Lead Chef Instructor
Nini’s Cooking Academy is Calgary’s leading culinary school for children. We provide an awesome culinary Camp experience to kids. Our mission is to provide a safe and empowering environment where youths can learn hands-on culinary skills, and develop confidence and independence. We do this by step by step teaching cooking and baking skills, supporting and helping kids cultivate a love of cooking healthy foods and creating recipes on their own. We believe skills learned at Nini’s Cooking Academy will have a positive impact on their lifelong eating habits and their overall health.
This is a hands-on leadership role for chefs who enjoy teaching children, bringing high energy into the kitchen, and taking initiative — not a passive cooking position.
To ensure our campers have a fun and memorable camp and are equipped with lifelong skills, we are seeking experienced Lead Chef Instructors who will also be the managers of our campsites to teach fun and interactive in-person cooking classes in Calgary, Alberta.
We are looking for a fun and enthusiastic culinary professional who is passionate about food and passionate about teaching our campers. If this is who you are, we invite you to join our team of instructors. You will bring your personality, your passion, and unique skills to Nini’s Cooking team to create a fun, engaging, educational and
delicious experience for our campers.
The classes will run throughout the Summer from June 29 - August 28, 2026. This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week from Monday - Friday with occasional overtime as deemed necessary. You will report to the Camp Director and manage a team of four onsite staff while delivering our comprehensive curriculum. For a full list of your responsibilities see below:
Duties and Responsibilities:
● As the primary instructor, you will teach and demonstrate lessons to the campers in a fun and engaging manner.
● Interact professionally, friendly and respectfully with parents, campers and hosts.
● Ensure campers have a fun, safe, and memorable experience.
● Greet campers, parents, and guardians with a genuine smile
● Manage the day-to-day operations of the camp, team and campers.
● Ensure that all aspect of the site runs smoothly.
● As the lead instructor, you are the brand ambassador, the problem solver and the primary person who builds the culture of Nini’s Cooking School.
● Bring positive energy and collaborative spirit to work every day.
● Ensure food sanitation and safety standards are being followed at all times, including awareness and accommodation of allergies.
● Practice FIFO in the kitchen, pantry, fridge and freezer and clearly label all items
● Ensure proper timing and flow of programs.
● Define and reinforce camp rules and expectations
● Follow all company safety policies and procedures
● Report maintenance needs, accidents, injuries, and unsafe work conditions to the camp
Director and document the same.
● Lead and manage team and campers during Friday competition
● Communicate with the team using clear and professional language.
● Designated team member to communicate with the camp Director
● Develop and maintain positive working relationships with campers, team and parents;Support team to reach common goals; listen and respond appropriately to the concerns of team and campers.
● Ensure the safety of all campers on site and emphasize zero abuse tolerance on site
● Ensure adherence to quality expectations and standards.
● Stand, sit, or walk for an extended period of time
● Ensure good safety practices, and maintain proper emergency and security procedures
● Adhere to Nini’s Cooking mission, pride in doing good work, positive attitude, and believe in the potential of every child
● Complete other duties as assigned.
Required Experience and Skills:
● Preferrably Permanent Resident
Professional experience in the industry: 5+ years preferred
● Experience working with children in a professional setting: 3 years preferred
● Experience teaching in a professional setting: 2+ years preferred
● Creative thinking, leadership and management skills: 3 years preferred
● A culinary certificate or its equivalent is an asset
● A teaching degree or its equivalent is an asset
● Strong engagement and communication skills
● Strong communication, collaborative, and interpersonal skills
● Great sense of humour with an outgoing personality
● Patient and passionate about working with and teaching children
● Strong comfort level interacting with children and others
● Dependable, organized, detailed oriented and punctual
● Ability to multi-task, organize and coordinate a learning environment
● Food Handler Certification or willingness to obtain prior to camp
● First Aid Certification or willingness to obtain prior to camp
● Vulnerable sector check screening is to be provided 2 weeks prior to camp
Required Qualifications:
● Red Cross or St. John Ambulance Standard First Aid & CPR certification
● Food Handlers and Culinary Certificate
● 1 full day of on-location training during our first week of camp at select locations (June 2026)
● 4 hours of on-location training during Friday competition during our first week of camp at select locations (June/July, 2026)
Benefits of working for Nini’s Cooking
● Competitive compensation
● Work with Certified Chefs
● Rewarding and meaningful work
● Work regular hours: Mon-Thur 8:00-4:30 pm, and Friday 8:00 am-6:00 pm
● Weekends and Holidays Off – a bonus in the Summer months!
● Fun, welcoming and family-oriented culture
● Team of passionate and enthusiastic individuals
● Rapidly growing company with opportunities for growth & learning
● Enjoy a variety of meals that we make!
● Opportunity to impact lives
● Free Parking and Free food
Days of work: Monday- Friday
June 15, 2025 - Summer Break Camp.
How to Apply:
If it sounds like we’d make a great team together, and you share our drive to help kids have fun while developing independent living skills, please send us your cover letter and resume with qualifications and skills to the attention of Chef Nini.
Please quote “Lead Chef Position – Summer Camp” in the subject line. We thank all applicants, but only those candidates who meet the position requirements will be contacted directly.
No phone calls, please. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Nini’s Cooking Academy is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. For additional information on our organization please visit us at: https://www.niniscookingacademy.ca/
About Nini’s Cooking Academy:
Website: https://www.niniscookingacademy.ca/
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract, Seasonal
Contract length: 2 months
Pay: $22.00-$25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- This role requires leading groups of children while cooking, teaching, supervising safety, and maintaining a high-energy environment. Are you comfortable managing both a kitchen and a group of kids at the same time?
☐ Yes ☐ No
- Describe your experience teaching or leading children in a kitchen or group setting. What strategies do you use to keep kids engaged and focused while cooking?
- This is not a quiet back-of-house chef role — you will be actively teaching, encouraging, and energizing children throughout the day. Are you comfortable being highly interactive and outgoing?
☐ Yes ☐ No
- Give an example of a time you had to take initiative in a kitchen or teaching environment without being told what to do. What actions did you take?
- How would you handle a situation where multiple kids are distracted, moving around the kitchen, and safety becomes a concern during a cooking activity?
- Are you comfortable managing food prep, timing multiple recipes, supervising counsellors, and maintaining a clean and organized kitchen simultaneously?
☐ Yes ☐ No
- What does strong kitchen leadership look like to you when working with children instead of adults?
- This role requires high stamina — standing, moving, teaching, and leading activities all day. Are you physically and mentally prepared for a fast-paced camp environment?
☐ Yes ☐ No
Experience:
- Cooking: 4 years (required)
Language:
Work Location: In person
