Culinary Science Intern

Folia Materials; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

A food packaging innovation company is seeking Culinary Science Interns for Summer and Fall 2026. This paid internship involves testing frozen foods with 100% paper microwave packaging, conducting culinary work, and performing sensory evaluations to improve food experience. Ideal candidates are students in culinary sciences or recent graduates with creativity and analytical skills. The position requires onsite work in Waltham, providing hands-on experience in food testing and product development.

Qualifications

• Must be a student or recent graduate in culinary science, food science, or related field.
• Creative, dynamic, and methodical approach to food testing.
• Experience with frozen or processed foods is a plus.
• Bonus: experience with frozen or processed foods, product development, or sensory analysis.
• Must be located in the Boston metro area and able to work onsite in Waltham.

Responsibilities

• Screen frozen food products for microwave packaging compatibility.
• Conduct culinary work and temperature testing.
• Perform sensory evaluations to assess food improvements.
• Develop product demos for presentations.
• Collect data using testing equipment.
• Document procedures and results.

Skills

Culinary skills

Analytical skills

Sensory evaluation

Documentation

Education

Student or recent graduate in culinary science

Professional chef experience

Food science + culinary arts

Professional chef experience

Tools

Testing equipment

Job description

About Folia Materials

Folia Materials has created the world’s first 100% paper microwave food susceptor using our patented plant-based coating. Our packaging improves food quality by evenly distributing microwave energy during cooking while soaking up grease, oil, and water, delighting consumers with better-textured meals. Brands trust Folia to elevate the frozen and microwavable foods experience.

The Role

Folia Materials is looking for creative, detail-oriented Culinary Science Interns - one for Summer 2026 and one for the Fall 2026 semester - to help test frozen foods with our world-first 100% paper microwave food packaging. You’ll run rapid food tests, create product demos, and document sensory improvements. This is a paid position.

Key Responsibilities

• Screen frozen food products to identify best candidates for Folia’s microwave packaging
• Conduct culinary work and temperature testing related to microwave food performance
• Perform sensory evaluations to assess taste, texture, and quality improvements
• Develop product demos for internal use and client presentations
• Collect quantitative and qualitative data using lab and food testing equipment
• Document testing procedures and results in an organized manner

Qualifications

• Student or recent graduate in culinary science, culinology, food science + culinary arts, or professional chef experience
• Creative, dynamic, and methodical
• Comfortable with repetitive testing and documentation
• Bonus: experience with frozen or processed foods, product development, or sensory analysis.
• Must be located in the Boston metro area and able to work onsite in Waltham.

What You’ll Learn

• Hands-on experience in culinary science and food testing
• How innovative packaging impacts food quality
• Sensory and physical measurement techniques to quantify food and packaging performance