Chef Instructor, Pastry (Sur La Table)

Naperville, IL, USA|

Job Overview

Compensation

Hourly

Range $17.50 - $18.62

Benefits

401k

employee discount

Employee assistance program

Job Description

Sur La Table is a renowned specialty retailer with over 58 stores nationwide, known for offering an unsurpassed selection of exclusive and premium-quality kitchen and table goods. As the leader in avocational cooking programs in the United States, Sur La Table combines exceptional products with expert culinary knowledge and inspiration. The company is dedicated to creating happiness through cooking and sharing good food. Sur La Table fosters a culture that blends retail excellence with educational experiences, making it a uniquely engaging place for culinary enthusiasts and customers alike. As a company, Sur La Table emphasizes not only quality product offerings but also meaningful interactions with its customers to inspire cooking creativity and enjoyment.

The position of Chef Instructor, Pastry at Sur La Table is integral to this mission. This role is the in-store expert and advocate for all things related to baking and pastry arts, delivering best-in-center service that reflects high standards of excellence. The Chef Instructor, Pastry is responsible for sharing specialized knowledge in pastry techniques and baking fundamentals through personalized instruction. This position supports the company's initiatives by inspiring a love for baking, delivering engaging culinary classes, and driving sales of pertinent bakeware, mixers, and decorating tools. By delivering hands-on pastry classes, the Chef Instructor cultivates customer loyalty and drives business performance. The role requires passion, expertise in pastry arts, and exceptional communication skills to explain advanced techniques clearly and encourage customer participation.

In addition to culinary instruction, the Chef Instructor, Pastry supports store operations and ensures compliance with food safety and sanitation regulations. The role includes organizing class setups, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, handling inventory control, and ensuring a safe work environment. This multi-faceted position blends educational excellence, customer service, retail sales, and operational support, making it vital to the overall success of Sur La Table's unique culinary program. Candidates for this role should be prepared to engage dynamically with store guests, maintain exemplary kitchen standards, and embody the Sur La Table brand and passion for cooking.

This is a part-time position offering an hourly wage ranging from $17.50 to $18.62. The schedule is flexible, requiring availability including nights, weekends, and holidays, with a commitment of 12 to 16 hours per week, adaptable based on business needs. Sur La Table offers competitive benefits including a 401K plan after 90 days for employees aged 21 or older, employee discounts, and access to an employee assistance program. The company values diversity, equity, and inclusion and provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Sur La Table also integrates modern recruitment technologies like AI to support the hiring process while ensuring human oversight and judgment.

Job Requirements

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
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
Ability to accurately perceive and differentiate variations in intensity or quality of flavors or odors or identify specific tastes or scents using the tongue or nose
Ability to grab, reach, push, pull, bend, stoop, kneel and crouch to demonstrate, retrieve and/or replenish merchandise and/or cooking equipment
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 flexibility to adjust class assignments based on demand
Ability to work in a variable kitchen environment including but not limited to open flames, hot surfaces, temperature variations, various food allergens both physical and airborne

Job Qualifications

Must be 21 years of age or older
A degree in culinary arts is preferred
Candidates with extensive culinary experience and demonstrated technical proficiency will be considered
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

Job Duties

Represent Sur La Table’s brand and culture by creating memorable, educational experiences that inspire repeat visits and customer loyalty
Deliver an exceptional in-store culinary experience focused on pastry and baking classes that reflects Sur La Table’s passion for food, teaching, and high standards
Communicate technical concepts and advanced pastry skills in a clear, encouraging, and approachable manner
Maintain expertise by staying current on products, actively engaging in training, and independently seeking additional resources
Drive sales by upholding kitchen standards, encouraging second class sign-ups, and promoting retail items used or featured in class
Deliver class revenue goals by ensuring high enrollment, positive reviews, and guest return rates
Assist in setting up and breakdown of classes including organizing mise en place, prepping ingredients, and cleaning workstations
Clean and sanitize dishes and equipment promptly to ensure smooth kitchen operations
Assist with restocking, organizing, and maintaining kitchen supplies and tools to support overall store readiness
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 wage and hour laws and accurately record time worked according to policy