ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Culinary Intern Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Sodexo

Campus Marketing Intern

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$12/hr

As a Campus Marketing Intern at Sodexo, you will perform and train in various responsibilities under their career concentration, such as food service, culinary, facilities management, accounting ...

Sodexo

Campus Marketing Intern

Storm Lake, IA · On-site

$10 - $12/hr

As a Campus Marketing Intern at Sodexo, you will perform and train in various responsibilities under their career concentration, such as food service, culinary, facilities management, accounting ...

Sodexo

Campus Marketing Intern

Storm Lake, IA · On-site

$10 - $12/hr

As a Campus Marketing Intern at Sodexo, you will perform and train in various responsibilities under their career concentration, such as food service, culinary, facilities management, accounting ...

Sodexo

Campus Marketing Intern

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$12/hr

As a Campus Marketing Intern at Sodexo, you will perform and train in various responsibilities under their career concentration, such as food service, culinary, facilities management, accounting ...

Sodexo

Campus Marketing Intern

Storm Lake, IA · On-site

$10 - $12/hr

As a Campus Marketing Intern at Sodexo, you will perform and train in various responsibilities under their career concentration, such as food service, culinary, facilities management, accounting ...

Sodexo

Campus Marketing Intern

Storm Lake, IA · On-site

$10 - $12/hr

As a Campus Marketing Intern at Sodexo, you will perform and train in various responsibilities under their career concentration, such as food service, culinary, facilities management, accounting ...

Sodexo

Campus Marketing Intern

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$12/hr

As a Campus Marketing Intern at Sodexo, you will perform and train in various responsibilities under their career concentration, such as food service, culinary, facilities management, accounting ...

Sodexo

Campus Marketing Intern

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$12/hr

As a Campus Marketing Intern at Sodexo, you will perform and train in various responsibilities under their career concentration, such as food service, culinary, facilities management, accounting ...

All JobsCulinary Intern JobsCulinary Intern Jobs in Iowa

Culinary Intern information

See Iowa salary details

$6

$13

$20

How much do culinary intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary intern in Iowa is $13.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.15 and $14.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a culinary intern?

Culinary interns are individuals, often students or recent graduates, who work temporarily in kitchens or food service establishments to gain hands-on experience in the culinary field. They assist chefs and kitchen staff with food preparation, cooking, plating, and kitchen organization while learning industry standards and techniques. The internship provides practical training that complements their formal education and helps them build professional skills necessary for a career in the culinary arts.

What does a culinary intern do?

As a Culinary Intern, you can expect to assist with food preparation, plating, and station setup under the supervision of experienced chefs. Daily responsibilities often include measuring ingredients, prepping produce, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and occasionally participating in menu planning or special events. Interns frequently rotate through different kitchen stations to gain hands-on experience with various cuisines and cooking techniques. Collaboration with kitchen staff is essential, as you’ll learn through observation, teamwork, and direct feedback. This role offers valuable exposure to the fast-paced environment of a professional kitchen and helps build foundational skills for a career in the culinary arts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a culinary intern?

To thrive as a Culinary Intern, you need basic culinary knowledge, knife skills, and a food handler's certification or equivalent culinary coursework. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food safety protocols, and recipe management systems is typically expected. Attention to detail, strong work ethic, willingness to learn, and teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure you can contribute to kitchen operations effectively, maintain safety and quality standards, and grow professionally in a fast-paced culinary environment.

What is the difference between Culinary Intern vs Line Cook?

AspectCulinary InternLine Cook
CredentialsOften enrolled in culinary programs or recent graduatesExperience in kitchens, culinary training preferred
Work EnvironmentLearning-focused, supervised, entry-levelFast-paced, operational kitchen setting
Employer UsageHotels, restaurants, culinary schoolsRestaurants, hotels, catering services
Search IntentEntry-level culinary training, internshipsKitchen work, cooking positions

The main difference is that a Culinary Intern is typically a student or recent graduate gaining hands-on experience under supervision, while a Line Cook is an experienced kitchen professional responsible for preparing dishes in a busy restaurant environment.

Does Chick-fil-A have a culinary intern program?

Chick-fil-A offers internship programs that may include culinary or hospitality-related roles, providing hands-on experience in food preparation, customer service, and restaurant operations. These internships typically require a focus on teamwork, communication skills, and a willingness to learn about the food service industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Culinary jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Culinary Intern jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Culinary Intern job openings:

Culinary Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Intern job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, and 29% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $27,320 per year, or $13.1 per hour.

FOOD APPLICATION SCIENCE INTERN

Muscatine, IA • On-site

Grain Processing Corporation
Food Services and Drinking Places • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Grain Processing Corporationexternal

$14 - $18/hr

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

Turn your passion for food science into real-world innovation. Join Grain Processing Corporation (GPC), a 6-time U.S. Best Managed Company and proud KENT WORLDWIDE™ family company, as a Food Applications Science Intern for the 2027 summer and gain hands-on experience developing products that impact the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries. Based in Muscatine, Iowa, this paid internship offers the opportunity to work alongside experienced scientists in our Technical Solutions center, contribute to meaningful projects, and see how innovative ingredient solutions come to life. With company-provided housing or a gas stipend, collaborative team experiences, and valuable industry exposure, this is more than an internship, it's a launchpad for your future career.
  • This position is designed and intended to be performed in Muscatine, Iowa.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Gain hands-on experience with GPC ingredients and their applications across food, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries
  • Support and assist Application Scientists in developing formulations and technical documentation for a wide range of product applications and industries
  • Incorporate feedback to refine product prototypes as part of an interactive and collaborative product development process
  • Format development information for direct response to customer inquiries, preparation of sales tools, and application development for new products
  • Adapt to shifting priorities while collaborating effectively across diverse teams and individuals
  • Conduct hands-on laboratory testing of processes and materials most commonly found in the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries
  • Perform lab-based work for more than 80% of the internship, with a strong emphasis on experimental design and data collection
  • Support food ingredient tradeshows by preparing materials, coordinating logistics, and supporting on-site engagement to enhance brand presence and capture customer insights

Education and Qualification Requirements

  • Is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science, Bakery Science, Grain Science, Culinary Science, or related science-based discipline; preference given to candidates in their junior or senior year of undergraduate study
  • Has hands-on experience in food laboratory settings, including familiarity with laboratory equipment and adherence to safe lab practices

Core Competencies Needed

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and effectively
  • Proficient in standard computer applications and digital tools
  • Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively in team environments and engage positively with diverse individuals

Apply