Culinary Program Educator

Schedule: Traditional full-time classroom hours, preparation, administrative duties, and occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekends in support of catering events. General Summary: This position supports the San Antonio Food Bank’s mission to fight hunger by delivering high-impact, professional culinary instruction. The primary focus of this role is hands-on teaching—equipping students with technical skills, food safety knowledge, workplace readiness, and confidence required to secure stable employment and achieve long-term self-sufficiency.

When not actively teaching in the classroom or kitchen lab, the Educator seamlessly transitions to support the Food Bank's broader social enterprise and culinary operations, including high-volume food production, catering, and community meal initiatives. Impact: Instruction & Curriculum Design Plan, schedule, and lead classroom, lab, and kitchen-based lessons using clear learning objectives, live demonstrations, and supervised practice. Develop, maintain, and continuously improve instructional curriculum, lesson plans, training recipes, quizzes, and practical execution exams.

Demonstrate and reinforce proper culinary techniques, correct commercial equipment usage, nutrition principles, meal planning, and plate presentation. Student Supervision & Mentorship Provide direct supervision, real-time coaching, and actionable feedback; maintain precise student attendance, progress reports, and assessment records. Exercise appropriate authority regarding student admissions, formal performance evaluations, corrective actions, and dismissals in line with organizational policies. Teach and mentor students from varied backgrounds, learning needs, and educational levels respectfully and inclusively. Model stewardship, professionalism, teamwork, and service at all times.

Kitchen Operations, Safety, & Compliance Maintain a clean, organized, respectful, and safe kitchen lab space that models a professional workplace culture. Ensure complete compliance with local health department codes, food safety regulations, and SAFB sanitation standards. Enforce rigorous food safety practices, personal safety protocols, and cross-contamination guidelines while teaching. Operations Support Assist all SAFB culinary programs when classes are not in session, directly supporting high-volume food production, catering operations, special donor events, and community meal services.

Coordinate guest chef appearances, employer partner visits, cooking demonstrations, and experiential learning opportunities to build student industry networks. Partner with the Nutrition team and other internal departments to integrate healthy cooking habits and job readiness into the student journey. Required Job Qualifications: Education & Experience Equivalent combination of formal education, industry training, and progressive professional culinary skills. At least 2 years of experience as a certified culinary educator, instructor, or training chef. At least 4…

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