Culinary Instructor – Café Operations | Fantastic Benefits and Schedule | Brooklyn
Culinary Instructor – Café Operations
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Compensation: $67K–$72K DOE + benefits
Employment Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM
Reports To: Culinary Operations Manager
About the Opportunity
A mission-driven culinary nonprofit and social enterprise is seeking a Culinary Instructor – Café Operations to help lead day-to-day kitchen operations at one of its café locations. The organization empowers refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking through paid culinary apprenticeships, job placement support, and professional development — with cafés, catering operations, and CPG production serving as the training grounds. We're looking for a culinary leader who is passionate about food, mentorship, and building inclusive pathways in the hospitality industry.
Position Summary
The Culinary Instructor – Café Operations is a key member of the Culinary Team, responsible for leading daily kitchen operations, ensuring culinary excellence, and contributing to student learning and success. Reporting to the Culinary Operations Manager, this role ensures that every dish reflects the organization's gold standards of quality, presentation, and consistency. The position is ideal for someone who thrives in a quick-service environment while also helping to shape seasonal menus, implement kitchen systems, and coach students as they gain real-world experience.
Key Responsibilities
Culinary Excellence and Consistency (50%)
- Execute and uphold the organization's culinary gold standards across all café service periods
- Lead daily line checks, ensuring food quality, presentation, and portion control
- Ensure adherence to recipes, plating guidelines, and allergen protocols
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized kitchen space in compliance with DOH standards
- Troubleshoot and resolve service-related issues in real-time
Daily Kitchen Operations and Student Training (30%)
- Manage kitchen workflow, including prep, service, transitions, and breakdown
- Provide on-the-line coaching and culinary demonstrations to reinforce student learning
- Track student performance and partner with the Education & Student Support team for formal assessments
- Support purchasing, inventory, and food cost management in line with internal systems and standards
Specials, Menus, and Culinary Initiatives (20%)
- Contribute to the planning and implementation of seasonal menu updates
- Participate in cross-site operational planning and innovation meetings
- Share feedback and ideas to improve dish performance, training methods, and guest experience
What We're Looking For
- 1–3 years of progressive Back-of-House experience (prep, line, production, catering)
- Culinary degree or equivalent training preferred
- Strong interest in teaching, mentoring, and workforce development
- Knowledge of kitchen systems and BOH operations (inventory, food cost, sanitation)
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
- Proficiency in Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office
- Food Protection Certificate required
- Full-time availability, including early mornings, weekends, and occasional evenings
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and remain on your feet for extended periods
- Trauma-informed, inclusive, and student-centered mindset
- Proficient in English; additional languages a plus
What We Offer
- Competitive salary in the $67K–$72K range, commensurate with experience
- Consistent Monday–Friday daytime schedule (7:30 AM–4:00 PM) — a rare quality-of-life perk in the culinary world
- Generous paid time off: two weeks in your first year, with an additional week added each year of tenure
- Comprehensive health benefits with 85% employer-paid medical premiums, plus dental and vision options
- 401(k) retirement plan with a 3% employer match
- Access to professional development and ongoing training opportunities
- A collaborative, mission-driven work environment
- Opportunity to lead and grow in a respected and impactful culinary nonprofit
- Supportive team culture centered around values of dignity, empowerment, and inclusion
This job description is intended to convey essential information about the scope and requirements of the position. It is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities and may be updated to reflect organizational needs.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented communities — including refugees, immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities — to apply.