Culinary Educator

About Moonwater Farm

Moonwater Farm is a community urban farm in Compton, California, that improves food access through education, food cultivation, economic opportunity, and caring for land and natural resources. Through hands-on education, regenerative farming practices, and youth leadership development, we create pathways for young people to explore hands on skills while strengthening their connection to land, culture, and community.

We believe food is more than calories, it nourishes vitality, creativity, entrepreneurship, and social change.

About the Seed to Shelf Fellowship

Seed to Shelf is a 24-week fellowship at Moonwater Farm that uses food, fiber, and medicine as pathways to leadership, entrepreneurship, and community well-being. Youth and young adults ages 14–26 gain hands-on experience in culinary arts, herbalism, regenerative land stewardship, product development, and cooperative economics while working together to bring a farm-based product or service to market. With mentorship and project-based learning, fellows develop applied skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of how food systems can strengthen communities.

About You

You are a skilled culinary educator and mentor who enjoys helping young people build confidence, develop new skills, and transform their ideas into action.

You love sharing knowledge and believe food is an inspiration for community building, storytelling, and personal transformation.

You are collaborative, organized, and adaptable. You enjoy working with diverse learners and understand that teaching is as much about listening as it is about instruction. Whether demonstrating knife skills, discussing food justice, or helping youth troubleshoot a product idea, you bring patience, curiosity, and enthusiasm to your work.

You might have experience as a chef, culinary instructor, caterer, food entrepreneur, community educator, or food systems practitioner. While experience with food entrepreneurship is a plus, curiosity, collaboration, and a willingness to learn alongside fellows are equally important. Most importantly, you are excited about helping young people discover thier own strengths and possibilities through food.

About the Role

Moonwater Farm is seeking a part-time Culinary Educator and Mentor to guide fellows through a 24-week learning experience focused on culinary skill building, product development, entrepreneurship, and food systems education.

Working alongside program staff, interns, and guest educators, you will facilitate weekly hands-on sessions that blend technical skill development with creativity, teamwork, and real-world application.

What You’ll Do

• Lead engaging weekly culinary education sessions
• Develop lesson plans, demonstrations, and hands-on learning activities
• Teach culinary fundamentals, food safety, preservation techniques, and recipe development
• Introduce concepts related to food entrepreneurship, licensing, pricing, and product development in accordance with California Class B Cottage Food Operations requirements
• Prioritize the use of farm-grown ingredients in educational activities and meal preparation
• Mentor fellows and support their growth as leaders, collaborators, and entrepreneurs
• Facilitate discussions that explore the connections between food, health, culture, and community
• Plan and oversee 8–10 plant-forward family-style meals serving approximately 35–40 people throughout the fellowship
• Collaborate with staff to source ingredients and maintain a safe, organized kitchen
• Work alongside interns, fellows, and program staff to prepare seasonal community meals
• Accommodate dietary needs and food allergies
• Participate in curriculum planning, program evaluation, and reflective practice

The educator will support fellows to:

• Develop foundational skills in culinary arts, food systems, and product development
• Apply basic business concepts including pricing, budgeting, and market evaluation
• Collaborate effectively in team-based production and enterprise activities
• Explore how food, fiber, and medicine connect to health, culture, environmental stewardship, and local economies
• Strengthen communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
• Contribute to the creation and testing of a market-ready product or service
• Build confidence in their ability to create positive change within their communities

What You’ll Bring

• Experience creating welcoming, inclusive learning environments for youth and young adults
• Culinary experience in professional, educational, entrepreneurial, or community settings
• Strong communication and group facilitation skills
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centered education
• Ability to adapt instruction to different learning styles and experience levels
• Food safety knowledge and safe kitchen practices
• A collaborative spirit and willingness to contribute to a team environment

What You’ll Experience at Moonwater Farm

• A consistent part-time schedule
• A collaborative, mission-driven team culture
• Support from culinary interns and program staff
• Opportunities to shape curriculum and contribute creative ideas
• Meaningful relationships with young people and community members
• Work grounded in food, land stewardship, culture, and community development

Compensation & Terms

• $26/hour, non-exempt
• Temporary part-time position (minimum 12 hours per week)
• Grant-funded term: August 2026 – May 2027
• Located in Compton, California
• Employment contingent on background check

Moonwater Farm is committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for staff, fellows, and community members. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and professional pathways to apply.