Culinary Externship

Hei Hotels Inc.; Fairfield (CT); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Dental

Vision insurance

Paid time off (Vacation/Sick/Holidays)

401(k) with company match

DailyPay access

Job summary

HEI Hotels and Resorts is offering a Culinary Externship designed for students from The Culinary Institute of America to gain hands-on experience in a busy hotel kitchen, working alongside the culinary team to prepare high-quality food according to brand standards.

The program emphasizes mise en place, sanitation, knife skills, inventory, and learning from line cooks and chefs during service, with opportunities to participate in tastings and meetings.

Qualifications

• Current student enrolled at The Culinary Institute of America (externship required for graduation).
• Prior kitchen experience preferred but not required.
• Basic understanding of culinary fundamentals and sanitation practices.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Effective verbal communication and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Prepare food items according to standardized recipes, production methods, and presentation standards.
• Assist in daily mise en place, including prepping vegetables, proteins, sauces, and garnishes.
• Maintain proper food handling, sanitation, and safety procedures per local health regulations.
• Label, date, and rotate food products (FIFO).
• Support line cooks and chefs during service to ensure timely plates.
• Learn knife skills, butchery fundamentals, sauces, and station organization.
• Assist with inventory management and portion control.
• Operate and maintain kitchen equipment (ovens, ranges, grills, fryers, mixers, slicers, processors).
• Maintain a clean, organized workstation at all times.
• Participate in menu tastings and culinary meetings.
• Perform additional culinary duties to support learning objectives.

Skills

CIA externship student

Culinary fundamentals

Sanitation practices

Team player

Attention to detail

Education

The Culinary Institute of America

Job description

About Us HEI manages an unparalleled portfolio of leading full-service branded hotels and luxury and lifestyle independent hotels across the U.S. We are the acknowledged experts on upper-upscale, luxury, and premium select-serve hotels in urban, super-suburban, and destination locations. At HEI, we recognize that our enormous success is solely the result of our greatest asset: Our People. Where people work is a choice. Against that choice, our greatest obligation is to ensure day in and day out that our associates have the compensation and benefits they deserve and industry leading tools, training and support that they need to excel. At HEI, simply said, we honor the privilege of our associates choosing us by investing in and making them more valuable.

Don't meet every single requirement of this job? At HEI we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still send in your information. You may be the perfect candidate for this or for other roles within our organization! We value U.S. military experience and invite all qualified military candidates to apply.

Compensation Salary Range: $15.00 - $25.00 Hourly Tipped/Service Charge Eligible? No Discretionary Performance Bonus Eligible? No

Job Description Summary

The Culinary Extern will gain hands‑on experience in a professional hotel kitchen environment while supporting the culinary team in preparing high‑quality food in accordance with brand standards. This externship is designed to provide practical learning aligned with Culinary Institute of America academic requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare food items according to standardized recipes, production methods, and presentation standards.
• Assist in daily mise en place, including prepping vegetables, proteins, sauces, and garnishes.
• Maintain proper food handling, sanitation, and safety procedures in accordance with local health regulations and company standards.
• Label, date, and rotate food products following FIFO (First In, First Out) procedures.
• Support line cooks and chefs during service periods to ensure timely and consistent plate execution.
• Learn proper knife skills, butchery fundamentals, sauce preparation, and station organization.
• Assist with inventory management, portion control, and minimizing food waste.
• Properly operate and maintain kitchen equipment including ovens, ranges, grills, fryers, mixers, slicers, and food processors.
• Maintain a clean and organized workstation throughout each shift.
• Participate in menu tastings, culinary meetings, and feedback sessions when applicable.
• Perform additional culinary‑related duties as assigned to support learning objectives.

Qualifications and Skills

• Current student enrolled at The Culinary Institute of America (externship required for graduation).
• Prior kitchen experience preferred but not required.
• Basic understanding of culinary fundamentals and sanitation practices.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs. with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Finger and hand dexterity to safely operate kitchen tools and equipment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Effective verbal communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team‑oriented environment.
• Willingness to learn, accept feedback, and adapt in a fast‑paced setting.

Benefits

HEI Hotels and Resorts is committed to providing a comprehensive benefit program that offers you choices for your physical, mental and financial wellness, creating value in your most important investment - you! For your physical and mental wellness we offer competitive Medical and Dental programs through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield as well as Vision insurance programs through EyeMed. Our Vacation, Sick and Holiday programs are available for you to rejuvenate with time off. HEI also provides pet insurance through the ASPCA. For your financial wellness, HEI provides a wide array of coverage, including Supplemental, Spousal and Child Life insurance as well as Short and Long-Term Disability plans. Our 401(k) Savings Plan with matching funds, and discounts through our 'YouDecide' and Hotel Room Discount programs provide additional incentives for choosing HEI as the employer of your future. Specific details and eligibility of these programs vary by location and employment status.

• Medical and Dental programs through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Vision insurance programs through EyeMed
• Vacation, Sick and Holiday programs
• Pet insurance through the ASPCA
• Supplemental, Spousal and Child Life insurance
• Short and Long-Term Disability plans
• 401(k) Savings Plan with matching funds
• Discounts through our 'YouDecide' and Hotel Room Discount programs

HEI Hotels and Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Welcome to HEI Hotels and Resorts' Career Page. We invite you to explore the current job openings that our company has to offer and to apply for any positions that are of interest to you. Don't see any current openings that align with your interests? Join our talent community to stay in touch with HEI and receive job alerts for opportunities that may be a match for you. Recognizing that our success starts and ends with our associates under our pioneering culture of HEI Loves, we invest in and develop the most passionate and talented people in our industry. We show our "love" to our associates by providing market‑leading compensation packages, generous PTO and flex‑time initiatives, outstanding career development and advancement opportunities, and job‑appropriate assets and resources. We’re always looking for associates who share our passion for hospitality. With a variety of world‑class brands in our portfolio, hotel locations throughout the United States, and an unparalleled suite of tools, technology, and training, we’re able to provide our associates with a truly unique opportunity to grow and build their future. Find the career that aligns with your goals by beginning your online search today. Work today, get paid today! We proudly partner with DailyPay, a voluntary benefit that allows our associates access to their earnings when they want them.