International Culinary Trainee Program

International Culinary Trainee Program (no longer offered)
This program is no longer offered

For those with two to three years of culinary experience, this program presents the opportunity to develop your skills in the kitchens of the Walt Disney World Resort among world class chefs.

The program lasts 12 months, and it is on a J-1 Visa open to applicants from most countries. During the contract, you will be working in various locations on property, including Quick Service and Full Service restaurants, as well as Banquet and Catering kitchens. Placement is basically dependent on staffing needs at the various locations, so you can end up anywhere.

All applicants must have at least 2 to 3 years of kitchen experience, and a solid education in culinary arts is an obvious asset. With your experience, you should know what to expect - Disney kitchens are much the same as any other kitchen around the world, and work in similar ways. Duties can include anything from stocking storage areas and basic prep, to working in a million dollar open kitchen in front of dozens of guests.

The learning portion of the program consists of both OJT (On-The-Job Training) and classroom opportunities. At the outset of the contract, you will be assigned a mentor to guide and assist you through you development. Disney runs a full Culinary Academy on property, and as such, training opportunities are practically limitless. if you are interested in the business aspect of the resort's foodservice operations, classes on these topics are available at the Disney University. These additional classes and training are typically taken in your own time.

Living and transportation arrangements are the same as most Programs, and further details about these are available in the Survival Guide.