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Food Intern Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Embarcadero Media Foundation

Intern, Foodist

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$17.75 - $23.50/hr

Embarcadero Media Intern - Food Department : Foodist - appears in Palo Alto Weekly, The Almanac, Mountain View Voice, Redwood City Pulse Reports To : Adrienne Mitchel / Food Editor Location : Hybrid ...

Chick-fil-A - @First

Leader Intern

San Jose, CA · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

... service/fast food industry. Here at Chick-fil-A First Street, you'll have the opportunity to ... Intern responsibilities include: -Full-time commitment to the program (25-30 hours) -In-person ...

Chick-fil-A - @First

Leader Intern

San Jose, CA · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

... service/fast food industry. Here at Chick-fil-A First Street, you'll have the opportunity to ... Intern responsibilities include: -Full-time commitment to the program (25-30 hours) -In-person ...

Chick-fil-A - @First

Leader Intern

San Jose, CA

$20 - $25/hr

... service/fast food industry. Here at Chick-fil-A First Street, you'll have the opportunity to ... Intern responsibilities include: -Full-time commitment to the program (25-30 hours) -In-person ...

Ventura Coastal LLC

Operations Intern (71735)

Tipton, CA · On-site

$19/hr

Position Summary The Operations Intern will gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced citrus juice ... Observe and support compliance with food safety and quality standards, including GMP and HACCP ...

IPOT

Restaurant - Social Media Intern

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$18 - $23.25/hr

Now Hiring: Social Media Intern We're seeking a creative Social Media Intern to help tell IPOT ... Passion for food, hospitality, and digital storytelling. * Familiarity with social media platforms ...

Sodexo

Campus Intern

Thousand Oaks, CA · On-site

$16.90/hr

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

Sodexo

Campus Intern

Thousand Oaks, CA · On-site

$16.90/hr

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

Sodexo

Campus Intern

Thousand Oaks, CA

$16.90/hr

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

Sodexo

Campus Intern

Thousand Oaks, CA

$16.90/hr

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

ProFarm

Intern, Invertebrate Pest Biology

Davis, CA · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

ProFarm is an agricultural technology company on a mission to improve the food we eat in a way that ... Summary : The IPB intern will assist with our laboratory and greenhouse studies related to the ...

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All JobsFood Intern JobsFood Intern Jobs in California

Food Intern information

See California salary details

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$16

$23

How much do food intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for food intern in California is $16.81, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What kinds of projects and learning opportunities can a food intern expect during their internship?

As a Food Intern, you can expect to participate in a range of hands-on projects, such as assisting with menu development, food preparation, nutritional analysis, or supporting kitchen operations depending on the organization. Interns often work closely with chefs, nutritionists, or food scientists, providing valuable exposure to industry best practices and teamwork. The role is designed to help you gain practical experience, develop culinary or research skills, and better understand various aspects of the food industry, from safety standards to product innovation. These experiences are valuable for building your resume and can lead to full-time opportunities within the field.

What is a food intern?

A Food Intern is a student or recent graduate who gains hands-on experience in the food industry under the supervision of experienced professionals. Food Interns may work in various settings such as restaurants, food manufacturing companies, research labs, or corporate kitchens. Their responsibilities can include assisting with food preparation, conducting research, helping with menu development, or supporting quality control. This internship provides valuable industry exposure and helps interns build skills necessary for a career in food science, culinary arts, or hospitality management.

What is the difference between Food Intern vs Food Assistant?

AspectFood InternFood Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically enrolled in or recent graduate of culinary, hospitality, or food science programsOften has relevant certifications or experience in food service or hospitality
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, learning-focused, often in kitchens or food production areasOperational roles in restaurants, catering, or food production facilities
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by culinary schools, hospitality programs, and food companies for trainingCommon in restaurants, catering companies, and food service establishments

Food Interns are primarily learning roles for students or recent graduates gaining hands-on experience, while Food Assistants are more involved in daily operational tasks within food service environments. Both roles support food industry operations but differ mainly in experience level and responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Intern, you need a basic understanding of food safety, nutrition, and culinary techniques, often supported by coursework in food science or hospitality. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and food safety certifications like ServSafe is typically expected. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication help interns adapt and contribute in fast-paced kitchen environments. These skills are crucial for ensuring food quality, maintaining safety standards, and supporting smooth kitchen operations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Food jobs in California? The most popular types of Food jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Food Intern jobs? Cities in California with the most Food Intern job openings:
Food Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Intern job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,972 per year, or $16.8 per hour.

Intern, Foodist

Embarcadero Media Foundation

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$17.75 - $23.50/hr

Part-time, Internship

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Description:

Job Title: Embarcadero Media Intern – Food
Department: Foodist – appears in Palo Alto Weekly, The Almanac, Mountain View Voice, Redwood City Pulse
Reports To: Adrienne Mitchel / Food Editor
Location: Hybrid
Date: 3/3/25

About Us

Embarcadero Media Foundation is a nonprofit journalism group with three printed weekly newspapers, seven hyperlocal news websites and six email newsletters that serve a population of more than 500,000 people on the MidPeninsula and the East Bay’s Tri-Valley. We are looking for a motivated and passionate intern to join our food branch, The Peninsula Foodist, to inform, inspire and entertain our readers and the foodies of the Peninsula.

Articles for Peninsula Foodist appear on four websites – Palo Alto Online, The Almanac, Mountain View Voice and Redwood City Pulse – and may also appear in two print newspapers – Palo Alto Weekly and The Almanac. Peninsula Foodist has its own Instagram account, @peninsulafoodist, and weekly newsletter.

Job Summary

The Food Intern will dig into the Peninsula’s dining scene by producing food features (generally 800-1,200 words) and food blogs (generally 300-600 words). If the intern is interested in multimedia storytelling, the intern will also have the opportunity to take photos/videos and/or create Instagram reels. The ideal candidate will possess excellent interviewing, writing and storytelling skills and have a passion for food. The Food Intern will work closely with the Food Editor and the Six Fifty Editor at Embarcadero Media.

Key Responsibilities

  • Produce food features, including roundups, enterprise stories, profiles and Q&As.
  • Produce food blogs, like restaurant openings and closings.
  • Keep an eye out for food stories while in the field and pitch relevant stories to the Food Editor
  • (optional) Produce food reels highlighting unique eateries.

Required Qualifications

  • Currently pursuing a degree in journalism or related field
  • An interest in the Peninsula’s food scene

Skills and Abilities

  • Strong communication and written skills
  • Ability to interview, craft a story and write in AP style
  • A curious mind and an ambitious spirit

Working Conditions

  • Part-time
  • Hybrid
  • May have to drive to meet sources and conduct interviews

Compensation

  • Unpaid

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter and three clips via the application.

Requirements: