9 Culinary Internships for High School Students

Getting a summer job at a farm or a restaurant is a great way to learn about job opportunities in the food industry while gaining hands-on work experiences and getting paid. But some of the best culinary internships take this a step further, such as the 9 best culinary internships for high school students featured in this article. In addition to getting paid, earning school credits, and gaining hand-on learning experiences, culinary internships often prioritize mentorship, job preparation, and food safety certifications — all of which will help you stand out on future college and job applications!

Why Consider a Culinary Internship in High School?

There are lots of job opportunities within the food industry and culinary internships can be a great way to help clarify career interests: Are you most interested in hospitality? Agriculture? Nutrition? Sustainability? Additionally, by networking with culinary professionals, high schoolers are able to gain valuable mentorship opportunities, which can help them further define their educational and career goals. Culinary internships are also great ways to develop skills, such as teamwork, leadership, responsibility, creativity, and confidence.

What to Look for in a Culinary Internship

First and foremost, you’ll want to seek out culinary internships that offer plenty of practical kitchen experience. After all, theoretical knowledge can only get you so far — especially in a kitchen. This is why hands-on learning environments are so important. You’ll also want to look for internships that prioritize teamwork and leadership skills. In addition to these skills being crucial in the food industry, they are also valuable life skills that will be helpful in any number of workplaces. Depending on your goals, you may also want to prioritize internships that provide you with food safety certificates, school credit, and/or a stipend. Other factors you’ll want to consider as you research culinary internships is program length and scheduling flexibility.

9 Best Culinary Internships for High School Students

Now that we’ve discussed what to look for in a culinary internship, let’s dive right in! Whether you’re interested in gardening, nutrition, international cuisines, or sustainability, these 9 culinary internships could be the right internship for you:

1. ProStart by the National Restaurant Association

ProStart is a two-year culinary and restaurant management program available in over 2,100 high schools nationwide. This program blends classroom learning with hands-on experience in the foodservice industry, giving students the opportunity to gain foundational culinary and hospitality management skills while working with industry mentors and participating in culinary competitions. In addition to providing hands-on training and mentorship, students have the opportunity to earn the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement.

Location: 2,100+ schools participate in ProStart throughout the US. (For information on how to bring ProStart to your school, click here). 

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors

Timeline: 2-year program

Deadline: School dependent

Cost: Free

2. Food+ by Compass Group – Student Program

Food+ by Compass Group offers high school students the opportunity to learn about kitchen operations, menu development, and sustainable sourcing while working alongside experienced chefs. With programs available all over the world, from Singapore to Australia, students have the opportunity to travel internationally and explore wide range of cooking. Internship tracks offered include: culinary arts, hospitality management, baking and pastry, food safety, nutrition, and more.

Location: Locations all around the world, including Singapore and Australia

Eligibility: High school students and culinary students

Timeline: Varies based on program

Deadline: Rolling

Cost: Varies based on program

3. Kids Cooking for Life

Kids Cooking for Life is a community-based internship that allows teens to teach younger children about healthy cooking and nutrition. Interns help plan and lead classes, gaining leadership skills and hands-on culinary experience in the process. During these classes, students learn about nutrition before proceeding to cook a deal from scratch, using healthy, sustainably-sourced ingredients. Interns also learn about recipe development and marketing. 

Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California (virtual option also available)

Eligibility: High school and college students

Timeline: Throughout the year

Deadline: Rolling

Cost: Unpaid

4. Foodwise Teens

Based in the Bay Area, Foodwise Teens is a 10-week paid internship that empowers high schoolers to explore food justice, urban agriculture, and culinary skills. Students work at local farmers' markets and community kitchens, learning how food systems connect to health and sustainability. This program is offered in the Fall, Spring, and Summer and provides students with a $1,400 stipend per session.

Location: San Francisco, California 

Eligibility: High school students from partner schools in San Francisco.

Timeline: 10-week program offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Deadline: Varies depending on session

Cost: Paid ($1,400 stipend per semester)

5. Olivewood Gardens – Garden-to-Kitchen Internship 

The Garden-to-Kitchen Internship invites teens into the Olivewood Gardens' beautiful outdoor kitchen and organic gardens, where they learn about growing, harvesting, and preparing healthy meals. By working alongside experienced educators, nutritionists, and agriculturalists, students will become educated about local food systems, healthy eating, and meal preparation. Interns also participate in educational workshops focused on environmental stewardship and nutrition. Spring internships focus on gardening techniques, recipe preparation, culinary sciences, and budgeting. Interns will also have the opportunity to earn a food handler’s certification. 

Location: National City, California

Eligibility: Local high school students

Timeline: 8-12 hours per week for a semester

Deadline: Varies

Cost: Unpaid, receive school credit and fresh produce

6. The GreenHouse Culinary Arts Internship 

Offered in Sacramento, The GreenHouse Culinary Arts Internship provides high school students with practical cooking skills, food safety, and recipe improvisation. Interns prepare meals for community events and gain experience in teamwork and meal planning in the process. Students are paid a $350 stipend after completing this 5-week program.

Location: Sacramento, California

Eligibility: 10th–12th grade students

Timeline: 5-week program

Deadline: Not specified

Cost: Paid ($350 stipend provided)

7. Rainey Institute Culinary Creatives Program 

The Rainey Institute’s Culinary Creatives Program introduces high school students to culinary arts through engaging, hands-on workshops and access to paid internships with local chefs and summer work experiences. Students explore cooking techniques, cultural cuisines, and food presentation while developing confidence and creativity in the kitchen. In addition to learning  fundamental cooking techniques and food preparation methods, participants who complete the program will earn a ServSafe® Certification.

Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Eligibility: High school students

Timeline: After school classes (Monday – Wednesday) followed by a paid summer internship

Deadline: Varies

Cost: Paid (depends on location)

8. Working Food – Youth Gardens & Culinary Program Internship 

Located in Florida, the Youth Gardens & Culinary Program Internship combines garden-based education with culinary training. Interns grow ingredients in youth-run gardens, then use the produce in cooking projects that emphasize nutrition, sustainability, and food access. Program includes young chefs cooking classes, culinary arts training, and food safety certification for young adults.

Location: Gainesville, Florida

Eligibility: 14-17 year olds

Timeline: Throughout the year with paid seasonal internships

Deadline: Rolling

Cost: Paid

9. Wekiva Culinary Internship Program

Florida’s Wekiva High School offers a structured culinary internship where students work in real-world kitchen settings, including school cafeterias and local businesses. The program emphasizes professional kitchen skills, time management, and customer service. In addition to earning high school credit, students are paid for their work.

Location: Apopka, Florida

Eligibility: High school students and recent graduates

Timeline: Varies by location

Deadline: Varies by location

Cost: Paid ($250 per semester), provides school credit

The Unique Value of Culinary Internships for High School Students

Culinary internships for high school students go beyond just learning how to cook—they offer invaluable real-world experiences that cultivate essential skills, responsibility, and professionalism. These internships provide students with the opportunity to engage in hands-on, project-based learning, often under the guidance of expert chefs and culinary professionals. By immersing themselves in kitchen operations, students not only sharpen their cooking abilities but also gain transferable skills that will serve them well in any future career path.

Develop Key Culinary Skills While Building Responsibility

One of the key benefits of culinary internships is the hands-on experience students gain. By working directly in professional kitchens, students are introduced to the intricacies of cooking techniques, food safety, menu planning, and kitchen organization. This immersive environment fosters the development of important culinary skills that cannot be replicated in a classroom setting.

Moreover, internships often involve an element of responsibility that prepares students for the workforce. From managing kitchen tasks to collaborating on meal prep for large events, students are entrusted with critical duties that teach them how to handle pressure, meet deadlines, and deliver results. The ability to manage responsibilities in such a dynamic environment translates into stronger time management, organization, and problem-solving abilities—skills that are highly valued by future employers and college admissions teams.

Engage with Professionals and Build a Network for Future Opportunities

Another unique advantage of culinary internships is the opportunity to network with industry professionals. Students engage in mentorship relationships with chefs, restaurant owners, and other culinary experts who offer guidance, career insights, and even potential job opportunities. The connections made during an internship can lead to future internships, job offers, and a broad network of culinary professionals who can offer advice or provide references.

By cultivating relationships with experienced mentors, students gain insights into the culinary world, opening doors to new possibilities and career directions. These experiences also help build professionalism, as students learn how to communicate effectively with colleagues, manage time, and navigate a fast-paced working environment.

Tips to Succeed in a Culinary Internship

Like all high school internships, the best way to succeed is to be proactive and willing to learn. After all, internships are learning experiences, so do your best to take full advantage of every opportunity. Ask lots of questions, actively reflect on your progress, and foster relationships with the people around you. Working in food service requires teamwork, so use your internship as an opportunity to work on your people skills. There are lots of lessons you can learn from chefs, team members, and other interns, so do your best to be open to every opportunity. And remember, good networking skills often lead to more opportunities in the future — perhaps even job opportunities!

Cook Up Your Future with a Culinary Internship

Participating in a high school internship is a great way to explore career options before college, develop soft job skills, and start working on your resume. In addition to giving you a taste of working life, a culinary internship will help you develop confidence, creativity, responsibility, professionalism, and the ability to work well with others.

Not only will these skills help you succeed in future jobs (regardless of the industry), but they will also help you stand out from your peers on your college applications. Overall, culinary internships for high school students are a worthwhile use of your time, especially if you are interested in exploring job opportunities within the food industry. 

So don’t wait! Start applying to culinary internships today!