Company description
Culinary Artistas was founded on the idea that cooking is a language that connects us to our cultures, bodies, minds, souls, and most of all, to each other. Our vision is to create an inspiring and inclusive space for people to celebrate, cook and explore. We are located in San Francisco’s historic Ghirardelli Square, a place that exemplifies our beautiful city’s celebrated food culture.
We host private parties, team building, pop-ups, events, cooking classes, competitions, and more in our studio space. We also offer kids cooking classes and camps that enable kids to explore the world of real foods, expand their palates, and forge a lifelong healthy relationship with cooking and eating.
We are a fantastic team of educators, chefs, events managers and parents that work together to create an exceptional experience grounded in inclusivity, creativity and celebration. Please come by and say hi - we’d love to meet you!
Job description
Culinary Artistas is seeking an experienced and passionate Lead Chef to direct our youth culinary camps this summer. Founded on the belief that cooking connects us to our cultures and each other, we create engaging experiences that inspire young chefs. As Lead Chef, you'll be responsible for menu planning, kitchen operations, and leading hands-on cooking instruction while fostering a love of culinary arts in children ages 4-10.
Job Title: Youth Culinary Camp - Lead Chef
Location: San Francisco
Employment Type: Seasonal, 35hrs per week (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-3:30pm, with optional weekend hours)
Duration: You must be available for the entire summer, June 9th - August 22, 2025. We will assign you an average of 7 weeks with planned breaks sprinkled throughout the summer. If you already have any dedicated summer plans, please be sure to let us know in your application.
Responsibilities
Kitchen Leadership & Instruction
Execute daily brunch, lunch and snack preparation
Lead mise en place operations for all daily meals
Introduce and demonstrate cooking techniques to campers
Lead a team of young chefs in hands-on cooking activities
Design age-appropriate culinary lessons and activities
Oversee kitchen safety and cleanliness standards
Manage food inventory and preparation schedules
Lead closing gratitudes and culinary discussions
Staff Management & Delegation
Directly supervise and mentor Assistant Chef and Counselors in Training (CITs) ages 12-16
Delegate daily setup tasks to Assistant Chef and CITs
Monitor staff performance and provide feedback
Maintain staff schedules including break rotations
Team Management
Direct and coordinate with Assistant Chef
Train and supervise kitchen support staff
Guide campers in proper kitchen techniques and safety
Oversee student kitchen jobs and cleaning procedures
Collaborate with education staff on integrated programming
Mentor teenage counselors-in-training and interns
Safety & Operations
Maintain kitchen safety protocols and standards
Ensure proper food handling and storage procedures
Monitor and maintain kitchen equipment
Implement and oversee cleaning schedules
Manage kitchen inventory and supply orders
Coordinate with camp leadership on dietary restrictions and food allergies
Schedule Management
Morning mise en place and kitchen prep (before 8:50am)
Leading brunch preparation (10:00-10:45am)
Directing lunch preparation (11:30-12:45pm)
Overseeing afternoon snack and dessert service
Managing kitchen transitions and cleanup procedures
Skills + Experience Required
1+ years professional culinary experience
Previous experience teaching or working with children
Strong knowledge of kitchen safety and food handling procedures
Experience managing kitchen operations and staff
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Ability to adapt recipes for young chefs
Knowledge of dietary restrictions and allergy management
Previous experience supervising staff or volunteers
Demonstrated ability to mentor young leaders (CITs)
Must complete Live Scan background check (reimbursed)
Current First Aid/CPR certification (or willing to obtain)
Current Food Handler's certification
COVID-19 vaccination required
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in culinary education or children's programming
Background in multiple cuisines and cooking techniques
Experience with curriculum development
Previous summer camp or educational program experience
You Are…
An experienced chef with a passion for education
Patient and engaging when teaching children
Comfortable working in a high-energy environment with children
Highly organized and detail-oriented
An effective communicator and team leader
Calm under pressure in a fast-paced environment
Creative in adapting recipes for young chefs
Committed to creating an inclusive learning environment
Enthusiastic about inspiring the next generation of chefs
Able to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds
Pay
Starting at $25-$28 per hour, depending on role and experience.
Compensation
this position is: hourly, varies DOE, $22.00 - $28.00
Application instructions
If you are not registered, you'll be prompted to do so. Don't worry, it's free!
Deadline
June 06, 2025