General Manager & Lead Culinary Instructor

Taste Buds Kitchen - Montclair; Montclair (NJ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Paid Time Off

Bonus eligible

Gratuities

Employee discounts

Training & development

Free uniforms

Advancement opportunities

Job summary

Taste Buds Kitchen - Montclair is seeking a General Manager & Lead Culinary Instructor to teach cooking classes, oversee daily kitchen operations, and lead a team in a fast-paced, guest-focused environment.

You will drive sales, manage events, and deliver exceptional customer experiences while maintaining brand standards. This role requires leadership, adaptability, and a passion for culinary education and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership in recruiting, training, and motivating high-performing teams.
• Comfortable with a range of cooking and baking techniques.
• Strong communication and public speaking skills.
• Experience working with people of all ages; events-based hospitality experience is a plus.
• Experience in events/hospitality or restaurant environments.
• 1-3 years in supervisory or management roles.
• Excellent customer service and community engagement.
• Organizational and problem-solving skills; thrives in a fast-paced setting.
• Enjoys a close-knit, growing small business environment.
• Proficiency with using social media to promote brand awareness.
• Formal culinary education or related experience is a plus.
• Business/Marketing degrees or experience are advantageous.
• First Aid/CPR and ServSafe certifications are helpful.

Responsibilities

• Teach cooking and baking classes and lead camps and parties.
• Drive sales and manage day-to-day kitchen operations and staff.
• Deliver exceptional client experiences and hospitality.
• Hire, train, and schedule staff; provide coverage as needed.
• Oversee event operations and guest services for multiple events.
• Support lead generation and business development as the business grows.
• Monitor sales performance and monthly revenue targets; manage expenses.

Skills

Leadership

Cooking skills

Public speaking

Customer service

Social media

Organization

Problem solving

Team motivation

Communication

Training

Events experience

Education

Culinary education or equivalent

Business/Management degree (plus)

Marketing degree or experience (plus)

Job description

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.