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Adjunct Faculty, Culinary Arts

Joliet Junior College · Joliet, IL · Part time

Posted Jun 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about your professional kitchen experience and how it prepares you to teach culinary arts.

What they are checking: Whether they bring real industry experience that students can learn from.

Your students range from teenagers to career changers in their forties. How do you teach to that mix?

What they are checking: Whether they can motivate learners with very different goals and starting points.

How would you connect what students learn in class to what employers in the industry expect?

What they are checking: Whether they prepare students for the real pace, standards and teamwork of food service jobs.

What would you do

A student cuts themselves badly during lab. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm, give first aid and follow college incident procedures.

A student keeps showing up late and unprepared for lab. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they hold students to kitchen-level professionalism while giving them a chance to improve.

About the work

How would you teach knife skills to a student who has never held a chef's knife?

What they are checking: Whether they can break a dangerous skill into safe, clear steps for true beginners.

Walk me through how you run a lab where students are cooking at the same time.

What they are checking: Whether they can manage safety, timing and teaching in a busy kitchen full of learners.

How do you teach food safety and sanitation so students actually practice it, not just memorize it?

What they are checking: Whether they build habits that will hold up when students work in real kitchens and face inspections.

How do you grade a dish in a way that is fair and helps the student improve?

What they are checking: Whether they use clear criteria and give specific feedback rather than just a score.

How do you manage food costs and inventory for a lab class?

What they are checking: Whether they can plan labs responsibly within the department's budget.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Joliet Junior College.

Position Title: Adjunct Faculty, Culinary Arts Job Description: POSITION: Adjunct Instructor, Culinary Arts STATUS: Part time DEPARTMENT: Culinary Arts SUB-DIVISION: Career and Technical Education DIVISION: Academic Affairs CLASSIFICATION: Exempt UNION: Adjunct Faculty-JUAC, IEA-NEA REPORTS TO: Department Chair and the Dean of Career and Technical Education PLACEMENT: Adjunct Faculty HIRING RANGE: Hiring Rate Per Contact Hour: Fall 2026 to Summer 2027: $1161.00 if candidate holds a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and $1220.00 if candidate holds a Ph.D., Ed.D, or J.D.z Competitive starting pay is dependent on education and experience. JJC offers regular full-time positions a variety of fringe benefits including retirement benefits, holidays, personal time, and other discounts/reimbursement for classes. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The student population at the college is diverse in ethnicity, gender, language, age and background. Joliet Junior College is an AA/EO employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates who would enhance the diversity of its staff. POSITION SUMMARY Chef instructor position conducting “hands on” practical classes in food production, fabrication, professional culinary skill and technique development, AND/OR baking and pastry, in addition to lecture based restaurant management and operational classes in cost controls, purchasing, etc. Adapt to new and changing situations and demonstrate a positive attitude. Demonstrate respect for students; understand learning styles and apply understanding to institution-related activities; demonstrate integrity and promote diversity and open communications. Course assignments may be late afternoon, evening, Saturday, and at branch campuses or satellite centers. Position is subject to all terms and provisions of the Joliet Junior College adjunct faculty contract. ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Teach assigned course(s) focusing on appropriate professional techniques, methods and terminology. 2. Possess and maintain a thorough practical and theoretical knowledge of the subject matter necessary to the assigned course load by actively seeking professional development and industry feedback in the field of Culinary Arts. 3. Utilize effective teaching methods in the classroom to engage students as active learners and be versatile to adapt to changing instructional technologies and teach to a diverse student population. 4. Work closely with other instructors and special programs and services within the college to determine placements, curriculum, and academic support. 5. Participate in course development, assessment, accreditation, and planning activities. 6. Be willing to teach online and/or blended courses. 7. Participate in appropriate departmental meetings and recruitment activities. 8. Teach classes during non-traditional times (evenings and weekends) if needed. 9. Maintain rapport with multicultural students and faculty within a community college environment. 10. Teach at other campus sites as needed. 11. Participate in promoting the Culinary Arts Management Program by maintaining an active relationship with the Food Service and Hospitality Industry, professional organizations and the area high schools. 12. Participate with students in culinary competitions and other extra-curricular culinary and hospitality related events. 13. Meet other contractual obligations as spelled out in the Joliet Junior College adjunct faculty contract. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts from a nationally recognized post-secondary culinary school. 2. Ten (10) years of industry work experience in a high volume or fine dining venue with at least five (5) supervisory years as working chef or pastry chef. 3. Certified or certifiable as a Certified Executive Chef or Certified Executive Pastry Chef as per the ACF guidelines. 4. Expertise in appropriate technologies for instruction. 5. Demonstrated commitment to teaching and learning. 6. Well versed in both classical and contemporary cooking and/or baking and pastry methods. 7. Excellent communication, math and writing skills. 8. Quality professional cooking and food production, or baking and pastry production skills and techniques. 9. Enthusiastic and energetic people skills. 10. Currently participates in community involvement and community activities. 11. Must be competent to instruct in both theoretical and practical classroom settings. 12. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other members of the college and community, displaying cultural competence as well as emotional intelligence. 13. Demonstrated commitment to the college’s core values of respect and inclusion, sustainability, integrity, collaboration, humor and well-being, innovation and quality. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 1. Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary, Hospitality Management, Foodservice, or related field. 2. Teaching experience at the collegiate level. 3. Experience with traditional and non-traditional students or workforce from diverse backgrounds. 4. Experience in teaching online and/or using course management programs. 5. Experience in course development and assessment, planning, quality and accreditation processes, and committee service. 6. English and Spanish verbal and written communication proficiency. 7. Demonstrated multicultural competence. PHYSICAL DEMANDS 1. Normal Culinary Arts classroom physical demands. WORKING CONDITIONS 1. Classroom teaching environment. BENEFITS Click on the link for information about JJC's Benefits: Part Time - Adjunct Faculty-JUAC, IEA-NEA Full Time/Part Time: Part time Union (If Applicable): Scheduled Hours: 0

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