Top schools for recruiting restaurant and other food service interns and early career candidates

When you’re recruiting students for internships or recent grads for early career food service jobs, which are your favorite schools to recruit from and why? Here is what seven thought leaders have to say.

• Focus on Potential, Not Just Prestige
• Local University Graduates Excel
• Culinary Arts Schools Provide Strong Foundation
• Seek Multidisciplinary Culinary Programs
• Comprehensive Curricula Foster Industry Excellence
• Open to Passionate Food Enthusiasts
• Target Schools with Hands-On Experience

Focus on Potential, Not Just Prestige

When looking for interns or new talent in the food service industry, I focus on potential rather than experience. While some institutions have outstanding culinary programs, I’ve discovered that true skill may come from unexpected areas.

Take, for example, a candidate I once met who did not attend a prominent culinary school but had a fantastic sense of inventiveness. During our interview, they talked about how they experimented with fusion cuisine in their leisure time, combining ingredients from many cultures to create new dishes. Their passion and inventiveness were evident, and I knew they’d bring new ideas to our kitchen.

In contrast, I’ve met graduates from prestigious colleges who lacked practical experience and struggled to adapt to the fast-paced nature of the food service industry. Despite their outstanding academic credentials, they struggled to think quickly and deal with the demands of a busy restaurant.

Alex Ginovski, Head of Product and Engineering, Enhancv

Local University Graduates Excel

My firm has a strong focus on recruiting interns and recent graduates from local universities here in Melbourne, FL. We have found that these students are well-prepared and bring a fresh perspective to the field of food-service law.

One of our favorite schools to recruit from is the Florida Institute of Technology. Their hospitality management program is top-notch and produces graduates who have a deep understanding of the industry and its legal complexities. We have had great success with students from this program, and they have become valuable members of our team.

Andrew Pickett, Founder and Lead Trial Attorney, Andrew Pickett Law

Culinary Arts Schools Provide Strong Foundation

I go to organizations known for their culinary arts schools, including the Culinary Institute of America and Johnson & Wales University, when hiring interns or recent graduates for early-career food service employment. 

These institutions ensure that applicants have a strong foundation by providing thorough training that emphasizes both culinary arts and hotel management. Additionally, graduates from these prestigious schools frequently bring an appreciation of innovation and a commitment to quality, traits that are crucial in the food service sector.

Aqsa Tabassam, PR and Brand Manager, RevenueGeeks

Seek Multidisciplinary Culinary Programs

As the CEO of Ditto Transcripts, a leading provider of transcription services, including for the food industry, I’ve had great success recruiting from culinary schools like Johnson & Wales and the Culinary Institute of America. Their immersive, hands-on curricula produce graduates with a true passion for hospitality and strong fundamentals.

What impresses me most, however, are students from programs that emphasize a multidisciplinary approach blending culinary arts with business and technology—schools like Cornell’s Hotel School and Boston University’s Hospitality Administration program. The modern food service world requires much more than just cooking chops. Top talent needs an entrepreneurial mindset, financial acumen, and the ability to leverage tools like data analytics.

I look for intellectual curiosity that transcends the kitchen. Grads from these schools arrive with the diverse skill set to tackle food service’s dynamism and evolving consumer demands. With the right attitude and support, they can rapidly grow into versatile leaders driving innovation.

Ben Walker, Founder and CEO, Ditto Transcripts

Comprehensive Curricula Foster Industry Excellence

When recruiting students for internships or recent grads for early-career food service jobs, I prefer to source candidates from institutions renowned for their culinary arts or hospitality management programs, such as the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. These schools stand out because of their comprehensive curricula that not only cover culinary techniques and food service operations but also emphasize management skills, customer service excellence, and innovation in the food industry.

Students from these programs are typically well-prepared, having gained practical experience through kitchen labs, internships at top-tier restaurants, and real-world hospitality management training. Their ability to blend culinary skills with business acumen makes them highly effective in the fast-paced and ever-evolving food service sector.

Scott Distasio, Tampa Accident Injury Lawyer, Distasio Law Firm

Open to Passionate Food Enthusiasts

When it comes to recruiting interns or fresh talent for Carnivore Style, we’re all about finding the best fit for our meat-loving community. While we don’t have specific favorites, we do keep an eye out for schools that have strong programs in food science, culinary arts, or hospitality management. 

Places like the Culinary Institute of America, Johnson & Wales University, and Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration often produce graduates with a solid understanding of the industry and a passion for all things food-related. 

But honestly, we’re open to talent from all over! It’s not just about the school; it’s about the individual’s drive, creativity, and willingness to learn. So whether they’re from a big-name university or a smaller college, as long as they’ve got that fire in their belly for carnivorous cuisine, we’re interested.

Gabrielle Yap, Senior Editor, Carnivore Style

Target Schools with Hands-On Experience

When recruiting students for internships, or recent grads for early-career positions in the food service industry, it is important to focus on institutions that are not only reputable but also place a strong emphasis on practical, hands-on experience in their curricula. Some of my favorite schools, which I often target because of their specialized programs and industry connections, include:

Culinary Institute of America (CIA): One of the most prestigious institutions throughout the United States, it is the place where young, upcoming culinary professionals are recruited. The training focuses on culinary, baking, and pastry arts. Students from the CIA undergo intensive training in these areas. This allows students of the school, with its emphasis on gaining real experiences through on-campus restaurants and externships, to acquire real-world experiences, something that the food service industry values significantly.

Johnson & Wales University is among the top schools, offering culinary arts and food service management. The campus-based program provides a balanced view of experience in both culinary and managerial aspects of the food service field. Experiential education, internships, and placements combine to give students practical skills and a professional demeanor perfectly suited for immediate integration into the fast-paced working environment.

School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University: Though very much recognized for its program in hotel management, the school does offer hospitality management, including the area of food and beverage service; hence, the graduates are a fitting option for the food service industry. The core focus on how to grow into a leader and a competent manager under the program will empower one to eventually handle operational issues head-on.

Recruitment from these institutions is particularly effective because their programs are structured in ways that address the particular needs of the food service industry. The schools provide students not only with the technical skills required in the kitchen and food-serving operations but also with soft skills like customer service, teamwork, and leadership that are really critical in career growth in this field. And the students surely have very good professional networks; they are more inclined to start adding value to their new roles positively.

Alex Cornici, SEO Manager Awesome Hibachi