Variable LCC Cooking Instructor

City of Lakewood; United States; On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Lakewood is seeking a knowledgeable Cooking Instructor to teach community culinary classes for children, teens and adults at the Lakewood Cultural Center. You will lead hands-on experiences that develop practical culinary skills and foster a lifelong appreciation for food in a welcoming learning environment.

Curriculum planning is required, with a focus on safety, inclusivity and high-quality customer service.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated culinary knowledge and the ability to teach a broad range of cooking and baking techniques.
• Proficiency in preparing and teaching savory and sweet recipes, including meats, breads and desserts.
• Ability to adapt recipes and instruction to meet different age groups and class themes.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop and teach engaging, hands-on community cooking classes for children, teens and adults.
• Develop and review recipes and lesson plans for a well-rounded culinary experience.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, sanitation and classroom organization.

Skills

Culinary knowledge

Cooking techniques

Teaching ability

Classroom management

Adaptability

Education

Culinary degree

Job description

The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration.

Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement.

All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.

HIRING RANGE: $20.00 - $28.00/hour

The hiring manager is requested a resume to be submitted with application.

JOB SUMMARY

The Lakewood Cultural Center is seeking a knowledgeable, versatile and engaging Cooking Instructor to teach community culinary classes for children, teens and adults. This position provides educational, hands‑on cooking experiences that encourage creativity, build practical culinary skills and foster a lifelong appreciation for food and cooking. The ideal candidate brings strong culinary expertise, a broad knowledge of cooking and baking techniques and a genuine passion for sharing their knowledge with others. The instructor will plan and lead classes covering a wide variety of dishes, ingredients and culinary methods, adapting instruction to accommodate different ages, experience levels and learning styles. This position takes place in a community learning kitchen rather than a professional restaurant kitchen. The instructor's primary responsibility is to create a welcoming, organized, safe and educational environment where participants can learn by doing. While the setting is educational, the City of Lakewood remains committed to delivering high‑quality programs, excellent customer service and a positive experience for every participant. Curriculum planning is required.

About Community Resources

Community Resources is committed to providing high‑quality park, recreation, family and cultural services and facilities that inspire enjoyment, learning and wellness in the lives of those who live, work and play in Lakewood. We value leadership, integrity, communication and connection, diversity and adaptability. The City of Lakewood is currently recruiting variable employees for this position. A variable employee is an at‑will employee who works in a seasonal or temporary capacity. Their work schedule is based on business needs. This position would be a part‑time non‑benefitted position.

MAJOR TASKS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Job Functions:

• Plan, develop and teach engaging, hands‑on community cooking classes for children, teens and adults, with an emphasis on skill development, participation and culinary exploration.
• Develop and review recipes and lesson plans that provide a well‑rounded culinary learning experience and accommodate a variety of ages, skill levels and program themes.
• Demonstrate and teach a broad range of culinary techniques, ingredients and preparations.
• Provide instruction across a diverse range of culinary topics and menus, demonstrating the flexibility and expertise needed to teach both everyday cooking skills and specialized classes or camps.
• Guide participants through recipes and techniques, explain cooking methods, answer questions and provide appropriate hands‑on support throughout the class.
• Prepare the teaching kitchen by organizing ingredients, equipment, supplies and materials before each class, and restore the space to a clean and orderly condition afterward.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, sanitation, cleanliness and organization throughout all classes.
• Ensure food is prepared, handled, stored and served at appropriate temperatures and in accordance with applicable food safety requirements.
• Create a welcoming, inclusive, supportive and engaging learning environment that encourages participants to build confidence and develop culinary skills.
• Provide excellent customer service and respond professionally to participant questions, needs and concerns.
• Maintain an inventory of supplies and pantry items and communicate restocking and purchasing needs to the Cultural Programs Coordinator.
• Maintain attendance records, report injuries and complete required documentation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Important Functions Support participants throughout their program experience and encourage active participation and learning.

Recommend future class topics, recipes, culinary activities and program opportunities.

Work collaboratively with the Cultural Programs Coordinator and other team members, demonstrating initiative, flexibility and professionalism; perform other duties as assigned.

Organizational Relationships

Supervision Received: Receives general supervision Cultural Programs Coordinator.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Essential Qualifications:

• Demonstrated culinary knowledge and the ability to teach a broad range of cooking and baking techniques.
• Proficiency in preparing and teaching both savory and sweet recipes, including meats and other proteins, baked goods, breads, and desserts.
• Ability to adapt recipes, menus and instruction to meet the needs of different age groups, skill levels and class themes.
• Ability to teach and demonstrate culinary techniques clearly and effectively in a hands‑on learning environment.
• Ability to work with children ages 4-15 and adults ages 16 and older.
• Experience leading or assisting with cooking programs, classes, workshops or related activities.
• Experience leading or assisting groups of varying sizes.
• Ability to motivate and inspire students and foster a positive learning environment.
• Effective classroom management and the ability to maintain a safe, organized and productive class.
• Knowledge of culinary safety, food handling, sanitation and kitchen cleanliness.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, participants, parents and caregivers.
• Strong communication, organization and interpersonal skills.
• Dedication to culinary arts, community education and sharing knowledge with others.
• Ability to use hands to chop, whisk, slice, stir, juice and demonstrate other culinary techniques.
• Ability to distinguish differences in flavors and odors.
• Ability to reach, push, pull, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch and perform other physical activities associated with demonstrating techniques and retrieving or replenishing supplies and equipment.
• Ability to lift or move kitchen equipment weighing up to 35 pounds.
• Successful completion of a required background check.

Experience:

• One year of experience teaching children is necessary.
• 1‑2 years kitchen operations experience.
• Must be at least 21 years old.

Education:

• Culinary degree or equivalent chef experience considered in lieu of degree.
• Professional culinary training or equivalent hands‑on experience must demonstrate the breadth of knowledge necessary to teach a diverse range of cooking and baking topics.

Pay Range: $15.16‑$57.58

Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable/seasonal positions.

City Overview

Lakewood is full of possibilities for businesses, residents and visitors with innovative approaches, community collaboration, a strong financial foundation and healthy local economy. The city serves as a gateway to outdoor adventures while also providing a 10‑minute commute to the heart of the metropolitan area. Much of Lakewood’s charm derives from neighborhoods as varied as horse properties, live/work units for artists, urban‑style lofts and traditional homes. Lakewood has dedicated one‑quarter of the land in the city to parks and open space, providing for a healthy, active lifestyle. The city also provides a comprehensive array of services, and we are home to global and national companies while also having a robust array of small businesses. We’re an All‑America City connected to the metro area with the latest technology and multiple transportation options.

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page: Access Lakewood

Benefits for Regular Full‑Time and Part‑Time Positions

Medical:

• Cigna HDHP with Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Kaiser Permanente DHMO with Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)

Dental:

• Delta Dental PPO plus Premier Plan

Vision:

• Vision Service Plan (VSP)

Life Insurance:

• Employees are covered for 1.5 times their annual base salary in life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment, up to a maximum of $500,000 (the minimum benefit is $50,000). The city pays the cost of this coverage.

Pension:

• Our pension fund is a social security replacement, money purchase plan. Mandatory employee contribution is 11% of gross base salary; city contribution is 13% of gross base salary.

Sick Leave:

• Full‑time employees earn 8 hours per month.
• Part‑time employees earn 6 hours per month.

Vacation:

• Full‑time employees with less than five years of service earn 8 hours per month.
• Part‑time employees with less than five years of service earn 6 hours per month.

City Holidays:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Presidents’ Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day

Additional Benefits the City Offers:

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Deferred Compensation
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Injury Leave
• Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Military Leave
• Jury Duty
• Tuition Assistance
• Credit Union
• Recreation Facilities (Employees are eligible for free general admission into the city’s recreation centers, swimming pools and Bear Creek Lake Park).
• Wellness Programs
• Value‑Added Benefits