Culinary Instructor & Kitchen Educator

Job Title: Culinary Instructor & Kitchen Educator 

Location: Santa Barbara Middle School 

Schedule: Part-time Flexible Hours (10–20 hours per week) 

Compensation: $25-$35/ Hour 

Position Summary: 

Santa Barbara Middle School (SBMS) is excited to offer a unique opportunity for a passionate and creative culinary educator to join our community. In our newly built commercial kitchen, you’ll not only cook — you’ll teach, lead, and inspire students in grades 6–9 through engaging, hands-on culinary classes.

About the Role

As our Culinary Instructor, you’ll:

• Teach culinary electives to middle school students with a focus on fun, creativity, and life-long kitchen skills.
• Develop and lead our Culinary Passion Track, a dedicated program that empowers students to explore cooking as a form of self-expression, community, and sustainability.
• Integrate our regenerative garden into lessons, using it as both a teaching tool and a source of fresh ingredients for your classes.
• Help shape the future of culinary education at SBMS — from lesson design to food philosophy.

What Makes This Unique

• Experiential learning at its best: Students learn by doing — chopping, sautéing, baking, and harvesting.
• Sustainability-focused: Our garden and kitchen create a full-circle food system that emphasizes environmental stewardship.
• Flexibility and growth potential: This role is designed with room to grow into a full-time position with benefits. Additional responsibilities are available depending on your interests and skillset.
• Creative freedom: You’ll have the chance to craft your own curriculum and influence the long-term vision of culinary education at SBMS.

Learn More

• Visit our website to explore the school.
• Watch this video to see where we’re headed with culinary education.
• Learn more about our new kitchen.

Responsibilities 

• Teach electives: Monday–Thursday from 2:00–4:00 PM; Friday from 2:00–4:00 PM.
• Collaborative curriculum design: Work alongside our current chef to build out the Culinary Passion Track curriculum.

Optional addition – School lunch program (1–2 days/week):

• Manage the kitchen from 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
• Prepare and serve up to 150 lunches.
• Coordinate with and manage volunteers.
• Maintain a clean, functional, and welcoming kitchen space.

Optional addition – Outdoor expeditions:

• Join up to 3 student expeditions (totaling ~22 days annually).
• Create your own backcountry menu and cook in a dynamic outdoor environment.
• Experience the heart of SBMS through our signature adventure program.
• Additional compensation and training provided.

Qualifications:

• 1-3 years culinary experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.
• A passion for education, community, and the mission of SBMS is a strong plus.
• Being an alumni of SBMS would be helpful, but not required.
• Previous experience in a school or nonprofit setting is helpful, but not required

Key Information:

• Status: Part Time (Potential for full time in future)
• Compensation/Benefits: $25-$35/hour
• EOE: SBMS values diversity and seeks talented faculty and staff from different backgrounds.  All employment decisions are made without regard to unlawful considerations of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, creed, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.
• Start date: Flexible, but as early as August 18, 2025
• To apply: Please email to jobs@sbms.org: cover letter and resume.  References will be requested.
• Application deadline: July 31, 2025