Cooking Class Instructor

Join Tablespoon Cooking Co.'s Culinary Instructor Team!

Tablespoon Cooking Co. is looking for passionate culinary professionals to join our culinary instructor team!

What is Tablespoon Cooking Co.?

Tablespoon Cooking Co. is located at Findlay Market in the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tablespoon specializes in hands-on cooking classes taught by professional chefs. We also offer private events and catering. Tablespoon teaches people how to cook by sharing tips and tricks from professional kitchens. We also provide entertaining events for corporate and social occasions. Our classes are fun and interactive and we pour beer and wine and play music, so it's a party, not just a cooking class.

What do Chef Instructors do at Tablespoon?

Tablespoon's Chef Instructors lead our guests through hands-on cooking classes and private events. This is a customer-facing role where you will teach our guests throughout the cooking class, provide help to ensure that their food comes out great, and engage to make sure each guest is having a wonderful time. You'll need to be comfortable wearing a microphone, speaking in front of an audience and commanding a room while also creating a welcoming and fun environment.

On an average day, the Chef Instructor will arrive before class to help our team set up and get organized. Once our guests have arrived, the Chef Instructor will welcome the group and provide a brief introduction to the Tablespoon experience and the culinary team. The Chef Instructor, with the help of Class Assistants, will lead our guests through a series of engaging demonstrations and provide help during the hands-on cooking. When all of the food is cooked, the guests will sit down to eat. Throughout class, we love to engage with our guests and create a personal connection. At the end of class, the team will work together to clean, break down the kitchen, and do the dishes.

We offer several core classes with standardized menus and recipes. Chef Instructors would be given this information and expected to lead the class accordingly. There are also opportunities to develop new classes, menus and recipes.

Prior culinary experience and a love of food and cooking are required. Our menus change every day so there is always an opportunity to learn something new. We pride ourselves on our dedication to the guest experience and making sure our guests have fun!

Responsibilities

• Execute all aspects of the class/event to Tablespoon's standards
• Set up for classes and events (putting out equipment, ingredients, setting up stations)
• Assist guests during arrival to class
• Lead engaging and energetic hands-on demonstrations for the three hour class
• Wear a microphone, speak in front of an audience, provide instructions and command the room
• Share passion and knowledge of food with others
• Teach guests about classic cooking techniques and ingredients and equipment selection
• Create a fun and inviting atmosphere where all guests feel welcome, taken care of and are having fun
• Assist guests with anything they need during class such as beverages, ingredients, cooking assistance, etc.
• Interact with guests and create a personal connection with each guest
• Clean up, break down kitchen and do dishes after the class or event

Job Requirements

• Culinary school degree and/or restaurant and cooking experience
• Possess and exhibit the drive to provide exceptional customer service
• Exhibit professionalism when talking with guests and communicating information
• Ability to engage an audience to ensure all guests feel comfortable cooking
• Ability to provide thorough instructions and communicate effectively with guests during class
• Comfortable using technology such as email, Google Drive, Slack and other apps
• Ability to think quick, change with the environment and work with a team
• Up-to-date with food and beverage trends and best practices
• Ability to spot and resolve problems efficiently
• Arrive on-time and ready for all shifts
• Have a working knowledge of basic food safety and sanitation procedures
• Guest-oriented and service-minded
• Excellent verbal and written communication

Successful Candidates will have the following Personal Characteristics:

• Love of food and cooking
• Passionate about great food and great service
• Enthusiasm for teaching others
• Comfortable speaking and engaging in group environments
• Professional, punctual and articulate
• Well organized and able to multitask
• Strong attention to detail
• High level of integrity and honesty
• Able to effectively manage their emotions in the workplace
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• High energy and enthusiasm

Physical Requirements

• Bending, stooping, walking and standing for long periods of time
• Must be able to safely lift and move up to 50 pounds
• Able to go up or down stairs multiple times per day (storage is in the basement)

Availability Requirements

• 7-14 hours per week (1-2 shifts) (additional hours available with potential to expand into full time position)
• Evenings from around 3:30pm-9:30pm
• Weekends required