Resident Chef (Sur La Table)

As a Resident Chef at Sur La Table, you play a key role in the success of the store by leading high-performing culinary teams that inspire customers throughout every stage of their culinary experience.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit, mentor and retain a high-performing team to meet the business needs of both culinary and retail.
• Lead, coach, and inspire associates to exceed performance expectations and uphold a positive team culture.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide feedback, and create development plans to support individual and team growth.

Customer Experience & Brand Representation

• Represent Sur La Table’s brand and culture by creating memorable, educational experiences that inspire repeat visits and customer loyalty.
• Ensure an outstanding cooking class experience in every session by following provided recipes and game plans while holding employees accountable for quality and execution.
• Work with store leadership to increase foot traffic and store engagement through cooking classes and private events.
• Maintain expertise by staying current on products, actively engaging in available training, and independently seeking out additional resources.
• Ensure exceptional customer experience by leading a customer-focused, Guest Obsessed culture in both the kitchen and retail sales floor.
• Oversee, address, and take responsibility for all customer feedback related to the culinary program to maintain satisfaction and loyalty.

Sales & Business Performance

• Drive sales growth by developing and implementing strategies to enhance the culinary and retail business.
• Analyze key performance metrics daily and leverage insights to optimize store performance.
• Consistently meet or exceed culinary and retail goals by delivering exceptional classes and customer experiences that drive engagement and sales.

Operations & Compliance

• Manage daily store operations while ensuring compliance with food safety standards, local health codes, and sanitation regulations.
• Maintain accurate inventory levels, minimize shrink, and control supply and culinary expenses.
• May handle liquor, wine, and beer in compliance with state and location alcohol regulations, company policies, including enforcing age restrictions.
• Ensure store safety and cleanliness, addressing any maintenance needs promptly.
• Maintain the accuracy and integrity of employee records, including but not limited to time and attendance data, food safety certifications, and personal information.
• Adhere to applicable wage and hour laws.
• Accurately record time worked according to SLT Policy.
• Model and ensure all Sur La Table policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are communicated effectively to associates, maintained and consistently followed.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to communicate verbally and work cooperatively with associates and customers.
• Ability to remain standing for up to 5 hours at a time.
• Ability to move about the store coaching and directing associates and/or class participants while selling to customers.
• 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.
• Workweeks are expected to be between 46 and 48 hours with the ability to have a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Regular and predictable attendance with the flexibility to adjust class assignments based on demand, ensuring 6-8 classes are taught per week.
• Ability to work in a variable kitchen environment included but not limited to open flames, hot surfaces, temperature variations, various food allergens both physical and airborne.

Qualifications & Experience

• Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of employment.
• Culinary degree strongly preferred.
• 1-2 years’ experience as a culinary instructor.
• 3-4 years of progressively responsible kitchen management experience.
• Valid Food Manager Certification.
• Proven track record of achieving sales and motivating high performing sales teams while meeting operational goals.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, develop, and retain a high performing team.
• 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.