Toxic Environment - Kitchen Assistant Sur La Table Employee Review

1.0
11 Apr 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The 40% discount is useful for buying gifts for people. The kitchen staff is great, it used to feel like a big family. But recent changes have severely damaged staff morale.

Cons

The pay is an insult since retail staff make significantly more and while kitchen staff regularly make sales, or help close sales they are not compensated in bonuses, wage, or contests. In trying to standardize the company, they took away the ability to pick the classes you want to work and made the schedule chaotic. The idea that you'll learn by working the class is a myth, if you are paying attention to the chef and not getting your job done, the other KAs will get mad at you for making them pick up the slack. But because the pay is so low, and the demands on the staff so high they hire pretty much anyone that applies whether they are a good fit for the job or not.

Explore other reviews about Sur La Table

5.0
12 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Very fun work - Get to work with professional chefs - You will actually learn more about cooking in this position than you will taking the classes - Employee discounts

Cons

- Low pay with no opportunity for advancement, not a career path - Sometimes kitchen is understaffed, putting a lot of pressure on you

1.0
8 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I gained lots of knowledge & was inspired to cook.

Cons

What was once a fun job, became chaotic & sad!

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All