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

Overview
Seeking a passionate, experienced Lead Chef to run our kitchen for Summer Culinary Camps. This role requires strong leadership in the kitchen and a solid background teaching kids ages 4–10. You’ll be responsible for menu planning, managing kitchen operations, supervising a team of six, and leading hands-on cooking instruction. We’re looking for someone who can create a fun, nurturing environment that inspires creativity, confidence, and a love of cooking. At Culinary Artistas, we believe food connects us to our cultures and to each other—and we’re excited to find a chef who brings that to life.

Working Hours:
35hrs per week (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-3:30pm, with optional weekend hours)

Duration:
Availability most or all of the weekdays between June 30 - August 22, 2025 (8 weeks in total).

Responsibilities 

Kitchen Leadership & Instruction
Plan and 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

Leadership & 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
Minimum 3 years of professional culinary experience or proven self-taught culinary expertise
Proven experience working with or teaching children ages 4–10 (non-negotiable)
Strong knowledge of kitchen safety and food handling procedures
Experience managing kitchen operations and leading staff
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Ability to adapt recipes for young chefs
Knowledge of dietary restrictions and allergy management
Previous proven experience supervising and leading 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
Experience teaching children in a school, after-school, or culinary school setting
Background in multiple cuisines and cooking techniques
Interest in or experience with holistic nutrition
Experience with curriculum development
Previous summer camp or educational program experience
‍

You Are…
An experienced chef with a passion for education
Patient, engaging, encouraging, and inclusive 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 $28-35 per hour, depending on experience.

‍How to Apply
Please complete this application and include your resume. Include any relevant experience and questions or concerns you may have. We will review all applications and schedule an introductory phone call with suitable candidates within one week.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, varies DOE, $28.00 - $35.00

Application instructions

Deadline

July 25, 2025