Hospitality & Catering Intern, CulinArt / Gainesville, VA

Compass Group USA; Gainesville (VA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Compass Group USA's CulinArt in Gainesville, VA is offering a Hospitality & Catering Intern role for Summer 2027 (May–August) at Heritage Hunt Golf & Country Club. This paid internship pays $20.00 per hour and requires current enrollment in a college/university pursuing a degree in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management.

Schedule is Full-time and to be discussed during interview. Interns will rotate through front-of-house and catering operations, gaining hands-on hospitality experience and

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in a college/university pursuing a degree in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management.

Responsibilities

• Rotate through front-of-house roles including café service and catering operations.
• Provide warm, professional service to guests across service settings.
• Support catering events including setup, station arrangement, and guest service.
• Assist with event branding and seasonal marketing activations.
• Learn best practices for catering and FOH standards, timing and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Hospitality basics

Customer service

Communication

Education

Currently enrolled in college pursuing a degree in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management

Job description

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Hospitality & Catering Intern, CulinArt / Gainesville, VA

We are hiring for a Hospitality & Catering Intern!

• Timing: SUMMER 2027 - May 2027 - August 2027
• Location: Heritage Hunt Golf & Country Club - 6901 Arthur Hills Drive, Gainesville, VA 20155
• Schedule: Full-time / to be discussed further upon interview.
• Requirement: Must be currently enrolled in a college/university pursuing a degree in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management.
  
• Pay Rate: $20.00 per hour.

Diversityof thought and inclusion for all is what drives our success - we invite you to start your journey with us today!

Founded in 1969, CulinArt manages more than 250 dining facilities for corporations, law and financial services firms, independent schools, colleges and universities, graduate schools, long-term care facilities and a variety of events & entertainment destinations across the country. Our mission is to be the industry leader in providing the highest quality dining service to our clients and guests while striving to provide maximum career opportunities for all of our team members. Our success lies in our ability not merely to adapt but to revitalize and transform our services continually, pioneering the cutting-edge and unconventional. CulinArt’s extremely diverse clientele, that includes many Fortune 500 businesses and esteemed educational institutions, affords great opportunities for career-advancing within the company across multiple industry segments and geographic regions.

CulinArt Internship Program – Catering & Hospitality

OVERVIEW: The CulinArt Internship Program is a paid opportunity designed for hospitality students seeking hands-on experience in a dynamic, event-rich service environment. Interns will work side-by-side with experienced hospitality mentors and gain a behind-the-scenes perspective into the world of catering, guest service, and food & beverage operations at a leading culinary and hospitality organization.

Hospitality & Catering Intern Responsibilities

• Rotate through front-of-house roles including café service, premium coffee stations, and catering operations.
• Provide consistently warm, professional, and personalized service to guests across various service settings
• Actively support catering events, including:
• Buffet and plated service setup
• Station arrangement and presentation
• Guest service throughout the event
• End-of-event breakdown and sanitation
• Assist with event branding and seasonal marketing activations:
• Signage and visual design
• Theming and decorations for holidays and special occasions
• Uphold exceptional guest experience standards, delivering elevated hospitality that reflects pride and professionalism
• Learn and apply best practices for catering and FOH standards, including timing, aesthetics, and customer satisfaction
• Ensure full compliance with company policies, food safety procedures, and client expectations
• Collaborate with peers and managers on real-world hospitality goals and contribute to high-profile service experiences

Expanded Learning Opportunities

• Beverage Education: Interns will gain foundational knowledge of liquor, wine, and beer, including responsible service practices, beverage pairing basics, and inventory awareness—essential skills for any food and beverage professional.
• Event Sales Exposure: Learn the fundamentals of event sales, from client consultations and proposal development to upselling strategies and closing techniques. Interns will shadow experienced sales professionals and contribute to real-time event planning and execution.

Interns will leave the program with enhanced skills in event coordination, guest relations, and catering logistics, setting them up for future success in the hospitality industry.

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

• Applicants must be currently enrolled in a college or professional hospitality program and/or have 1 year of industry experience
• Meet university’s GPA requirement for Internship
• Successful completion of relevant Intro to Hospitality 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.

In addition to getting daily hands-on experience, Interns have the opportunity to participate in a variety of value-added program events via LMS/WebEx/Zoom/Teams during the internship experience which include:

• Meetings with CulinArtleadership/a mentor
• Connection to subject matter experts including the diversity & inclusion, HR, marketing, safety & sanitation, wellness & sustainability and finance teams via Office Hours.
• OptionalLearning & Development Courses (FARECheck Food Allergy Basics, Servsafe Food Handler, DAWSO Dining Associate Workplace Safety Orientation)
• Networking opportunities with other interns
• Exit interview with your internship team

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.

CulinArt maintains a drug-free workplace.