12 Culinary Internships for High School Students
If you’re a high school student with a passion for food and an interest in exploring the food and hospitality industry, you should consider an internship in the culinary arts. Culinary internships can offer practical experience in professional kitchens, help you acquire essential culinary skills, and expose you to potential career paths in the culinary industry.
These internships, many offered by prestigious culinary institutes and well-established restaurants, will let you work alongside professional chefs, learn about different cuisines, and understand the dynamics of restaurant operations. From mastering basic techniques to learning about food safety and kitchen organization, culinary internships offer a rich learning experience that will enhance your college applications and lay the foundation for a successful career in the culinary arts.
Here's our curated list of 12 culinary internships tailored for high school students! Although some of the options listed are not traditional internships, they do offer hands-on experience in the field.
1. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ProStart
Location: The program is offered in over 1,800 schools in all 50 states and the Territory of Guam.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the location.
Dates: This program is offered for two academic years.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Students receive the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement (COA) and scholarships are granted to those students who choose to pursue post-secondary school degrees/certifications.
ProStart is a two-year, industry-backed culinary arts and restaurant management program for high school students. ProStart students learn how to be industry professionals through hands-on work under the direction of a mentor. Mentors help students make the connection between their present performance and their future careers. ProStart is a career and technical education program that unites the food service industry and the classroom to teach high school students culinary skills and restaurant management principles, as well as employability skills such as communication, teamwork, professionalism, and time management.
You’ll gain access to industry experts through guest speakers, class mentors, tours of local facilities, student competitions, and more. You’ll also get to participate in The National ProStart Invitational (NPSI) which is the country’s premier secondary school competition focused on restaurant management and culinary arts. NPSI 2024 was be held on April 26–28 at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront, Baltimore, Maryland.
2. Career Explorations - Food Innovation and Technology at Johnson & Wales University
Location: Providence, RI.
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors can participate.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the slots are filled.
Dates: July 11 - 14, 2024 | July 18 - 21, 2024.
Cost: $399.
During the Career Explorations’ Food Innovation and Technology program, you’ll get to sharpen your skills in the culinary labs and learn from JWU chefs, who not only know how to teach the fine art of cooking but also have excelled in the industry. You’ll also explore the impact you can make through food outside the kitchen, with experts leading the charge to change the food industry through education, sustainability, and research.
You’ll also get a better understanding of their programs including baking & pastry arts; culinary arts; culinary nutrition; culinary science & product development; food & beverage entrepreneurship; food & beverage industry management; food innovation & technology; and sustainable food systems. During your Career Explorations visit, you will meet faculty, talk with current students, and more! You’ll stay on campus for three nights. The program includes housing, all meals, instructional materials, activities, and on-campus transportation.
3. The Cooke Internship Program
Location: New York, NY.
Eligibility: Upper School and Transitions students (ages 14-21) can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: Internships typically run from October through June, once or twice per week.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Cooke provides a stipend to students who participate in the internship program.
Cooke School and Institute, a nonprofit provider of special education services in New York City, offers Upper School and Transitions students (ages 14-21), internship opportunities as a required part of the curriculum. The Cooke Internship Program collaborates with private and public sector employers who offer their students internship opportunities.
Students are partnered with sites that match their strengths and interests and allow them to make meaningful contributions to the organization. There are many opportunities available for students who are interested in culinary arts. All interns are accompanied to their job site by a Cooke job coach who supports the intern for the duration of their time at the host site. You can check the list of organizations that participate in the Cooke Internship Program here.
4. HCC’s Hospitality Management Apprenticeship Programs
Location: Columbia, MD.
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- Be 18 years of age or older by the program start date or in the School to Apprenticeship (youth apprenticeship) program and 16 years old with parental consent.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent, or be a dual-enrolled high school senior.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Dates: Vary depending on the opportunity.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Students receive a stipend.
HCC’s Hospitality Management Apprenticeship Programs offer a holistic approach to professional development, combining academic instruction with practical experience and industry partnerships to equip apprentices with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities necessary for a successful career in hospitality management.
In these 24–36 month "earn-as-you-learn" programs, you will gain a solid academic foundation, essential business and technical knowledge, and on-the-job experience to work as an entry or mid-level manager in hotels, restaurants, resorts, or other facilities that provide food and beverage service or accommodations.
The Hospitality Management Apprenticeship Programs offer two occupations: Food Service Manager and Hotel and Lodging Manager. The first offers training to become a Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Back House Manager. The second program will teach apprentices skills to become an Event Manager, Hospitality Manager, or Hotel and Lodging Manager.
Location: Orlando, Florida, United States | Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States.
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
- Possess unrestricted work authorization within the United States.
Application Deadline: 2024 dates TBA.
Dates: Fall 2024 (Dates TBA). Program length will be between 4 months (16 weeks) to 6 months (24 weeks).
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Pay rate will be ($21.00 - $25.10) per hour based on the participant’s responsibility.
As a Disney Culinary Program participant at the Walt Disney World Resort, you will gain on-the-job experience working in their parks and resorts, participate in an outstanding learning experience, and meet and live with people from all over the world in the housing community. Culinary Cast Members have the opportunity to showcase their passion for culinary while providing first-rate dining experiences.
As an intern, you’ll prepare dishes from scratch for a variety of locations throughout their restaurants while encompassing a diverse offering of cuisines, work cleanly and safely within culinary and food preparation, follow recipes and gain an understanding of recipe conversion, and learn and develop alongside their culinary team.
6. The Restaurant Youth Registered Apprenticeship (RYRA)
Location: RYRA is offered in Colorado, Delaware, Louisiana, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
Eligibility: Youth between the ages of 16-24 are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: Vary depending on the sponsors’ requirements.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend is paid (amount not specified).
The Restaurant Youth Registered Apprenticeship (RYRA) aims to connect young people to restaurants through industry apprenticeships like line cook, kitchen manager, restaurant manager, and complementary services that support growth and achievement. The program partners with State Restaurant Associations, ProStart and Restaurant Ready programs, education and training providers, and supportive service providers to advance participants on their path to success.
Currently, there are three apprenticeship career tracks, Line Cook, Kitchen Manager, and Restaurant Manager, which offer benefits such as on-the-job training in a restaurant setting; job-related education in a classroom setting or online; access to nationally recognized credentials from the restaurant industry and the USDO; and front-of-house and back-of-house knowledge.
7. Wekiva Culinary Internship Program - FFGC Wekiva Youth Camp
Location: Wekiva Springs State Park, Apopka, FL.
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older on the first day of camp.
Application Deadline: Applications are open now and typically close in May.
Dates: June 8, 2024 - July 29, 2024.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Interns will receive $12 - $16 per hour, based on experience.
Wekiva Culinary offers small-group chef mentoring of high school and high school graduate students each school year. Wekiva Culinary offers 10 internship positions working at the FFGC Wekiva Youth Camp in June and July. Culinary interns earn associated high school credit while working 20+ hours per week in the camp kitchen. During the camp, as an intern, you’ll help provide daily meals to 150 campers and camp counselors, seven days a week for 7 weeks during the summer. You will clean and sanitize dishes, cookware, utensils, and food preparation work stations; assist in the food preparation process by cutting, chopping, slicing, and washing vegetables, meats, and other ingredients; follow all food health and safety requirements; assist with the unloading of deliveries, cleaning and storing equipment; and interact with campers as needed.
Each intern is required to be able to lift 50 pounds, stand for long periods, speak clearly, listen carefully, follow instructions, and maintain a professional attitude and demeanor at all times.
Location: San Francisco, CA.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the session.
Dates: This internship program is offered in 3 sessions:
- Fall Semester After-School Program: September through December (10-week program)
- Spring Semester After-School Program: March through May (10-week program)
- Summer Fellowship: July through August (8-week program)
Cost/Stipend: Free to SFUSD students at participating schools; Paid (amount not specified).
Foodwise Teens is a paid youth development program where through hands-on experiences in the garden, in the kitchen, and at the farmers market, you’ll get to learn about food justice, develop important life and job skills, and build community together.
Foodwise Teens offers participants multiple opportunities to nurture their health and well-being, build leadership and stewardship, and explore careers in their food community. The three program levels include:
Seed: Teens learn about the food system and local food community after school and on-site at the farmers market (fall or spring, after school, 10 weeks)
Grow: Teens deepen their learning and skills through teen-led projects and leadership opportunities (fall or spring, after school, 10 weeks)
Cultivate: Teens participate in various job placements in the local food community and receive mentorship and coaching (summer, 8 weeks)
9. Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP)
Location: Multiple locations.
Eligibility: All high school students can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: 5 weeks (Dates TBA)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Paid (amount not specified).
Job Training and Internship Program provides intensive training in kitchen skills including knife cuts, food and equipment identification, safety and sanitation, as well as soft skills, such as communication, time management, and problem-solving. Training is followed by a paid internship in a professional kitchen, where you’ll gain critical job skills and experiences.
You’ll also get an opportunity to train and participate in the annual C-CAP Cooking Competitions. The challenge includes preparing classic French dishes to demonstrate students’ culinary, safety, sanitation, and presentation skills in a timed competition. You’ll get a chance to win scholarships to attend college/post-secondary schools around the nation as well.
10. Arizona Culinary Institute’s Diploma Program
Location: Scottsdale, AZ.
Eligibility: High school graduating seniors are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the program/course.
Dates: The day program has 8 starts a year (about every 6 weeks). The evening program has 4 starts per year. You can check the dates for different courses and programs available for high school students here.
Cost: Varies depending on the program/course. Check here.
Arizona Culinary Institute’s “Diploma Program” for high school graduating seniors emphasizes the importance of experiential, interactive learning activities in a real-world setting – you’ll get to do the job before you take the job. You’ll get a chance to attend classes taught by instructors with real-world experience combined with a focused, career-specific curriculum designed to accelerate your entry into the job market by offering a shorter length of training. ACI offers several start dates per academic calendar year. The day program has 8 starts a year (about every 6 weeks). The evening program has 4 starts per year.
There are several courses/diploma programs offered by the ACI in 2024:
-Diploma in Culinary Arts, Baking and Restaurant Mgmt. (30 Weeks)
-Diploma Program in Culinary Arts, Baking and Restaurant Mgmt. (40 Weeks)
-Course in Basic Culinary Arts (6 Weeks)
-Course in Baking and Pastry (9 Weeks)
-Course in Basic Culinary Arts (9 Weeks)
11. The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College’s Summer Institute
Location: Philadelphia, PA.
Eligibility: High school juniors are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the slots are filled.
Dates: Week 1: July 10 - 12, 2024 | Week 2: July 17 - 19, 2024.
Cost: $525.
Each year, Walnut Hill College presents its Summer Institute for high school juniors. During your stay, you’ll get a taste of what their students experience during Culinary Arts, Pastry Arts, and Management classes catered just to you. For three days, you’ll learn about exciting career options within restaurants and hospitality, participate in fun off-campus events, and meet other students who are just as passionate about the industry as you are.
The highlights of the institute include hands-on training in the kitchens with their chef instructors, evening activities across the city of Philadelphia, a delicious lunch at a University City restaurant, and a farewell dinner, where your family will enjoy food made and served by YOU!
12. World of Culinary Arts Program
Location: Le Bouveret & Brig, Switzerland, Europe
Eligibility: World of Culinary Arts is open to young people aged 16-20.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: Multiple start dates in 2024 - January 8, 2024 | April 8, 2024 | July 8, 2024 | October 7, 2024
Cost: The approximate total cost is $22,000 per term. Food and accommodation included, as well as health and accident insurance.
Note: You can contact the counselors for the exact price and dates for the current summer program.
The Introduction to Culinary Arts course takes you on a discovery of various culinary traditions. During the course, you will learn about various techniques to work safely in a kitchen, taste new foods, and learn recipes to share with your friends and family.
Week 1 and week 4 are dedicated to “European cuisine”, from pizza to bread, or even a Swiss fondue. Week 2 and week 5 will take you on a worldwide tour through their “World Cuisine” course. Week 3 and week 6 are dedicated to “Chocolate and Pastry“, which has been specially created for sweet lovers. You will also get a chance to live and learn alongside fellow students from around the world, discovering different cultures and making new friends along the way.
13. Institut Culinaire de France’s Summer Camp Pastry
Location: Bordeaux, France.
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent.
Application Deadline: An application request must be made through the website. Within the next 48 hours, the candidate will receive an invitation for an interview, either in person or via video conference.
Dates: July 1 - August 23, 2024 (280 hours of practical work / 35 hours a week).
Cost: € 8,000 (approximately $8500).
Institut Culinaire de France offers a 2-month intensive course during the summer. During these 2 months, participants are in complete professional immersion with 7 hours a day in the laboratory. This is an intensive program covering the best French techniques for classical and modern confectionery arts in pastry, bakery, chocolate, and ice cream. You will get to use premium products exclusively.
You’ll also get to learn about design, hygiene, and the quality process which will help you to become experienced and autonomous professionals. There will only be 16 students per lab and the course can be followed in English. The participants will also receive a school certificate at the end of the course.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
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Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!
Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.