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 corporate events, venue rentals, 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
Culinary Artistas is seeking an engaging, confident Lead Events Chef to serve as the face and soul of Culinary Artistas for corporate cooking classes and teen events in San Francisco. Starting in a supporting role with room to grow, you’ll create memorable, high-energy culinary experiences while teaching approachable cooking techniques to adults—and occasionally youth. Our ideal candidate is a natural host—warm, highly hospitable, proactive, and detail-oriented—who thrives on problem-solving and sharing food knowledge in a way that feels fun, inclusive, and polished. As a Lead Events Chef, you’ll represent the Culinary Artistas brand, ensuring every experience is exceptional and leaves guests feeling connected, inspired, and well-fed.

Working Hours:

Part-Time. Flexible shifts are based on event bookings, primarily weekday afternoon/evenings and weekend days. A minimum of 2 shifts per month is required, with shifts typically running 6-8 hours.

Responsibilities

On-Site Adult Corporate Events:

This role begins in a supporting capacity, with a clear pathway to leading corporate team-building cooking classes for groups of 10–80 participants. As you grow in the role, you’ll take on increasing ownership of the full event experience.

Phase 1: Event Chef Assistant

• Assist with pre-event preparation and kitchen coordination
• Assist with execution of mise en place for guest cooking stations and Culinary Artistas–prepared items
• Set up ingredients, equipment, and tools for the main recipe and any add-on experiences (cocktail making, dessert stations, etc.)
• Assist with prep of all Artistas-made components (appetizers, side dishes, platters, and dessert)
• Support delegation and coordination of kitchen support staff
• Lead beverage table setup for hosted beverage packages
• Assist with food service and kitchen flow during events
• Assist with guest engagement and pacing to ensure a smooth, high-energy event
• Help manage dietary restrictions and special requests with accuracy and care
• Uphold food safety standards and assist in maintaining a clean, organized kitchen

Phase 2: Lead Event Chef

• Lead corporate team-building cooking classes from start to finish
• Own pre-event planning, kitchen setup, and execution
• Lead with execution of mise en place for guest cooking stations and Culinary Artistas–prepared items
• Lead preparation of all Artistas-made components (appetizers, side dishes, platters, and dessert)
• Lead and delegate kitchen support staff with confidence
• Act as the primary on-site point of contact for the client, hosting a “pre-event touchbase” upon arrival
• Lead culinary instruction using our pre-developed recipes, engaging guests with clear demonstrations and approachable techniques
• Greet guests upon arrival and support client touchpoints before the event begins
• Deliver an engaging welcome, including a warm icebreaker, introduction to Culinary Artistas, and clear overview of the event flow
• Create a polished, welcoming, and high-energy atmosphere throughout the event
• Take full ownership of dietary restrictions and special requests (critical responsibility)
• Ensure exceptional food quality, safety, and guest experience at every touchpoint

On-Site Youth Programs (Occasional)

• Support teen summer cooking programs (~20 between June - July on weekday & weekend evenings)
• Teach age-appropriate lessons with safety and engagement in mind
• Adapt teaching style across age groups (kids, teens, adults)
• Maintain positive group dynamics and clear communication
• Optional: weekend culinary birthday parties (ages 4–17)

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Skills + Experience Required

• 5+ years professional culinary training or significant industry experience (Culinary school grads/students, personal chefs, instructors, and retired food service professionals welcome)
  Experience confidently leading and entertaining groups (10–40+)
• Strong teaching, facilitation, and public-speaking skills
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and scheduling tools
• Experience working with diverse age groups (adults and/or youth)
• COVID-19 vaccination

You…

• A high-energy, engaging host who loves being in front of a group
• Comfortable problem-solving on the fly—adapting to guest needs, kitchen dynamics, and last-minute changes while keeping the experience seamless and welcoming.
• Confident, calm, and decisive in fast-paced environments
• A strong leader who communicates clearly and kindly
• Extremely reliable and detail-oriented
• Growth-minded and eager to learn
• Passionate about food, teaching, and creating meaningful experiences
• Comfortable representing a brand with warmth and professionalism

Compensation

this position is: hourly, varies DOE, $25.00 - $30.00

Application instructions

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Deadline

April 30, 2026