Chef Instructor

Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States, formed from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. It operates under multiple brand names including Advocate Health Care in Illinois, Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Alabama, and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin. This extensive network serves nearly 6 million patients, providing a comprehensive range of healthcare services supported by groundbreaking clinical innovation, exceptional health outcomes, and a focus on value-based care. Advocate Health is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics, rehabilitation, organ transplants, burn treatments, and specialized musculoskeletal programs. With a workforce of 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, the system also boasts one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs, training over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Advocate Health makes a significant community impact by providing more than $6 billion annually in community benefits, reflecting its commitment to equitable care for all patients.

The part-time Culinary Instructor role at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital's Integrative Kitchen offers a dynamic opportunity for individuals passionate about culinary arts and education to contribute to a health-focused culinary program. This position involves working 20 hours per week, typically spread over three class days during the week, and offers a competitive pay range of $26.55 to $39.85 per hour. As a Culinary Instructor, you will design and develop engaging culinary courses and curricula aligned with educational standards and participant needs. Your responsibilities will include delivering clear and concise lectures, demonstrating cooking techniques, guiding participants through hands-on exercises, and facilitating meaningful discussions to enhance learning and engagement.

In addition to instructional duties, the instructor plays a crucial role in maintaining a safe, clean, and well-organized kitchen environment, adhering to food safety regulations, and completing sanitation checklists with appropriate action plans. Monitoring the atmosphere of the kitchen, including music, scent, lighting, and temperature, ensures an inviting and comfortable learning environment tailored to participant preferences. You will anticipate the needs of class participants by setting up individual stations and maintaining engagement throughout the course.

Operational duties include monitoring general department functions, scheduling work, issuing assignments, and responding promptly to service requests. The instructor will be responsible for preparing general and specialized diet items using standardized recipes, making ingredient substitutions when necessary to accommodate dietary requirements, and managing food inventory by estimating requirements, controlling portions, reducing waste, and reviewing usage. Preparing for catered and specialized events such as luncheons, buffets, and dinners also forms part of the role.

The ideal candidate will hold a Serve Safe Certification at hire and possess an associate’s degree in culinary arts or a related field, or equivalent experience. At least one year of culinary teaching or related teaching experience is required. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in a wide array of cooking methods and food preparations including meat roasting, sauces, gravies, vegetables, meats, cereals, hors d'oeuvres, eggs, soups, casseroles, frying, broiling, steaming, baking, and grilling. Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills are essential.

This role demands physical stamina and the ability to stand, walk, reach above shoulder level, squat, bend, twist, kneel, and climb throughout the workday. Lifting up to 10 pounds continuously, frequently up to 20 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds is required. The working environment may include exposure to food odors, dust from flour and spices, mechanical, electrical, and chemical hazards, sharp knives, heat from ovens, and other typical kitchen hazards that necessitate the use of protective clothing.

Preferred qualifications include experience in team-based or clinical environments, experience teaching both in-person and virtual classes, and three or more years of teaching experience as well as experience handling large volume food preparation and distribution operations. Bilingual candidates are preferred. Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of total rewards including competitive compensation, generous retirement plans, extensive benefits, programs for career development, paid time off, health insurance, dental insurance, vision care, life insurance, disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave, and educational assistance programs. This role provides an opportunity to join a highly respected health system recognized for its commitment to innovation, education, and community well-being.