Chef Instructor (Sur La Table)

Job description

With over 58 stores and the largest avocational cooking program in the US, **Sur La Table** offers an unsurpassed selection of exclusive and premium-quality goods for the kitchen and table – and the culinary expertise and inspiration to go along with it. Whether the job entails interacting with our customers, driving digital growth, or providing vital behind-the-scenes support, we’re all here for the same reason – to roll up our sleeves and create happiness through cooking and sharing good food. **Position Overview** As a **Chef Instructor** at Sur La Table, you are the in-store expert and advocate for all things education. You deliver **#bestincenter** service by sharing product knowledge, brewing techniques, knife skills, and personalized instruction that supports all company initiatives. The **Chef Instructor** plays a key role in driving sales of espresso machines, coffee makers, coffee grinders, knife skills, and cooks tools through active demonstrations, coffee classes and knife skills classes. **Key Responsibilities** **Customer Experience & Brand Representation** · Represent Sur La Table’s brand and culture by creating memorable, educational experiences that inspire repeat visits and customer loyalty. · Lead engaging and informative culinary and coffee-focused demonstrations that showcase our expertise and elevate the in-store experience. · Deliver high-quality, hands-on classes that teach fundamental and advanced cooking techniques, including essential knife skills. · Educate customers on a variety of brewing methods, including pour-over, French Press, AeroPress, espresso, and cold brew. · Guide customers in selecting coffee beans based on flavor profiles, roast levels, and origin **Sales & Business Performance** · Promote and sell cooking tools, coffee products, equipment, and accessories as part of class experiences and demos. · Support the store in achieving revenue goals by driving customer engagement and conversion through education. · Consistently meet or exceed monthly sales goals, contributing to overall store revenue. Performance is measured by key KPIs such as individual sales volume, average transaction value, and customer conversion rates. **Team Engagement & Store Support** · Partner with store leaders to ensure alignment between culinary programming and store priorities. · Collaborate on merchandising strategies that highlight key tools and products featured in classes. **Operations & Compliance** · Ensure compliance with food safety standards, local health codes, and sanitation regulations. · Properly handle all tools, ingredients, and kitchen equipment to maintain a safe and efficient work environment. · Maintain accurate inventory levels, minimize shrink, and control supply and culinary expenses. · Ensure store safety and cleanliness, addressing any maintenance needs promptly. · Adhere to applicable wage and hour laws. Accurately records time worked according to SLT Policy. · Model and ensure consistent adherence to all Sur La Table policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs). **Physical Requirements** · Ability to communicate verbally and work cooperatively with associates and customers · Ability to remain standing for up to 4 hours at a time · Ability to move about the store directing class participants while selling to customers and retrieving merchandise from stockroom or sales floor · The capability to accurately perceive and differentiate variations in intensity or quality of flavors or odors, or to identify specific tastes or scents using the tongue or nose. · Ability to grab, reach, push, pull, bend, stoop, kneel, and crouch to retrieve and replenish merchandise from stockroom or sales floor. · Ability to use hands to seize, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise to chop, whisk, slice, stir, juice and/or demonstrate other techniques. · Ability to lift and/or move merchandise weighing up to 50 lbs. · Ability to ascend/descend ladders to retrieve and/or move merchandise · Ability to operate a computer, POS system, keyboards, merchandise scanners and mouse to accomplish work · Available to work between 12 and 16 hours per week, with a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays · Regular and predictable attendance with the flexibility to adjust class assignments based on demand, ensuring 3-4 classes are taught per week. · Ability to work in a variable environment with exposure to hot equipment, steam, varying temperatures, and potential airborne and physical coffee-related allergens. **Qualifications & Experience** · Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of employment. · A degree in culinary arts is preferred; however, candidates with extensive culinary experience and demonstrated technical proficiency will be considered in lieu of formal education. · 1-2 years of kitchen operations experience. · Valid Food Manager Certification. · Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. · Passion for community engagement and providing exceptional customer experiences. · Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and retail systems preferred.