2026 Summer Intern - Culinary

Highgate Hotels • Denver, CO

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Culinary Intern – Kitchen Operations / Cook Support is designed for students or early-career hospitality professionals interested in gaining hands-on experience in a professional hotel kitchen environment. This internship provides exposure to daily culinary operations, food preparation, sanitation standards, kitchen organization, and guest-focused service. The intern will support the culinary team in preparing high-quality food items, maintaining a clean and safe work environment, and learning the foundational skills needed to grow within the hospitality and culinary industry.

Requirements

• Ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift, carry, push, or pull items as needed.
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn.
• Flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, mornings, or evenings as needed.
• Professional appearance and positive attitude.

Nice To Haves

• Currently enrolled in, or recently completed, a culinary, hospitality, or related program preferred.
• Interest in pursuing a career in culinary arts, food service, or hospitality.
• Prior kitchen, restaurant, hotel, or food service experience is helpful but not required.
• Basic understanding of food safety and sanitation standards preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with basic food preparation, including washing, cutting, portioning, and organizing ingredients.
• Support cooks and kitchen team members during breakfast, lunch, dinner, banquets, and special events.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of workstations, walk-ins, prep areas, and kitchen equipment.
• Follow proper food handling, sanitation, safety, and hygiene standards at all times.
• Assist with receiving, storing, labelling, and rotating food products according to hotel standards.
• Learn basic cooking techniques, knife skills, recipe execution, and plating standards.
• Support the culinary team with setup, breakdown, and restocking of kitchen stations.
• Communicate effectively with kitchen leadership and team members.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and commitment to hospitality service.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the culinary leadership team.

Benefits

• Travel discounts at our hotels
• Competitive benefits
• Three pricing tiers of medical coverage
• Dental and Vision benefits to eligible full-time associates
• All associates accrue paid sick leave in accordance with the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.
• Paid time off plans may also be available to associates who qualify.
• The Retirement 401(k) Program is open to both full-time and part-time associates who qualify.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree