Paid Culinary Internship – Motor City Seafood Company

Motor City Seafood Company is offering a hands-on paid internship opportunity for culinary students and individuals enrolled in kitchen or hospitality work programs who want to expand their skills beyond the kitchen and gain real-world seafood experience.

This internship is designed for aspiring chefs who want to better understand where quality seafood comes from, how it is sourced, inspected, handled, and prepared before it reaches restaurants and commercial kitchens.

Interns will work alongside experienced seafood professionals and gain exposure to:

• Fish filleting and knife skills
• Seafood handling and processing techniques
• Product quality evaluation and inspection
• Seafood sourcing and distribution operations
• Industry food safety and sanitation practices
• Understanding species, seasonality, and product quality

This is an excellent opportunity for culinary students looking to:

• Strengthen seafood fabrication skills
• Build confidence handling whole fish
• Gain industry experience outside of the traditional kitchen environment
• Learn the supply side of the seafood industry
• Enhance resumes with hands-on production and culinary experience

What We're Looking For

• Culinary students or recent graduates
• Individuals enrolled in kitchen work-study or hospitality programs
• Motivated team players eager to learn
• Interest in seafood, culinary arts, and food production
• Ability to work in a fast-paced refrigerated environment

Internship Details

• Paid internship opportunity
• Flexible scheduling options may be available
• Located in Highland Park, MI
• Hands-on training provided

At Motor City Seafood Company, we believe great chefs should understand the full journey of seafood - from sourcing and receiving to preparation and presentation.

Apply today and gain experience that sets you apart in the culinary industry.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Interns will work on site at our new state of the art production facility in Highland Park, Michigan. Physical demands include but not limited to:

• Ability to work in a cold controlled environment of <40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Ability to use tools and equipment, including knives.
• Ability to work in wet/dry conditions.
• Exposure to FDA cleaning chemicals.
• Hand use ability includes single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling.
• Must frequently stand, walk, and bend throughout the day while lifting, stacking, moving, and rotating items that weigh up to 50 pounds; push/pull cart with up to 100 pounds of force.

Qualifications

• Eighteen years of age or older, with valid ID proving legal work status.
• Up to one year experience and/or training in seafood preparation and knowledge. Some experience is helpful but not required. 

Required Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability in knife handling and use of other cutting equipment.
• Knowledge of fish species and fish processing techniques, including scaling, filleting, deboning, and packaging.
• Familiarity with food safety regulations and procedures.
• Work a flexible schedule, including weekends, if necessary. 
• Proper clothing required, as production area maintains a cold temperature.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet production targets.
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Strong physical stamina and ability to lift heavy loads.
• Ability to work independently as well as a part of a team.
• Punctuality/attendance.
• Professionalism and high-level communication.

Additional Requirements

• Adhere to the policies and procedures upheld by Motor City Seafood Company and any applicable contracts, signed agreements, and work rules.
• Cooperates with all management and staff at MCSC.
• Follows all OSHA & FDA/MDARD rules and regulations, as they apply to the position.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

About Motor City Seafood Company

Motor City Seafood Company is southeastern Michigan's premier seafood wholesaler and processor. Our products are delivered straight into Detroit, allowing us to offer the freshest fish that the area has experienced. Offering select premium, sustainable seafood, we pride ourselves on keeping focus on our quality products and customers. Motor City Seafood Company is HACCP certified and conveniently located minutes from Detroit Metro Airport and along the myriad of expressways, linking our facility to reach our customers around metro Detroit, downtown Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Traverse City and surrounding areas.

Motor City Seafood Company provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Motor City Seafood Company will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, or student, because of a physical impairment regarding any position or program for which that person is qualified.