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The culinary industry is one of those rare professional fields that truly brings the world together. People can learn about other cultures through ingredients and flavors. Of course, for an aspiring culinary professional—whether that means chef, pastry chef, nutritionist, food writer, restaurant manager, or food stylist—simply tasting dishes isn’t enough, the best way to experience food from around the world is to visit the places where certain foods find their heritage. To accomplish this and advance your career in culinary arts, we recommend an AIFS Abroad culinary internship. Not only will it expose you to various culinary traditions, but it will also help you broaden your career horizons and improve your cross-cultural communication skills in an industry known for its diversity.
While you develop your career abroad in the culinary arts, you can dive into new cultures and travel to nearby countries, allowing you to further expand your professional horizons. Here at AIFS Abroad, we offer incredible internships in cities around the globe, so we’ve curated a list of the top five destinations for international culinary internships.
Want to lay the groundwork for a successful career in culinary arts? Explore AIFS Abroad’s top 5 global cities for culinary internships!
1. Florence
Italian cuisine is famous in every corner of the world, and its staples go far beyond spaghetti and pizza. Within Italy, culinary traditions can greatly differ, with each region and city home to unique traditions. Florence is known for its simple dishes served with local produce, mellow cheeses, and quality meat. With a culinary internship in this Tuscan city, you can learn how to properly prepare traditional Tuscan and Florentine dishes, along with other Italian foods. Florence has a rich culinary heritage that goes back millennia, and while the city keeps these local traditions alive, you can also find foods from across the world in this beautiful and historic Italian city, allowing you to expand your culinary portfolio. Plus, a culinary internship in Italy is sure to impress future employers!
When you’re not at your culinary internship, you can do some extracurricular “research”—find the best gelato spots, seek out the most delicious espresso, or search for your favorite Florentine dishes like Bistecca alla Fiorentina. In addition, you’ll find that Florence is much more than a hub for the culinary arts—as the birthplace of the Renaissance, the city is home to world-famous architecture, sculpture, and paintings, just waiting for you to discover!
2. Dublin
Dublin is a metropolitan English-speaking city where you can find traditional Irish cuisine alongside food from all around the world. It’s a city known for its growing culinary scene and large number of high-quality restaurants, attracting some of the top chefs from around the globe. Culinary interns will have professional opportunities at small, mid-sized, and boutique restaurants . No matter where you want to take your culinary career in the future, Dublin is an excellent place to start!
Not only will you benefit from Dublin’s opportunities for professional growth as a culinary intern, but you’ll also be immersed in the city’s unique culture and deep-rooted history with access to the rest of Ireland and beyond. Whether you want to make the short journey to other European countries, visit the idyllic Irish countryside, or discover every neighborhood in the city—in Dublin, you’ll never run out of activities or experiences to enjoy.
3. San José
Located in the center of Costa Rica and the heart of Central America, San José is an incredible option for aspiring culinary professionals interested in learning more about Hispanic cuisine in a modern setting. While Mexican food generally gets the most attention south of the border, Costa Rican—and Central American food in general—offer tons of exciting traditions that can help you expand your culinary skills. Costa Rica is best known for its gallo pinto, but its national menu extends far beyond this dish, often involving an assortment of local produce prepared alongside fish or meat. Positioned in the international city of San José, you can learn how to prepare and cook delicious local dishes, in addition to meals from around the world.
Plus, thanks to the city’s central location in Costa Rica, you’ll have easy access to the rest of the country. You can explore the country’s national parks known for their lush rainforests and bountiful wildlife, hike up the Irazú or Poás volcanoes, and relax at the beach by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans!
4. Milan
Located near the Alps in Italy’s northern Lombardy region, Milan offers distinctive Italian dishes in a metropolitan environment. Milan is situated in the fertile Po Valley, known for its large rice production that spans hundreds of years. Therefore, unlike other Italian regions, rice is a staple of Milanese cuisine, inspiring mouth-watering dishes like Risotto alla Milanese. Milan is also set near France, Switzerland, and Austria, all of which have greatly influenced its traditions; for example, thanks to the French influence, Milanese food often features lots of butter! You can also find high quality restaurants of every kind, offering a wide range of options for aspiring culinary professionals. With a culinary internship in this city, you can study some of Italy’s lesser-known food traditions, while still having access to the benefits that come with interning in an international destination. Here, you can grow your network in a city packed with highly regarded restaurants and populated with skilled chefs who are eager to pass on their culinary traditions.
In addition to being a great opportunity for your culinary career, Milan also offers a high quality of life. The city has excellent public transportation, making it easy to explore each neighborhood, appreciate the ancient and contemporary architecture, and visit its many museums. Also, due to its northern position, you can spend weekends and holidays traveling to France, Switzerland, Austria, and beyond!
5. New York City
New York City is often referred to as a cultural melting pot due to its large immigrant populations. So, if you’re a culinary intern who wants to explore a wide variety of cultural influences and learn about innovative culinary techniques, New York City is an excellent choice. This city is also famous for its large number of well-known restaurants, from Michelin Star French bistros to hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurants. Opportunities of every kind await in the city—whether you want to be a chef, nutritionist, food stylist, food writer, or restaurant manager, New York City has something for you.
When you’re not studying the many flavors of New York City, you can explore the five boroughs via subway, stroll through Central Park, or find the perfect café to read or study new recipes. In New York City, you’ll find that the number of available activities is as broad as your culinary career horizons—there’s no end of things to do or sights to see!
Looking to spice up your resume with an international culinary internship? Connect with new cultures and develop your career simultaneously with AIFS Abroad!
An international culinary internship is an incredible way to gain hands-on experience while immersing yourself in diverse cultures across the globe. AIFS Abroad provides unparalleled opportunities for aspiring culinary professionals in some of the world’s most exciting cities for food and restaurant management. With inclusions such as housing, insurance, career readiness programming, excursions and activities, on-site staff, and emergency support, you’ll have a stress-free global education and professional development experience. Don’t miss the opportunity to stand out in the competitive culinary world with an internship abroad!