Newport Beach Culinary Intern

SusieCakes Bakery; Newport Beach (CA); On-site; USD 17,047 - 24,280; Full time

Job summary

SusieCakes Bakery in Newport Beach offers an internship focused on culinary operations. This role enables students to learn about baking, team motivation, and guest service standards. Interns will assist in the kitchen, learn operations, and develop leadership skills.

The ideal candidate has a year of culinary experience focusing on baking, is open to feedback, and possesses a willingness to learn. Join our supportive environment dedicated to growth and quality.

Qualifications

• Experience in restaurant or pastry baking is essential.
• Basic understanding of kitchen operations and cooking techniques.
• Open to feedback and willing to learn new skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in reviewing production schedules with managers.
• Participate in inventory tracking and quality control.
• Learn guest service processes and maintain service standards.

Skills

Restaurant experience

Basic kitchen operations

Effective communication

Ability to lift 50 lbs

Willingness to learn

Education

One year of culinary education focused on baking

Job description

At SusieCakes, we make old‑fashioned, sentimental dessert favorites – just like you may remember from your childhood! Our bakeries are filled with the delicious tastes and sweet smells of cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pies, and bars all baked from scratch, on‑site daily, using the freshest and finest ingredients. Our signature Celebration Cake is a birthday staple on tens of thousands of tables. Our bakeries mix the nostalgia of the past with the warmth and feel of a modern, neighborhood bakery. “Connecting through Celebration” is our purpose and what we strive for every day with our team members, our guests, and our community.

We’re proud to promote from within, which is why we offer a limited number of internships for students interested in hospitality careers. As a luxury lifestyle brand, we focus on team development, leadership growth, and a positive work environment. If you’re passionate about learning, leading, and being part of a supportive team, come join the celebration!

Description of Duties

Responsibilities

Operations

• Review production schedule with the General Manager, Head Baker or Production Manager.
• Learn quality standards pertaining to SOPs and how recipes are followed.
• Participate in a purchase order, inventory count, and waste tracking with follow up procedures.
• Learn each shift in the Kitchen including Bake, CC1, Open and cakes.
• Shadow the Culinary MOD on closing numbers, and learn daily leadership responsibilities.
• Learn the guest service journey and how we greet, welcome, and connect with our guests by maintaining service quality standards, handling guest orders and transactions.

People

• Connect with General Manager/Head Baker to learn how we develop, motivate, and coach our team members to instill a positive working environment.

Financial

• Learn how to calculate COGS and evaluate how the store has performed to company standards.
• Work with General Manager/Market Leader to learn more about labor, cost of goods, sales, labor and other operating expenses.

Facility/Safety

• Perform daily / weekly cleaning tasks and daily walkthroughs with the team.
• Learn how to manage bakery maintenance.

Leadership Skills to Learn

• Live and model the mission, values, and goals.
• Possesses and demonstrates a “One team, One goal” philosophy.
• Leads by example and demonstrates the standards of being a good team member.
• Work in an organized, deliberate, and fast‑paced manner.
• Possess a small business owner mentality and thrives in an entrepreneurial environment.
• Remain calm and objective and present fact‑based case during emotional discussions.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• One year of experience in restaurant, pastry or culinary education with a baking focus.
• Basic Kitchen operations experience.
• Willingness to learn and openness to feedback.

Language Skills

• Must be able to read and understand recipes that use different measuring systems.
• Must be able to communicate with different shifts to ensure FIFO and inventories.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with guests and team members.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to work long periods of time standing.
• Must be able to taste product for quality assurance i.e buttercream(s), cake(s) and cupcake(s) batter, cookie dough and other recipes as assigned.