Culinary Internships: Intern abroad in Greece
Take your culinary passion to the next level with an internship in Crete, where you’ll immerse yourself in the art of baking and cooking. This internship provides you with a behind-the-scenes look at the creativity and skill involved in creating exceptional dishes. Whether you’re refining your techniques in a professional kitchen or learning innovative culinary trends, this internship will inspire and equip you for a successful career in the food industry.
What to expect from your Culinary internship:
- Enhance your culinary skills with guidance from professionals.
- Gain insight into local techniques and specialities.
- Contribute to efficient catering and procurement operations.
Your internship abroad host organization:
- Restaurants
- Bakeries
- Cafes
- Delicatessens
- Catering companies
- Hotels
- Suppliers of restaurants and hotels
Internship details
If you have a passion for crafting mouthwatering dishes and you’re eager to refine your skills in the kitchen, our Culinary internships in Crete offer excellent opportunities! As one of Europe’s premier tourism destinations, Crete is home to world-class restaurants and hotels, offering incredible cultural immersion and learning experiences. Gain hands-on experience in creating, cooking and baking, while understanding the inner workings of restaurants, bakeries, cafes and more.
This is an in-country internship, with accommodation and select meals provided. You can explore remote internships, if you are looking for an internship program that you can undertake from home.
Crete, with its rich food culture and centuries-old culinary traditions, is a paradise for anyone passionate about food. Known for its use of fresh, local ingredients - from vibrant fruits and vegetables to aromatic herbs and locally sourced meats - Cretan cuisine is a celebration of Mediterranean flavors that are both simple and delicious.
As a Culinary intern in Crete, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in this food culture, learning firsthand how to work as a vital member of a professional kitchen. Whether you’re assisting with the preparation of traditional dishes like moussaka or dakos, honing your skills in baking bread and pastries, developing recipes, or helping develop content for blogs and social media, you’ll be surrounded by the rich flavors and vibrant atmosphere of this beautiful island. Be ready to roll up your sleeves, tap into your creativity, and adapt to the dynamic pace of the kitchen while learning from experienced chefs in one of Greece’s most iconic culinary destinations!
Internship placement details:
Culinary interns have the chance to work alongside a range of placements. In all cases, preferences are subject to availability. Internship placement is determined according to a number of factors, such as prior experience, study background, and chosen internship dates. If you’re at a more introductory level, you should reasonably expect a more introductory internship.
Internship seasonality:
The ideal time to undertake Culinary internships in Crete from April through November, during the peak tourism season. Although winter and off-season months (December to May) still attract visitors, placements are more limited due to a slower pace of activity during this period.
Do I need to speak Greek for this internship?
Greek or other foreign languages are not a requirement to join. However, interns should expect that a language barrier can still be encountered to a certain extent. Come prepared and willing to surmount a language barrier (and ask for help when needed), as opposed to being intimidated by it.
What to expect in your first week:
Interns should expect that the first week of your experience will focus on settling in and gaining some introductory knowledge, to build an understanding of what you can develop, learn, and contribute. Interns are encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback, so that your supervisor(s) understands how you’re progressing and can assist to develop your internship accordingly.
Typical Schedule
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Monday to Friday, up to 8 hours per day
What are the career benefits of interning abroad as a Culinary Intern?
Culinary interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
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Recipe development.
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Meal preparation.
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Content creation for sales and marketing.
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Catering and procurement operations.
Professional development opportunities:
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Enhance your knowledge and passion for culinary excellence.
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Develop technical skills.
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Deepen your understanding of food production and supply logistics.
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Uphold professional standards for food safety and hygiene requirements.
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Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.
Are you eligible for this internship?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
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Academic credit available for all internships
Get course credit from your college or university while completing your internship abroad or a remote internship program. It's a great way to meet your academic requirements and gain valuable experience at the same time.
Learn about course creditProgram fees
Applying for our Culinary Internship is completely free! The support package covers the assistance we provide in finding your internship and arranging your living accommodations in your host country, ensuring you thrive during your program.
Please note that a deposit of US$499 is required to confirm your place. The remaining balance (minus your initial US$499 deposit) is due at least 60 days before your internship start date.
Duration |
Program Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $1,959 Equivalent to $139 /day |
| 3 weeks | $2,269 Equivalent to $108 /day |
| 4 weeks | $2,799 Equivalent to $99 /day |
| 5 weeks | $3,019 Equivalent to $86 /day |
| 6 weeks | $3,349 Equivalent to $79 /day |
| 8 weeks | $3,929 Equivalent to $70 /day |
| 10 weeks | $4,699 Equivalent to $67 /day |
| 12 weeks | $5,349 Equivalent to $63 /day |
- Airport pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- Program orientation
- Dedicated support before, during, and after your internship
- In-country guidance for social and tourist activities
- Sourcing and securing your internship placement
- Personalization of your internship plan
- Coaching from your supervisor
- Documented portfolio of your experiential learnings
- Academic credit facilitation
- International reference letter
- Certificate of Internship Completion
- All meals
- All in-country transportation
- Transfer back to the airport at the end of your internship program
- Visa (if required), flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check
- Personal spending money for snacks, drinks, public transport, laundry, and leisure activities during your free time.
Arrival and Orientation
Internships in Heraklion, Crete, begin every Monday of the year. Exceptions to this schedule may be made to this when start dates are shifted to avoid holiday disruptions, or closed when the program has already reached capacity. Interns may choose to spend a minimum of 4 weeks, up to a maximum of 12 weeks. Airport pick-up and accommodation are included in the Program Fee.
The accommodation is covered from the Sunday night before the Monday start date - interns are required to arrive no later than the Sunday before their Monday start date, prior to midnight. (Arrivals after midnight will incur an airport pick-up surcharge). Airport pick ups are not provided on the weekend.
The typical port of entry is the Heraklion International Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis” (HER). Airport pick up, as included in the internship program fee, is provided from this airport. Upon arrival, interns will be transferred to the accommodation. If you are planning to spend time independently in Greece prior to the internship and will not require an airport pick up, we can discuss alternative arrival logistics.
An alternative port of entry is the Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis (Chania Airport - CHQ). However, if you arrive at this airport, you’d need to travel onward to Heraklion city via bus. This journey takes approximately 6-8 hours and requires several bus changes. Airport pick ups can be arranged for new arrivals from the CHQ airport, but there are extra costs associated with this service.
Orientation covers important details for your internship, including introductions, information about culture, customs, rules, expectations, safety, cultural excursions, and more. Your specific internship placement orientation will follow the general orientation, as you’ll be shown how to travel to and from your internship and be introduced to the team you’ll be joining.
The last night of the accommodation is the Friday night of the final week, leaving interns free to depart on either the Friday or Saturday (prior to noon, on the Saturday). Extra nights of accommodation can be arranged in advance, if requested, and are subject to availability. Return transportation to the airport is not included in the internship program fee but local coordinators can assist you to make arrangements, upon request.
Please note that all participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their participation and internship placement details.
Check what's required to visit Greece
Check out the widget below to learn about the visa requirements for the Culinary internship in Greece, based on your country of residence.
Accommodation and WiFi
All interns in Crete are accommodated within shared residence apartments that are utilized for the internship program. The apartments are located within convenient urban areas of Heraklion, or some near the city center of Heraklion, situated near to tourist centers with access to beach, supermarkets, pharmacies, medical centers, and coffee shops. Locals live in the area year-round although more people are within the region during the summer months.
Upon accommodation check in, a security deposit of 50 Euros (per person) is required. This must be paid in cash and is fully refundable upon check out, assuming that no damages, lost keys, breaches of accommodation rules, or payment for accommodation related services need to be settled.
Air conditioning is available within the apartments but this cost is not included in the Program Fee. Use of air conditioning during the summer months incurs a service charge in-country of 5 Euros, per day, per room, paid in cash. (This cost can therefore be split between guests when rooms are shared). The minimum duration requirement for A/C use is one week and the air-conditioning may only be used when people are actually within the apartment. The A/C/ must be turned off, when the apartment is vacated.
Living arrangements are shared with other program participants. Expect to share with approximately 1-2 other guests of the same gender. Access to bathroom and kitchen facilities are likewise shared. Singular rooms are available at an extra cost for those who wish to arrange private accommodation in advance. (Private room upgrades priced from 28-35 p/n depending on the season).
Apartment amenities include WiFi, bedding, (two pairs of linen), and two pairs of bathroom towels per guest. Beach towels are not provided. Toilet paper is provided within the bathroom upon check-in but guests are required to replenish. Each apartment complex provides access to a washing machine for laundry and there is no extra cost for this. A dryer is not provided and clothing may be air dried.
If a commute is required (to either the internship placement or the central office) then the travel time is usually between 20 to 40 minutes on average. In rare situations, the commute could be up to 60 minutes maximum. A public pass for the Heraklion City Bus costs 65 Euros for a 30 Day Card, providing unlimited trips within the main/central “A and B Zone” boundaries.
Meals
Internships in Crete do not include meals. With an exception, breakfast is provided once a week only, on Thursday. For interns who wish to arrange the provision of additional meals, this can be arranged directly via in-country program coordinators (ordered in advance via form submission). For those who opt in for this service, depending on meal quantities, expect to budget between €12 - €20 per day (approx. US$12 - US$22).
The accommodation provides access to shared kitchen facilities, for those who wish to self-cater. Supermarkets are easily accessible and there is a wide range of local eateries available, from budget-friendly tavernas to more upscale restaurants.
A weekly meals/grocery budget of around €150 - €250 is considered to be sufficient. However, bear in mind that your budget for this will be determined by your personal spending habits and lifestyle choices. Please take this into consideration and plan accordingly. Expect to pay more for seafood and imported items.
Essential country information
| Capital | Athens |
| Population | 10.75 million |
| Languages | Greek |
| Currency | Euro (€ - EUR) |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 |
Weather and climate:
Crete has a temperate Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. There are significant differences between the coastal zone and mountainous areas, as well as between the west and east regions of Crete. July is generally the warmest month of the year, with an average maximum temperature of 86°F (30 °C). Spring and autumn are also warm and pleasurable. If you are set on swimming, you should probably avoid travelling over in the winter, as the temperatures drop, there is more rain and less sunshine.
