Seasonal Chef Instructor, Pastry (Sur La Table)

Glendale, CA, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Part-time

Hourly

Seasonal

Compensation

Hourly

Range $20.37 - $21.67

Work Schedule

Flexible

Weekend Shifts

Night Shifts

Benefits

competitive pay

employee discount

flexible scheduling

Training and development opportunities

Employee assistance program

inclusive workplace

Paid Time Off

Job Description

Sur La Table is a premier specialty retailer offering an expansive and exclusive collection of premium-quality kitchen and tableware. With over 58 stores nationwide, Sur La Table has established itself as a leader in the culinary retail and education space, hosting the largest avocational cooking program in the United States. The company is dedicated to enhancing the joy of cooking and sharing food through exceptional products, expert culinary insights, and inspiring hands-on experiences that empower their customers to create memorable moments. Sur La Table's core values focus on delivering excellent customer service, fostering a passion for cooking, and creating vibrant communities around food.

The Seasonal Chef Instructor, Pastry position at Sur La Table represents a vital role within the company’s educational and retail mission. This role involves serving as the in-store expert on baking and pastry arts, where you will inspire enthusiasm and proficiency in culinary skills for all levels of customers. As a Seasonal Chef Instructor, you will deliver Sur La Table’s signature #bestincenter service by educating customers in pastry fundamentals and advanced techniques through engaging, hands-on classes. These classes are designed not only to teach valuable culinary skills but also to drive sales of bakeware, mixers, and decorating tools, reinforcing the connection between learning and the products customers purchase.

You will act as a brand ambassador, creating memorable culinary experiences that uphold Sur La Table’s high standards for quality and customer engagement. Your responsibilities will include delivering clear and approachable culinary instruction, maintaining up-to-date expertise on culinary products and trends, and providing consistent support to enhance store operations. Additionally, you will contribute to business growth through achieving class revenue goals, increasing repeat class enrollments, and promoting retail sales during cooking events.

As part of your day-to-day functions, you will help prepare and clean class workstations, manage kitchen supplies, and ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation standards to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for participants. This position requires flexibility to work between 12 to 16 hours per week, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, ensuring the availability to meet the dynamic scheduling demands of the culinary program.

Offering a competitive hourly wage of $20.37 to $21.67, Sur La Table encourages culinary professionals and enthusiasts with a passion for teaching and community engagement to apply. The company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering an inclusive workplace free from discrimination. This seasonal instructor role is perfect for those who love pastry and baking arts and want to share their skills with others while supporting a vibrant retail culinary brand.

Job 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
Ability to perceive and differentiate variations in intensity or quality of flavors or odors
Ability to grab, reach, push, pull, bend, stoop, kneel, and crouch
Ability to use hands to chop, whisk, slice, stir, and demonstrate culinary techniques
Ability to lift and move merchandise weighing up to 50 lbs
Ability to ascend or descend ladders to retrieve or move merchandise
Ability to operate computer, POS systems, keyboards, merchandise scanners, and mouse
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
Ability to work in variable kitchen environments including exposure to open flames, hot surfaces, temperature variations, and various food allergens

Job Qualifications

Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of employment
A degree in culinary arts is preferred but extensive culinary experience and demonstrated technical proficiency will also be considered
1-2 years of kitchen operations experience
Valid Food Manager Certification
Excellent communication skills
Strong 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, while following provided recipes and game plans
Communicate technical concepts and advanced pastry skills in a clear, encouraging, and approachable manner
Maintain expertise by staying current on products, actively engaging in available training, and independently seeking out additional resources
Drive sales by upholding kitchen standards, encouraging second class sign-ups through strong customer engagement, 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 applicable wage and hour laws
Accurately record time worked according to Sur La Table policy
Model and ensure consistent adherence to all Sur La Table policies and standard operating procedures