Culinary Innovation Intern

Nestlé; Vaud; On-site; CHF 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Learning & development

Healthcare contribution

Employee discounts

Job summary

Nestlé Research’s Institute of Food Science is offering a Culinary Innovation Intern position in Vers-chez-les-Blanc, Switzerland. This six-month internship provides hands-on experience in developing new food concepts by blending culinary creativity with scientific insight.

You will collaborate with scientific teams, prepare prototypes for internal events, and contribute fresh ideas while gaining mentorship to kick-start your career.

Qualifications

• Culinary student or recent graduate with interest in research-driven product ideas.
• Prior exposure to food innovation or product development is an asset.
• Proactive, curious, and open to innovation; able to generate ideas and turn them into concepts.
• Resilient, flexible, collaborative; able to develop products as ideas evolve.
• English fluent; French is an asset.
• Courage, collaboration, speed and continuous learning.

Responsibilities

• Create innovative food concepts and prototypes translating scientific ideas into engaging culinary experiences.
• Collaborate with scientific teams to shape product development opportunities.
• Prepare culinary prototypes and demonstrations for internal events and tastings.
• Contribute ideas and practical solutions while learning innovation in a scientific environment.
• Present concepts clearly to different audiences and project needs.

Skills

Culinary arts

Team collaboration

English fluency

French asset

Education

Culinary student or fresh graduate

Tools

Prototyping tools

Job description

Location: Vers-chez-les-Blanc, Switzerland

Work model: On site

Contract type / duration: Internship – 6 months

Target start date: February 2027

Be a force for good and transform your potential into something extraordinary. As a Culinary Innovation Intern at Nestlé Research’s Institute of Food Science, your mission is to help imagine, develop and bring to life new food concepts that connect culinary creativity with scientific insight. You will make a difference by collaborating closely with scientific teams and food innovation specialists to create prototypes, support internal events and explore novel ingredients & processes. This is your opportunity to make an impact while gaining hands on experience and mentorship to kick-start your career.

How you’ll make an impact as a Culinary Innovation Intern

• Creating innovative food concepts and prototypes that translate scientific ideas into engaging culinary experiences.
• Collaborating with scientific teams to explore how research can shape meaningful product development opportunities.
• Preparing culinary prototypes and product demonstrations for internal events, tastings and innovation discussions.
• Contributing fresh ideas and practical solutions while learning how innovation is developed in a scientific environment.
• Presenting your concepts with clarity and confidence, adapting your message to different audiences and project needs.

What Will Make You Successful

• Being a current student or fresh graduate in culinary arts, with a strong interest in how research supports new product ideas.
• Prior exposure to food innovation or product development is an asset.
• Being proactive, curious and open to innovation, with the ability to generate ideas and turn them into tangible concepts.
• Having resilience, flexibility, agility and patience to develop products in a collaborative environment where ideas evolve over time.
• Communicating fluently in English; French is an asset.
• Demonstrating courage, collaboration, speed and continuous learning.

At Nestlé Research, we place people at the heart of everything we do.

Our benefits are designed to support your growth and wellbeing, so you can thrive at work and in life:

• Flexible working options, including hybrid work possibilities (for office-based roles)
• Learning and development opportunities to grow your career
• Healthcare contribution and access to the Employee Assistance Program
• Attractive employee discounts across various products and services

What To Expect From Our Hiring Process

We are committed to an inclusive and respectful hiring experience and are happy to provide reasonable accommodations if needed. Our workplaces are fully accessible and supported by a strong safety culture, with modern installations and procedures to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

The hiring process typically includes a video interview with Talent Acquisition, an interview with the hiring team, and a final discussion and offer. We review applications as they are received and close the role once a strong list of relevant candidates is identified, so we encourage you to apply early. All information is treated confidentially.

Ready to start your career journey with us?

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