Looking for the best countries to grow your culinary career? Explore five top destinations: USA, Spain, Portugal, Thailand, and South Africa.
If you’re passionate about cooking and dream of working in kitchens around the world, a culinary career abroad can offer incredible experiences. From Michelin-starred fine dining to vibrant street food scenes, some countries simply stand out when it comes to culinary opportunities.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at five of the best countries for culinary jobs, whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your skills to the next level. These destinations offer rich food cultures, growing hospitality industries, and great opportunities for international chefs, interns, and culinary professionals.
1. United States
Why work in the USA?
The USA has one of the largest and most diverse culinary landscapes in the world. From high-end restaurants in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago to resort kitchens in Florida and Hawaii, the country offers countless opportunities for chefs and kitchen staff.
With a strong tourism industry and a fast-paced hospitality market, chefs in the USA often work with innovative menus, global ingredients, and cutting-edge culinary techniques.
Popular culinary job roles:
- Line cook and prep cook
- Sous chef and executive chef
- Pastry chef and bakery positions
- Culinary interns and trainees
Culinary cities to explore:
- New York City – A culinary capital, offering everything from Michelin stars to global street food.
- Las Vegas – Home to celebrity chef restaurants and luxury dining.
- San Francisco – Famous for farm-to-table cuisine and seafood.
- New Orleans – Known for its soulful Creole and Cajun food.
What makes the USA unique?
The USA values creativity, speed, and customer service. Culinary professionals with strong technical skills and the ability to adapt to fast-paced environments are in high demand. Many programs, like those offered by Placement International, even allow young chefs to work in top kitchens under the J-1 visa program.
2. Spain
Why work in Spain?
Spain is a culinary powerhouse, blending centuries-old traditions with cutting-edge gastronomy. Known for tapas, paella, and avant-garde techniques like molecular gastronomy (hello, El Bulli legacy), Spain offers an exciting environment for chefs who want to deepen their culinary knowledge.
It’s also one of the best places in Europe for those who value work-life balance, seasonal cuisine, and high-quality ingredients.
Popular culinary job roles:
- Tapas chef
- Mediterranean cuisine cook
- Culinary trainee in luxury hotels
- Sous chef in Michelin-starred restaurants
Culinary cities to explore:
- Barcelona – Home to Catalan cuisine and creative fusion dining.
- San Sebastián – With one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants per square meter.
- Madrid – A mix of traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine.
What makes Spain unique?
The Spanish kitchen emphasizes technique, respect for ingredients, and artistic presentation. Culinary interns often get hands-on experience with traditional and modern methods. Working in Spain also provides exposure to wine pairing and front-of-house skills, especially in gastronomic tourism.
3. Portugal
Why work in Portugal?
Portugal is becoming a culinary destination in its own right. With rich seafood traditions, incredible wines, and a growing number of fine dining restaurants, this country offers great opportunities for young chefs and kitchen staff.
Portuguese cuisine values rustic techniques and bold flavors, making it a great place to learn the art of simplicity and authenticity.
Popular culinary job roles:
- Pastry chef (Portugal is famous for desserts like pastéis de nata)
- Seafood cook
- Culinary intern in coastal resorts
- Wine and food pairing assistant
Culinary cities to explore:
- Lisbon – A blend of tradition and modern gastronomy.
- Porto – Home of port wine and hearty Northern Portuguese dishes.
- Faro – A coastal region known for seafood.
What makes Portugal unique?
Portugal’s culinary scene is approachable yet refined. It’s a great place to learn about sustainability, local sourcing, and the slow food movement. Many international internships here are based in boutique hotels, resorts, and wine-focused restaurants.
4. Thailand
Why work in Thailand?
Thailand is a paradise for culinary adventurers. Its food is bold, vibrant, and rooted in balance—sweet, salty, sour, and spicy all come together in dishes like pad Thai, green curry, and tom yum.
Culinary jobs in Thailand can be found in luxury hotels, resorts, and fine dining restaurants in cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. The country is also a hub for fusion cuisine, blending Thai flavors with Western techniques.
Popular culinary job roles:
- Asian cuisine chef
- Culinary intern in 5-star resorts
- Thai cooking instructor (for international travelers)
- Hotel kitchen staff
Culinary cities to explore:
- Bangkok – Street food meets fine dining.
- Chiang Mai – A hub for culinary schools and Northern Thai cuisine.
- Phuket – A tourism hotspot with luxury resorts and global guests.
What makes Thailand unique?
Thailand’s hospitality culture is incredibly warm and guest-focused. Working in Thai kitchens means learning speed, precision, and balance. It's also a great place to explore Southeast Asian ingredients and cooking techniques. For many chefs, it’s an immersive, hands-on learning experience.
5. South Africa
Why work in South Africa?
South Africa is a cultural and culinary melting pot. Influences from Dutch, Indian, Malaysian, and indigenous African cuisines make it one of the most unique food destinations in the world.
Cape Town and Johannesburg are home to many high-end restaurants, wine estates, and hospitality groups that welcome international interns and young professionals.
Popular culinary job roles:
- Game lodge chef (cooking in safari destinations!)
- Wine and food pairing roles
- Fine dining cook
- Resort pastry chef
Culinary cities to explore:
- Cape Town – Fresh seafood, farm-to-table cuisine, and wine country.
- Johannesburg – A growing fine dining scene.
- Stellenbosch – The heart of South Africa’s wine region.
What makes South Africa unique?
Working here is often about connection to land and community. You’ll work with fresh, local ingredients and often in stunning locations—imagine prepping dishes with mountain views or overlooking the ocean.
It’s also one of the most culturally diverse places to work in hospitality, which adds richness to both kitchen life and guest experiences.
Start Your Culinary Career with Placement International
Each of these five countries—USA, Spain, Portugal, Thailand, and South Africa—offers unique professional environments, rich food traditions, and exciting career paths for culinary professionals.
If you’re ready to take your skills global, Placement International can help you find a culinary internship or job in top kitchens around the world. We work with leading hotels, restaurants, and hospitality groups to place young talent exactly where they need to be.
Explore culinary programs with Placement International and start your international chef journey today.
