At HRC, our internship program is designed to give students well-rounded, real-world culinary experience in two distinct professional settings. Each student completes two internships during the Culinary Arts program:

• A high-end restaurant or business hotel restaurant – students immerse themselves in kitchens where creativity, craftsmanship, and a personalised approach to service are the focus. These are typically smaller, chef-driven establishments where students can closely observe and engage in high-level culinary artistry.
• A high-volume operation – this placement focuses on productivity, efficiency, and organisation at scale. It may be a large, high-end restaurant or part of a luxury hotel operation. In cases where the internship is within a hotel, we only work with 4- and 5-star properties to ensure quality standards are met.

Both internships are selected carefully to reflect the high standards of our Academy and to prepare students for the diverse demands of the culinary industry.

Typically, the first internship takes place in Europe and the second in the United States, offering students international exposure and experience across different culinary environments.

The order of the internships may vary – some students may begin with a hotel placement and move on to an independent restaurant, while others may follow the opposite path. This decision is based on each student’s development, skills, available opportunities, and the professional judgment of the chef instructors.

• Internship 1

After completing their first semester, students embark on a 6-month paid* professional work placement in Europe’s finest restaurants and hotels**. The minimum duration is 22 weeks, with the possibility of an extension up to 1 month, depending on the HRC Academy class schedule.

*Internship and housing allowances vary per the country’s and the employer’s policies for taking interns on-site. 

**Visa regulations may limit students’ choices for internship locations in Europe. For non-European students, their initial internship is typically within Bulgaria.

• Internship 2

After completing their third semester, students begin a one-year culinary adventure in the USA on a free J1 visa. During the internship, they rotate through at least three different kitchen positions, gaining hands-on experience and learning from some of the industry’s best.

*Internship and housing allowances vary per state and location.

Students from programs other than Culinary Arts can take advantage of our internship programs by paying an additional fee equivalent to the semester fee of the Culinary Arts program.