Culinary and Baking Internship

Summary:

Palmetto Bluff is nestled along the May River in the Lowcountry of South Carolina between Hilton Head Island and Savannah. As an award winning 20,000-acre development, the development encompasses a private member’s only club which includes a marina, restaurants, an equestrian center, a shooting club, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, a King-Collins 9-Hole Course, lawn and racquet club, and more. In addition, Palmetto Bluff has an extensive nature preserve, walking trails, retail shopping, and a vibrant village, all which pay homage to the region’s rich heritage.

Palmetto Bluff’s Culinary and Baking and Pastry Externships are designed to provide qualified culinary students with the tools necessary to succeed in this very competitive industry. By working alongside Palmetto Bluff chefs, managers and staff, student externs gain practical experience and insight into all aspects of Club operations, from lavish weddings and private parties to state-of-the-art restaurants.  The four restaurant concepts within the Club range from casual dining to the finest restaurants in the region.  Ultimately, student externships at the Palmetto Bluff are a fantastic way for career-minded hospitality students to satisfy academic requirements while gaining valuable, resume-building work experience, building professional relationships and enhancing their interpersonal and professional skills.

In return, Palmetto Bluff benefits from the energy, vitality, and fresh perspective externs bring to our operation. And, because many of our best employees started their careers as externs, it is an ideal way to include more students and recent graduates into our growing professional network!

About the Externships:

Culinary and Baking and Pastry Externs are assigned to one of the following popular Club facilities:

• Cole’s/Canteen
• May River Grill
• Canoe Club 

Venue assignments depend on business requirements as well as previous work experience, qualifications, and externship objectives. Because each venue has its own distinctive style and traditions, no two externships will be exactly alike. All students may reasonably expect to participate in every aspect of Club operations during their externship experience. 

All externs will contribute individually and as a team to support goals and objectives assigned by experienced culinary mentors and each student will benefit from on the job training and continued mentoring in their specialized field of study. Externs must be passionate about the culinary industry, have a positive attitude and a love for learning. Palmetto Bluff is an exciting and fast paced environment where initiative and enthusiasm are rewarded!

Learning Objectives:

• Play a vital role in tracking trends, working in state-of-the-art kitchens, and assisting established chefs.
• Gain specific technical skills and knowledge necessary to excel in a fine-dining, private club environment
• Contribute to recipe development, test and experiment with new ideas and concepts, and understand the effect of menu training on the overall quality of service
• Discover effective tactics to motivate staff and inspire teamwork and cooperation. 
• Gain practical, resume-building work experience at a top tier private club
• Build strong relationships with Palmetto Bluff staff and managers and expand your professional network by connecting with leaders in the culinary and hospitality industry.
• Gain valuable knowledge regarding growing cycle of produce and peak times to grow and harvest a wide variety of produce.

About the Restaurants:

Located within the Moreland Clubhouse, Cole’s featuring local farmers, fishermen, and purveyors, Cole’s Lowcountry Tavern is a family-friendly member’s meeting place where local produce is paired with innovative libations, local brews, curated wines, and friendly service. Cole’s lounge features several TVs, 17 bar seats and assorted lounge seating. Enjoy a draft beer or a signature Cole’s cocktail at the bar or on the screened porch overlooking the marsh.

The Canteen is the perfect spot in Moreland Village to pick up a cup of coffee or breakfast sandwich in the morning and a homemade panini, a wrap, a salad or snacks in the afternoon. Take it to go or enjoy an afternoon on the Canteen’s open-air porch with a glass of wine or a beer from a local brewery.

Nestled alongside the pristine fairways and stunning live oaks of the May River Golf Course, the May River Grill at the clubhouse is the ideal spot for casual dining or a relaxing post-round meal. Enjoy lunch indoors or check out the action on the links on the outdoor terrace. Fancy a drink? Enjoy an enticing cocktail at the bar while watching golfers finish their round on the 18th green. May River Grill serves lunch to members and Inn guests with scheduled tee times and provides drinks and refreshing cocktails until the last player finishes.

The Canoe Club is all about Southern comfort. Enjoy dining with panoramic views of the May River on one side and the Palmetto Bluff inland waterway on the other. Our “coastal kitchen” menu celebrates local seafood, drawing ingredients and inspiration from the May River with staples including local shrimp, oysters and seafood prepared in a variety of ways. By partnering with area farms, we are able to source fresh vegetables, beef and poultry to create dishes that honor the bounty of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

To deliver on something that aspires to do more than serve as a farm, we use the Palmetto Bluff Farm to lead the way in recapturing and cultivating authentic farming practices of the Lowcountry of South Carolina and celebrate and collaborate with the farmers, hunters, fishermen and craftsmen who share our vision.

Schedules:

Externs work full time schedules (35-40+ hours per week 5-6 days per week). Extern start dates can be somewhat flexible but are generally mid-January for Spring externs, mid-May for Summer externs, and mid-September for Fall externs. Externships last 14-20 consecutive weeks.

Pay Rates:

ALL externships are PAID. Total compensation per hour is $15 + 4% Food and Beverage Commission. The Club also provides daily, chef-prepared meals for all employees!

Housing and Transportation

The Employee Hotel is location is approximately 30 minutes from the Club in an excellent location in Bluffton just between Hilton Head Island and Downtown Bluffton minutes from the beaches. The cost of housing is $125/week for a single room or $50/week for a shared room(double occupancy) which includes all utilities and is deducted from paychecks biweekly ($250 or $100 deducted per paycheck). Transportation to and from work is also available if needed and parking is complimentary. 

Requirements:

• Externs must be currently enrolled in an accredited culinary school or a recent graduate of one
• Strong knife skills and basic kitchen knowledge are essential
• At least one year of BOH experience is strongly preferred
• Ability to work 12-20 consecutive weeks
• Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled
• Must be able to meet the physical requirements of the job (as outlined in the job description)

The Bluffton area offers many exciting and interesting things to enjoy during non-working hours including nationally acclaimed restaurants, the beaches on Hilton Head Island and Tybee Island, fishing, shopping, and more. Just a short drive from Beaufort, SC, Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC.  If you want to build your resume, learn from award-winning chefs, work hard AND have fun, apply for a Palmetto Bluff Externship today by emailing your resume!