Culinary Lead: Teach, Lead & Elevate Guest Experiences

Cscgeneration 2; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Sur La Table is seeking a Culinary Lead to inspire guests and drive sales while building a high-performing culinary team. This role blends culinary expertise with teaching skills to deliver best-in-class experiences in-store and in classes.

You will coach and develop staff, ensure food safety, and represent the brand through memorable classes and private events, achieving guest satisfaction and measurable KPIs.

Qualifications

• 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 progressively responsible kitchen management 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.

Responsibilities

• Supports the recruitment, training, and ongoing development of a high-performing team to meet the culinary business needs.
• Lead, coach, and inspire associates to exceed performance expectations and uphold a positive team culture.
• Provide in-the-moment coaching and feedback to elevate performance and team engagement. Communicate performance issues directly to the General Manager/Store Manager.
• Represent Sur La Table’s brand and culture by creating memorable, educational experiences that inspire repeat visits and customer loyalty.
• Maintains expertise by staying current on products, actively engaging in available training, and independently seeking out additional resources.
• Ensures 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.
• Ensure exceptional customer experience by leading a customer-focused, Guest Obsessed culture in both the kitchen and retail sales floor.
• Assist with driving sales growth by 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 program goals by delivering exceptional classes that drive customer engagement and sales. Performance is measured by key KPIs such as second-class sign-ups, retail culinary product sales, and guest feedback through Google reviews.
• 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.
• 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.
• Adhere to applicable wage and hour laws. Accurately records time worked according to SLT Policy.
• Models and ensures all Sur La Table policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are communicated effectively to associates, maintained and consistently followed.

Skills

Leadership

Team Development

Customer Experience

Sales Strategy

Coaching

Food Safety

Communication

Microsoft Office

Education

Culinary Degree

Tools

POS Systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Sur La Table is seeking a Culinary Lead to inspire guests and drive sales while building a high-performing culinary team. This role blends culinary expertise with teaching skills to deliver best-in-class experiences in-store and in classes.

You will coach and develop staff, ensure food safety, and represent the brand through memorable classes and private events, achieving guest satisfaction and measurable KPIs.