Culinary GM & Lead Instructor | Growth & Events

Taste Buds Kitchen; Montclair (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Employee discounts

Free uniforms

Paid time off

Training & development

Bonus based on performance

Opportunity for advancement

Gratuities

Bonus eligible

Job summary

Taste Buds Kitchen in Montclair is seeking a General Manager & Lead Culinary Instructor to drive class instruction, sales, and daily operations. You will lead by example, teach cooking classes, and manage staff while delivering exceptional guest experiences in our kitchen studio.

The role requires a dynamic leader capable of growing the business through high-quality instruction, outstanding service, and active community engagement.

Qualifications

• Leadership in recruiting, training, and motivating teams.
• Comfortable with a range of cooking and baking techniques.
• Strong communication and public speaking skills.
• Experience with people of all ages; children a plus.
• Experience in events-based hospitality or restaurant settings.
• 1–3 years in a supervisory role.
• Excellent customer service and community engagement.
• Organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Enjoys the close-knit atmosphere of a growing small business.
• Proficiency with social media to promote brand awareness.
• Culinary education or equivalent experience is a plus.
• Business/Marketing degrees are a plus.
• First Aid/CPR or ServSafe certification a plus.

Responsibilities

• Open availability including nights and weekends; events 7 days a week.
• Play a key role in supporting owner in launching, operating, and growing the business.
• Initially, 50–75% of your time will be spent teaching, with that focus shifting as the business and team grows.
• Instruct cooking and baking classes, camps, and parties for ages 2-99.
• Lead by example and model the standards and professionalism expected of a Culinary Instructor.
• Learn all aspects of event operations as part of your training.
• Deliver exceptional hospitality and create memorable guest experiences that encourage repeat visits and positive ratings and reviews.
• Oversee team hiring, training, scheduling, and development, while providing shift coverage as needed.
• Promptly respond to client inquiries, identify needs, present solutions, address objections, and convert leads into bookings.
• Support lead generation and business development as the business grows.
• Partner with the owner to monitor and drive sales performance and meet monthly revenue targets.
• Track and control monthly expenses including food costs, marketing expenses, and payroll.
• Enforce compliance with local and state laws, company policies, and company systems.
• Ensure all classes, staff, and facilities meet Taste Buds Kitchen Brand standards; ensure processes and procedures are followed.
• Continuously evaluate and identify opportunities to streamline brand systems and improve efficiency.
• Maintain pristine cleanliness and ensure all aspects of the facility meet or exceed brand standards.
• Execute marketing campaigns, manage social media, and build brand awareness and engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Cooking techniques

Public speaking

Customer service

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Reliability

Social media engagement

Education

Formal culinary education

Business/Management degree

Marketing degree/experience

Job description

Taste Buds Kitchen in Montclair is seeking a General Manager & Lead Culinary Instructor to drive class instruction, sales, and daily operations. You will lead by example, teach cooking classes, and manage staff while delivering exceptional guest experiences in our kitchen studio.

The role requires a dynamic leader capable of growing the business through high-quality instruction, outstanding service, and active community engagement.