ICE volunteering event with Top Chef's Stephanie Izard and ICE students

Volunteering & Networking

Discover the Variety of Ways to Get Involved

New York and Los Angeles offer some of the most vibrant culinary scenes in the world — and ICE is your connection.

For ICE students, that means ongoing opportunities to work alongside the biggest names in food and hospitality. ICE itself is a hub of culinary networking opportunities, whether hosting a high-profile cookbook launch, a well-respected charity event or inviting an acclaimed entrepreneur to share their secrets of success.

Connected Staff

To maintain this network, our faculty and staff actively participate in a wide range of professional groups and non-profit associations related to the food and hospitality industry, including the James Beard Foundation, The LA Times, C-CAP, IACP, Les Dames d’Escoffier, New York Women’s Culinary Alliance, The Pasadena Playhouse, City Harvest, Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions, Slow Food, Action Against Hunger, National Restaurant Association and many more. Our connections are your connections, forming a framework of ICE networking resources that will support you throughout your culinary career.

Past Events

Here’s a look at just some of the many high-profile events ICE students have participated in.

Students are provided with ICE volunteer resources in the weekly student newsletter.

Students working at NYCWFF booth through ICE culinary volunteer resources

New York City Wine & Food Festival

The NYCWFF is a beloved annual NYC gathering of culinary greats. Chefs and restaurants from across the city host dinner parties, masterclasses and much more — most of which are located right at ICEs' New York City campus. Students often have ample opportunities to volunteer and learn at the festival, which is over the course of multiple days in the fall.

Students from ICE networking and volunteering with top culinary talent

Citymeals on Wheels' Chef's Tribute

At this star-studded philanthropic gala, students volunteer alongside celebrity chefs to raise money to provide food for thousands of elderly New Yorkers.

Food & Wine Best New Chefs

Every year, Food & Wine magazine recognizes up-and-coming chefs in the hospitality industry. Past winners range from David Chang to Thomas Keller to Nancy Silverton. Students have assisted Best New Chef winners participating in the annual awards ceremony.

James Beard Foundation Awards

The James Beard Awards are the highest honor for food and beverage professionals working in North America. Whenever the event is held in New York, you can see ICE students volunteering to assist with food preparation for the gala reception and dinner, as well as the Book, Broadcast & Journalism awards dinner.

More about James Beard Awards

Mina Pizarro is an ICE graduate and a Star Chefs Rising Star Chef

StarChefs.com Annual International Chefs Congress

This three-day culinary symposium brings together more than 140 of the world's leading chefs, pastry chefs, mixologists and sommeliers each year. ICE students have regularly assisted these culinary innovators with their presentations on the latest techniques and concepts in the field.

Dessert Professional Top 10 Pastry Chefs

This annual celebration of America's best pastry chefs was held at ICE for more than ten years, with students helping chefs with set up, food preparation, plating and service.