The culinary apprenticeship abroad opportunities we offer will give you the chance to develop essential culinary skills through firsthand experience working with local professional chefs in restaurants, hotels, or specialized kitchens.
You will get to immerse yourself in the world-renowned Jamaican culinary culture and learn local ingredients, techniques, and dishes that has helped the island earn its stripes as one of the food havens of the world.
We work with culinary students, graduates who need apprenticeship hours, certified chefs who are seeking to enhance their skill set by gaining insights into different cooking methods, presentation styles, and flavor profiles.
We offer a wide range of customizable culinary internships abroad programs to match your area of specialization.
So, whether you are specifically seeking chef internships, pastry internships abroad, or baking internships abroad, there is a culinary arts internship abroad program for you.
Culinary internships abroad with the Jamaica International Projects (JIP) will put you in a position to test and hone your skills in real-world situations.
Working in a professional kitchen on international culinary internships abroad helps culinary interns develop essential skills that will both boost their resumes and foster personal growth.
Key attributes that can be gained from hands-on experience working alongside a highly experienced local chef such as adaptability, problem-solving skills, time management, teamwork, and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment, are invaluable in the culinary world, where flexibility, creativity, and innovation are key.
Furthermore, unlike the typical tourist experience in Jamaica, culinary internships in Jamaica with JIP offers a more enriching and wholesome experience.
Here’s why you should consider a culinary apprenticeship abroad with us:
Make an impact on a rewarding experience in Jamaica:
For full culinary internship projects, you can be placed in a hotel or restaurant in Kingston or St. Catherine. For Placement Only, you have an option to be placed in any of the resort areas in Jamaica, such as Ocho Rios, Negril, Montego Bay, Falmouth, South Coast or Portland.
Culinary internships in Jamaica are perfect for students enrolled or recently graduated from culinary school who want on-the-job work exerience in a top notch restaurant. As one of the world’s premier destinations with its own rich cuisine, Jamaica is an ideal cooking internship spot.
You do not need prior experience to join our culinary internships abroad program in Jamaica.
However, if you wish for more advanced placements where you will be doing culinary work such as managing kitchens, using specialized culinary equipment, or other tasks, you will need qualifications and experience.
Culinary professionals will need to provide such qualifications during the application to secure advanced placements.
The minimum age to enroll alone is 16 years old. Interns under 16 looking to join this project must be accompanied by an adult.
Once you have applied and paid your enrollment fee and project tuition, there are a few documents we will ask you to share with us.
Email these to your Project Advisor during the enrollment process or you can submit them during your application.
We encourage all interns to pre-plan for their culinary internships abroad in Jamaica.
This ensures you will make the biggest impact during your project. When you are accepted to join the project, we will advise and assist you with brainstorming about the activities you wish to do during your culinary internships abroad project.
We can also schedule a meeting with you to go over the activities you have planned.
These are just some examples of what you can do during your culinary internship abroad in Jamaica with Jamaica International Projects (JIP).
Feel free to discuss any other activities you would like to engage in during your project.
On the first day of your culinary internships abroad project, you’ll visit your internship site with your Project Advisor.
You’ll receive a tour of the property, meet your team members, get a brief project orientation, and learn how to get lunch plus more.
During afternoons and weekends without scheduled internship work, you can purchase a tour and adventure package to add some fun to your culinary internships abroad project.
Upon completing your culinary internship in Jamaica, you will receive an Internship Certificate signed by our Managing Director.
We will also sign any documents verifying your internship or service hours if you provide them.
This is optional, but we encourage all interns who enroll in our culinary internships abroad programs to fundraise at home to gather resources for donations to food banks, local shelters, or orphanages during your project.
These resources may include food, culinary books, kitchen supplies, educational materials, equipment, or items that are beneficial to orphans or an orphanage.
*This is entirely optional and is not a requirement to enroll in our international culinary internships.
By paying the enrollment fee, you are guaranteed a placement within our project and your dates are secured
Placement Only Enrollment Fee
One-Time Fee
1-Day Enrollment Fee
Start at
$150
Full projects include accommodation, meals, transportation and in-country support
$1,210
Total
$2,800
Total
$795
Per Additional Week
within an organization in Jamaica where you will volunteer or intern
at your project work site to support your project and make an impact
Di Real Jamaican membership is a mini course that teaches you about Jamaica
Full breakfast and dinner each day, and we cater to all diets or allergies
Live like a local in a shared dorm or private room with modern amenities
Daily project transfers and airport pickup and return
before your project begins, during your project and after you depart.
Throughout your project, enjoy outings to museums, ice cream, beaches & more
Project certificates & verification of your work hours after project completion
Shared dorm or private room with A/C
Clean bathrooms with hot shower
Free cable TV and Wi-Fi at your homebase
Secure home with cameras & panic button
Quiet family homebase to live like a local
Clean towels, washrags, pillows & bed linen
Rooms and common areas cleaned daily
Nightlife like games night & cooking classes
Welcome giftbag with goodies from JIP
Our primary accommodation is Barnett’s Homestay, located in the quiet community of Portmore, St. Catherine. You will stay with Jomo Barnett, the Director of Jamaica International Projects, and his family during your project. This is your chance to live with a Jamaican family and learn our culture.
Culinary internships abroad opportunities such as those offered by JIP are designed for a mature audience seeking meaningful culinary experiences abroad.
Here’s what to expect:
This structured and supportive environment ensures a fulfilling and safe experience for mature interns focused on culinary arts internships abroad.
When you are ready to enroll in our culinary internship abroad programs in Jamaica, our enrollment process is simple. Our team is always just a quick call or message away.
Follow these steps to start planning and preparing for the internship experience of a lifetime.
Read through this page, what is included in our food science internships abroad project and decide if it is the right fit for you. Consider the costs involved, project durations, the requirements, and what you are able to do during your stay.
Read up about us, check out our reviews, download our brochure, or read through our FAQ.
Discuss our culinary internship for international students’ program with your parents or guardian, friends, academic advisors, or mentors.
Think about why you want to join, and what you hope to accomplish during your trip. And share our website or brochure with them.
Reach out to us to connect with a Project Advisor who will meet with you and your parents or guardians to guide you through the enrollment process, answer your questions, help you set your goals and itinerary, and provide more information.
Complete the application form for the culinary internship abroad experience. By applying, you won’t be making a commitment or locking yourself into the project, so you are free to explore other options and compare our culinary internships abroad programs with other providers.
Instead, your application will help us better advise you, plan your itinerary, and customize a project for you.
We review and respond to applications within 48 hours.
Schedule a virtual meeting with us. If you are under 18, you are required to have a parent or guardian present. Meetings are done on Zoom, Google Meets, or via phone call.
Review the offer email, which includes the cost, sample itinerary, what is included, and what you need to submit.
Pay the enrollment fee and the project tuition. You have the option to pay the tuition in full or request a payment plan.
Submit outstanding payments and documents:
Within a month of the start date of your cooking internships abroad project, we will host a 30-minute onboarding call on Zoom or Google Meets with you.
This includes an official welcome, tips and guides, and virtual orientation.
You will get access to our Jamaican culture and our travel safety and security course online that you can complete at your own pace.
Check your passport to ensure it will not expire during your trip, research if you need a visa to stay in Jamaica, obtain a travel medical insurance plan that covers you during your culinary internship abroad, and book your flights.
Confirm that all fees are paid and submit all required documents.
There is no restriction on the nationalities that can participate in our international culinary internships abroad opportunities.
Our only restriction is the age range of our participants, which is 16. Interns younger than 16 will need to travel with a parent or guardian.
Yes! Read our reviews to see what our past interns have said about us, and during the enrollment process, you can request to connect with a past intern.
This depends on the time of year that you join, but you may meet other interns during your project. Keep in mind that other interns may be enrolled in a different project than yours.
You must be 16 years old or older to enroll on your own. If you are younger than 16, you will have to enroll with a parent or guardian.
For a full list of requirements check out this list.
Jamaica is an English-speaking country, so you should be able to read, write, and speak English (you don’t need to be fluent). No experience or qualifications are required, just a willingness to do a great job and have lots of fun.
We encourage you to share any dietary needs or any special accommodations needed for your participation.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about choosing the right program for you.
Beyond the program tuition and enrollment fee, consider these additional costs to ensure a smooth and worry-free financial experience:
We accept payments by credit card or international wire transfer. You have the option to pay in full or go on a payment plan.
While we do not offer sponsorships and grants directly, we can still help! Check with your school, parents/guardians, and mentors – they might have travel scholarships or grants available. We will assist with any application paperwork you need.
Need help funding your trip? Our detailed fundraising guide offers two options:
To get the most out of your program, starting on the recommended Sunday is ideal.
This way, you will participate in the initial orientation alongside your fellow participants, ensuring everyone is on the same page from the beginning.
Need to adjust your arrival date? No problem! Just let us know before enrolling, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Absolutely! Everything is better with friends. You can join with a parent, friend, sibling, or spouse and share a room (based on availability).
Yes! We take your safety and security seriously. Some steps we take to keep you safe during your trip include:
Follow this link for more information on how we keep you safe.
Yes, we do. Our culinary internship in Jamaica is ideal for culinary students or certified and practicing culinary professionals.
All Year Round
1-12 Weeks
Placement Only and Full Project
