Lead Culinary Instructor & Program Coordinator
Boys & Girls Club of Stamford | Stamford, CT Full-Time | $58,000–$62,000 + full benefits
Build a culinary career pathway from the ground up.
The Boys & Girls Club of Stamford is launching Culinary Futures, a new career-connected culinary program. We're looking for a chef-educator to lead it — someone who can run a teaching kitchen, inspire teens, and build the partnerships that turn a cooking program into a career pathway.
This is a rare role: you'll design and deliver hands-on culinary instruction, guide youth toward industry credentials (ServSafe), build relationships with Stamford's restaurant community, and help teens launch a real youth-run food enterprise. You'll start with a clear budgetand a blank canvas.
What you'll do
- Lead hands-on culinary instruction for youth, primarily ages 10–18, from foundational skills through advanced technique
- Prepare teens for ServSafe Food Handler and Manager certification
- Recruit and host guest chefs; coordinate field experiences at partner restaurants
- Mentor a cohort of teen leaders and guide the launch of a youth-run food enterprise
- Own kitchen safety, food safety, and equipment standards
- Track program participation and outcomes with support from our data systems
Who you are
- A culinary professional (restaurant, catering, institutional, or culinary education background) with at least 3+ years of progressive kitchen experience
- Experienced or genuinely excited about teaching and mentoring young people — prior youth work is a strong plus, not a requirement
- ServSafe Manager certified, or able to obtain certification within 60 days
- Organized enough to run a program, not just a class: scheduling, supply ordering, partner communication
- Energized by building something new
What we offer
- $58,000 starting salary with a planned increase to $62,000 in year two based on performance
- Health benefits, paid time off, and retirement plan per BGCS policy
- A funded program budget — equipment, ingredients, field trips, and guest chefs
- The chance to own a program Stamford's youth will climb for years
Employment is contingent on background screening consistent with Boys & Girls Clubs of America child safety standards. The Boys & Girls Club of Stamford is an equal opportunity employer.
To apply: Send a resume and a brief note on why teaching teens to cook matters to you. Formal cover letter optional — we care more about your kitchen and your heart than your formatting.
Pay: $58,000.00 - $62,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Why does teaching teens to cook matter to you?
Work Location: In person
