Fall Strategy Internship
TCE’s internship program offers creative and curious students, recent grads, and career pivoters a four-month opportunity to work alongside our team of strategists and chefs. At TCE, we like to think of our internships more like apprenticeships. We learn the most when teaching and it is our duty to ensure there is a rich transfer of knowledge and skills.
The strategy internship is designed to cultivate a deep understanding of scalable food and beverage concepts. Our goal is to prepare interns for a career in food & beverage strategy through exposure to F&B concepting, operations, brand design, menu strategy, and product development. This strategy internship is intended for students and those seeking to understand the ins and outs of the restaurant industry. As this position occurs during the fall, this internship is best suited for:
- Recent university graduates (graduated in Summer 2025 or earlier)
- College students taking a gap semester that are able to be present in San Francisco for the duration of the internship.
- Anyone looking to build their career in food & beverage creative consulting
Due to the broad scope of our business, The Culinary Edge requires a wide-ranging skill set and professional demeanor from the strategy intern. Interns are assigned to projects alongside other members of the strategy team, and follow the project through each phase of work, from creative to development and launch. TCE interns contribute to projects at many stages, occasionally managing independent tasks and projects, making them integral members of the Strategy Team.
Sample Responsibilities of the Strategy Intern
- Support strategy and culinary teams on client projects, including writing, copyediting, deck building, proofing deliverables, imagery collection, and research.
- Participate in creative brainstorming sessions.
- Research restaurant concepts, industry trends and periodicals, ingredients, plateware, and packaging.
- Capture and disseminate notes for creative ideation sessions and meetings.
- Assist in the creation of client-facing materials for various projects.
- Coordinate reception, hospitality, and meals for client meetings, general guest hospitality, and space management.
- Shop for ingredients, supplies, and materials.
Your Experience and Skills
- Design-focused with advanced written and visual presentation skills
- Able to quickly adapt to new technology or programs
- Able to manage a heavy workload, prioritize well and meet deadlines
- Resourceful, flexible and able to creatively solve problems
- Systems and process-oriented
- Proactive and reliable to fellow team members and managers
- Impeccable attention to detail and minimal errors
- Passionate about food, trends, and hospitality
- Strong sense of agency and accountability
Requirements
- Undergraduate student (junior or senir) or recent graduate (within the last 12 months)
- Strong working knowledge of Mac, Microsoft office suites, and Google suites
- Ability to work in-person 4-5x a week at our San Francisco test kitchen, located in the SOMA neighborhood.
Hours
Interns work full-time normal office hours and total approximately 38 hours per week. However, hours are flexible and may differ from week to week. Please note that it is not recommended to apply for this internship as a full-time student.
Internship Term
3-4 months
Target Starting Date (flexible based on school schedule)
- Fall: early August 2025 through end of January 2026.
Compensation
$20/hour
How to Apply
Please apply directly through the Handshake application portal by submitting your resume, cover letter, and writing sample (see below).
Please note that applications without a writing sample will not be considered.
WRITING SAMPLE PROMPT.
Review your Favorite Restaurant.
At The Culinary Edge, we spend a significant amount of time dining out together. From hole-in-the-wall spots to Michelin starred restaurants, we’re eager for culinary adventure and proceed without judgment. We want to get to know you and where you like to eat! Pretend you’re writing a ~250-word review for the Eater blog about your favorite restaurant including name, location, why it’s your favorite, the must-have menu items, and any unique facts readers should know.