Chef Instructor (Sur La Table)

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.

This job description represents a summary of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. Responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder might differ from those outlined in the job description and other duties, as assigned, may be part of the job. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Sur La Table has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

The CSC family of brands provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, state or local laws.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Washington state applicants only: If you believe that this job posting does not comply with applicable Washington state law, please notify us by sending an email to [email protected].

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie-detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The CSC family of brands is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact [email protected].

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.