Culinary Intern, Wolfgang Puck Catering / Pleasanton, CA

Compass Group USA; Pleasanton (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Wolfgang Puck Catering in Pleasanton, CA is offering a Culinary Internship for aspiring chefs. This full-time role provides hands-on experience in daily culinary operations, food preparation, and kitchen organization under professional chefs in a fast-paced, real-world setting.

You must be enrolled in a college or university with a focus in Culinary Arts, be available 20–40 hours per week, and complete sanitation and knife skills coursework as applicable.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a college or university pursuing a degree in Culinary Arts.
• Successful completion of sanitation standards training.
• Successful completion of relevant knife skills and/or Intro to Culinary coursework.
• Must be available to work 20 - 40 hours a week based on business needs & internship requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support daily culinary operations including food preparation, service, and kitchen organization.
• Execute menu items following standardized recipes and presentation guidelines.
• Uphold food safety, sanitation, and uniform standards.
• Assist with receiving, storage, inventory, and purchasing.
• Contribute to guest service excellence, innovation, and problem-solving.
• Assist with catering and special events, from preparation and set up to execution.
• Operate kitchen equipment safely and efficiently.
• Participate in associate learning and development activities.
• Gain exposure to the business side of food service, including financials and quality assurance.

Education

Currently enrolled in a college or university pursuing a degree in Culinary Arts

Job description

Culinary Intern, Wolfgang Puck Catering / Pleasanton, CA

We are hiring a Culinary Intern!

• Timing:
  • SPRING 2027 -January 2027 - April 2027
  • SUMMER 2027 -May 2027 - August 2027
  • FALL 2027 -September 2027 - December 2027
• Location: Workday - 6110 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588
• Schedule: Full-time / to be discussed further upon interview.
• Requirements: Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in Culinary Arts.
• Pay Rate:$18.00 per hour.

Where Passion Meets Purpose - and Careers Come Alive

At Wolfgang Puck Catering, great careers are crafted the same way great food is — with passion, intention, and the right people around you. We hire for curiosity, spirit, and heart, and we invest in everything you bring to the table. Through mentorship, real development, and a clear path to leadership, we're committed to your journey — not just your job title. Come be part of something that challenges and champions you in equal measure.

"I can have the best food, but if we don't have good people, it won't get you very far." — Wolfgang Puck

Success on our team starts with our culture:

• We have Wolfgang’s PASSION for our business, our product, and our people / guests / clients.
• A FLEXIBLE MINDSET is key; we are strategic business partners who wear multiple hats.
• Our services require a CONCIERGE mentality, a bias to action with humble hospitality.
• We are out-of-the-box PROBLEM SOLVERS, who look around corners so our clients and guests don’t have to.
• We curate company and partner resources to bring our client’s vision to life. We seek to cultivate the next generation of talent, purveyors and partnerships.
• We bring an entrepreneurial approach to deliver results for our clients (you might call this scrappy).
• Collaboration and openness to innovative business tools, new ways of thinking and ability to partner across departments are essential to create optimal business solutions.

“I can have the best food, but if we don’t have good people, it won’t get you very far.”

Are you passionate about food and ready to take the next step toward a career in the culinary or hospitality industry? Join our Culinary Internship program and gain hands‑on experience working alongside professional chefs and food service leaders in a fast‑paced, real‑world environment. As a Culinary Intern, you’ll be immersed in the day‑to‑day operations of contract food service, developing practical skills and industry insight that will set the stage for your future success.

Wolfgang Puck has spent decades revolutionizing the dining and events landscape with one singular focus: exceeding expectations every time guests gather for a meal. Austrian-born Chef Wolfgang Puck founded Wolfgang Puck Catering in 1998, bringing best‑in‑class catering and event dining to spaces of every kind. Today, our team continues to set the standard for culinary excellence, carrying forward Wolfgang's legendary combination of innovative cuisine and refined service to the world's most renowned corporate, cultural, and entertainment clients. The hospitality services we provide are through social events, weddings, corporate events, workplaces, and private cheffing.

What You’ll Learn & Do:

• Support daily culinary operations including food preparation, service, and kitchen organization
• Execute menu items following standardized recipes and presentation guidelines
• Uphold food safety, sanitation, and uniform standards
• Assist with receiving, storage, inventory, and purchasing
• Contribute to guest service excellence, innovation, and problem‑solving
• Assist with catering and special events, from preparation and set up to execution.
• Operate kitchen equipment safely and efficiently
• Participate in associate learning and development activities
• Gain exposure to the business side of food service, including financials and quality assurance

Learning Objectives:

• Develop awareness, understanding, and practical skills to work effectively in diverse, inclusive hospitality environments
• Gain hands‑on experience across a variety of functions within culinary arts and food service operations through observation, mentorship, and active participation

Internship candidates must meet the criteria below to be eligible for the Culinary Internship Experience Program:

• Applicants must be currently enrolled in a college or professional culinary program
• Meet university’s GPA requirement for internship
• Successful completion of sanitation standards training
• Successful completion of relevant knife skills and/or Intro to Culinary coursework
• Must be available to work 20 - 40 hours a week based on business needs & internship requirements
• College credit is not required, but we will provide appropriate documentation if necessary.

Ideal Candidates Will Have an Interest in One or More of the Following:

• Culinary, Baking, or Pastry Arts
• Farm‑to‑Fork practices and sustainability in food service
• Reducing the carbon “foodprint”
• Food safety and quality assurance

This is more than an internship, it’s an opportunity to launch your culinary career with real‑world experience and meaningful mentorship.

About Compass Group: Achieving leadership in the foodservice industry

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation.Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Wolfgang Puck Catering maintains a drug‑free workplace.