General Manager

Taste Buds Kitchen; Montclair (NJ); On-site; USD 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Paid Time Off

Bonus based on performance

Gratuities

Employee discounts

Training & development

Opportunity for advancement

Job summary

Taste Buds Kitchen in Montclair, NJ is seeking a General Manager & Lead Culinary Instructor to teach cooking and baking classes, drive sales, and oversee day-to-day operations and staff in our Kitchen Studio. You will lead classes for ages 2-99, initially spending 50–75% of time teaching, with focus shifting as the team grows.

You will deliver exceptional hospitality, build a vibrant client community, and help grow the business.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in recruiting, training, and motivating teams.
• Strong cooking and baking techniques with hospitality focus.
• Excellent communication and public speaking abilities.

Responsibilities

• Open availability including nights and weekends; manage events 7 days a week.
• Lead, hire, train, and schedule staff; oversee operations and guest experience.
• Teach cooking classes, camps, and parties; drive sales and growth.
• Deliver exceptional hospitality and foster client relationships.
• Manage marketing campaigns and brand awareness; monitor expenses.

Skills

Leadership

Cooking

Communication

Public speaking

People skills

Hospitality

Team management

Customer service

Reliability

Organization

Problem solving

Social media

Education

Culinary education

Business degree

Marketing degree

First Aid/CPR

ServSafe Certification

Job description

Company Overview

Taste Buds Kitchen has taken the country by storm with a refreshingly simple concept. We provide culinary entertainment to kids, families, and adults in a fun, beautiful, and state-of-the-art Kitchen Studio. Kids ages 2 to teen love our hands‑on cooking classes, camps, birthday parties, and field trips. Adults love our BYOB date night cooking classes, birthday parties, bachelorettes, showers, and corporate events. Our innovative programs are as entertaining as they are educational! We always strive to engage and delight our guests.

• Competitive pay
• Paid Time Off
• Gratuities

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Employee discounts
• Free uniforms
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Bonus based on performance
• Opportunity for advancement

Company Overview

Taste Buds Kitchen has taken the country by storm with a refreshingly simple concept. We provide culinary entertainment to kids, families, and adults in a fun, beautiful, and state-of-the‑art Kitchen Studio. Kids ages 2 to teen love our hands‑on cooking classes, camps, birthday parties, and field trips. Adults love our BYOB date night cooking classes, birthday parties, bachelorettes, showers, and corporate events. Our innovative programs are as entertaining as they are educational! We always strive to engage and delight our guests.

Benefits/Perks

• Competitive pay
• Paid Time Off
• Bonus eligible
• Gratuities

Job Description

We are looking for a General Manager & Lead Culinary Instructor to play a critical role in the success of Taste Buds Kitchen - Montclair! You will have the skills and experience to teach our cooking and baking classes, drive sales, manage the day‑to‑day operations and staff in our Kitchen, create an exceptional client experience and be a natural leader. This is the perfect opportunity to interact with clients on a daily basis and to create a supportive and meaningful community.

General Manager Responsibilities

• Open availability is required, including nights and weekends. Taste Buds Kitchen hosts 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. Engage and teach guests about various cooking/baking skills as related to the class menu.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership skills in recruiting, training, and motivating high‑performing, collaborative teams.
• Comfortable with a range of cooking and baking techniques.
• Strong communication and public speaking skills.
• Experience working with people of all ages. Experience working with children a plus.
• Experience working in an events‑based business or hospitality/hotel/restaurant environment.
• 1-3 years of experience in a supervisory or management position.
• Strong customer service skills. Enjoys engaging with customers and the local community.
• Demonstrates consistency, reliability, thrives in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent organizational and problem‑solving skills.
• Must enjoy the close‑knit atmosphere of a growing, small business.
• Proficient in using social media platforms to engage audiences and promote brand awareness.
• Formal culinary education or equivalent experience is a plus.
• Business or Management degree is a plus.
• Marketing Degree or experience is a plus.
• Current First Aid or CPR certification is a plus.
• ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification a plus.