Internship Testimonials

Samantha Azzarelli
Human Resources

Starting my career with Lettuce Entertain You as an intern gave me a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the Lettuce culture as well as the direction of my career. The hands-on nature of the internship experience paved the way for me. After my summer internship I was certain of my passion for the restaurant industry, but I also knew I did not want to be a restaurant manager. When a position opened up in the Human Resource office I knew that it would be a perfect fit. I have now been in my current position for 3 years and could not be happier with my decision. Without my experience as an intern I would not be where I am today. I truly believe the program gave me the exact tools to be successful with Lettuce.

Stacey Efstathiou
Social Media & Mobile Marketing Assistant

My internship at Lettuce Entertain You was invaluable. Admittedly, I knew very little about running a successful restaurant when I first began my internship while studying Hospitality Business at Michigan State University. I feel very lucky to have had the unique opportunity to learn all of the positions inside a restaurant in a hands-on environment. I was taught the importance of working as a team to deliver a superior experience for every customer. I still benefit from that lesson in my current position. Yet another lesson I have carried with me is just how much Lettuce cares for its people, from the customer all the way to their employees. After my internship, I was hired as Gift Card Assistant at the Lettuce Entertain You home office. Recently I was able to parlay my passion for social media into a new role as Social Media & Mobile Marketing Assistant. I couldn’t have gotten where I am today without the support and mentorship from Geoff Alexander, Sarah Johnson, Sue Chernoff, Anna Stargardt and Jasmine Huffman.

Adam Rochman
General Manager of Wildfire Glenview

My experiences with the Lettuce Entertain You Internship program were the foundation for my career with the company. I immediately felt welcomed into the Lettuce family and began to understand the organization's culture that would later come to define my personal management style. I was exposed to the operations of multiple Lettuce concepts, working with different cuisines, service styles and managers, gaining tremendous perspective to the challenges and rewards of the industry. The experiences clarified my desire to work for the company and focused my goals for the future. I created lasting relationships with Lettuce managers tapping their knowledge and industry experience as a reference throughout school and the early days of my own management career. Today's internship program is stronger and more valuable than ever. The student and the store in which they are placed both benefit greatly from this unique and challenging opportunity.

Paula Nevruz 
Special Project Manager at Shaw's Crab House

Looking back on my internship, I realize how much it actually taught me about Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.  Working as a cook, I saw first hand how important each employee was to the success of the restaurant.  I was able to see, use and learn the operational and training systems that Lettuce is know for.  While in college, I was debating whether to pursue a chef career or management career.  My internship helped me realize that with Lettuce, I could be a manager and still be very involved in the menu and kitchen operations.  One of the highlights of the program was our weekly meetings with some of our founding partners and executive partners.  I was very impressed with the advice, knowledge and time each of the partners gave us. Overall, my internship gave me a great glimpse of the Lettuce Entertain You culture.

Ben Miller
General Manager of Paris Club

Being an intern with the company proved vital to my continuing understanding and appreciation for the Lettuce culture. The summer acted as a springboard for my soon to be three months of management training. I certainly felt I had an advantage over other new managers in the company because I had met and listened to some of the high profile partners speak throughout the summer program. I truly believe the program gave me a foundation which has helped me achieve the success that I have reached within the restaurant business so far.

Page Louisell
Digital Marketing & Design Coordinator at Lettuce Entertain You Corporate

I began my first internship with Lettuce Entertain You in the summer of 2008 working for Jen Bell, the Director of Website Marketing & Corporate Public Relations. She was in the midst of building the brand new (and very complex) Lettuce website, leye.com, and I can only imagine what a nuisance it must have been to bring an intern on board in the middle of development and take the time to explain things that otherwise could have been completed instantly. But rather than passing along meaningless tasks just to fill the hours, Jen did take the time to explain the reason behind every project and, in turn, taught me more in just one summer than I ever could have imagined. When the internship program came to a close, I had a resume of gold that probably could have opened many more doors the following summer, but I knew nothing else could surpass the experience I gained working with Jen at Lettuce Entertain You. I ended up coming back the following summer going into my senior year at Indiana University and was then hired the following spring right before graduation. It was the best graduation gift I ever could have received!