includes daily instructional preparation, food and equipment purchasing, stocking and organizing kitchen spaces, and travel to a partner site to teach. This is a great opportunity for an experienced culinary, food-service, or hospitality professional looking to bring their industry expertise into the classroom — prior teaching experience is not required, and the district supports candidates who are new to education in working toward licensure.
Responsibilities
- Provide hands-on culinary instruction for secondary students
- Coordinate curriculum and instructional activities with the district's Lead Chef
- Manage kitchen operations, including purchasing, inventory, and setup
- Daily instructional preparation and food/equipment purchasing
- Stock and organize kitchen spaces
- Travel to a partner site to teach
- Documentation and program coordination
Requirements
- Education, training, or professional experience in culinary arts, food service, hospitality, Family and Consumer Sciences, or a related field
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with secondary students
- Knowledge of food preparation, sanitation, kitchen safety, and proper food-storage practices
- Ability to independently organize purchasing, preparation, inventory, and instructional responsibilities
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for daily travel between instructional locations
- Successful completion of a district background check is required for employment
Qualifications
- Valid Minnesota teaching license in an appropriate field, or eligibility and willingness to obtain the license or permission required for the assignment
- Professional culinary, restaurant, catering, hospitality, or food-service experience — this role is a strong fit for industry professionals interested in transitioning into the classroom through Career and Technical Education (CTE)
- Experience teaching culinary arts, career and technical education, youth enrichment, or secondary students
- Experience working with students from alternative learning, special education, transition, or diverse educational backgrounds
- Food-safety certification, such as ServSafe, or willingness to obtain certification
- Experience developing curriculum and collaborating within a multi-instructor culinary program
- Knowledge of career pathways, work-based learning, and industry-recognized culinary competencies
Pay & Benefits
The pay range is $56,000-103,000 based on education and experience.
- 403(b)TRA (Pension Plan)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Working Conditions
- Work is performed in classroom, instructional kitchen, storage, and partner-site environments
- Regular standing, walking, bending, reaching, and active supervision of students are required
- Ability to safely lift, move, and carry food, equipment, and supplies weighing up to 30 pounds
- Regular exposure to commercial kitchen equipment, heat, refrigeration, food products, cleaning materials, and common food allergens
- Daily driving between instructional locations is required