Culinary Internship Summer 2026

Southernhospitalityinternshipprogram; Tennessee; On-site; USD 20,664 - 27,552; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Course credit opportunity

Leadership development classes

Weekly intern meetings

Job summary

A culinary internship program in Tennessee is seeking an intern to support kitchen operations within a high-paced environment. Responsibilities include working as a dishwasher, receiving clerk, prep cook, and line cook, alongside managing inventories and participating in leadership development activities. Applicants must be enrolled in a college program and willing to learn various kitchen functions. This role offers valuable hands-on experience in a renowned theme park.

Qualifications

• Must be willing to support kitchen operations including various cooking and prep tasks.
• Ability to manage food inventories and understand safety procedures.
• Experience with menu creation and quality assurance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support kitchen operations including dishwasher, receiving clerk, and line cook.
• Manage inventory and maintain cleanliness in work areas.
• Assist in cost analysis and menu planning to improve profit contributions.

Skills

Food preparation skills

Quality assurance

Cost analysis

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Enrollment in college/university program

Job description

The intern will support the kitchen operations through dishwasher, receiving clerk, prep cook, line cook, banquets production and ingredient inventory management and administrative duties within Dollywood Theme Park. In turn, intern will satisfactorily complete individual program requirements to satisfy college/university credit and/or course study requirements if needed. The Dollywood Company will provide the intern:

• The opportunity to complete course credit for the term of the internship
• Practical experience within a fast paced and ever changing work environment
• Opportunity to apply theory with practice
• Attend Leadership Development classes as available.
• Attend weekly intern meetings to discuss jobs of the week and learn about the different functions of a theme park.
• Train and work in below sections of internship:
  • Dishwasher - To participate in all activities, including food preparation, merchandise handling, ware washing, and cleanliness and sanitation procedures.
  • Receiving Clerk - Manage the loading dock. Responsible for maintaining a clean and safe work environment. Checking in orders, putting up food and non-food inventories. Coding invoices according to standardized accounting process.
  • Prep Cook - To participate in all activities, including food preparation, merchandise handling, ware washing, and cleanliness and sanitation procedures
  • Line Cook - To participate in all activities, including food preparation, merchandise handling, ware washing, and cleanliness and sanitation procedures
  • Baker - To participate in all activities, including food preparation, merchandise handling, ware washing, and cleanliness and sanitation procedures.
• Act as quality assurance inspector for food, ensuring a high quality.
• Responsible for the implementation and possible creation of “Plate Perfect” recipes.
• Know, understand, & enforce the use of the “Start Fresh” program when necessary.
• Be available/willing to work at different locations throughout The Dollywood Company.
• Responsible for all aspects of the P&L including but not limited to labor management (scheduling, time keeping, etc.), Cost Analysis to include Cost of Sales, product mix, and Spending Per Person
• Assisting with creating and implementing improvements profit contribution and cost savings through menu creation.
• Execute special project benefiting the Foods area as determined by Management.