The opportunity to work at celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s restaurant is something most young chefs could only dream of.

But that dream has become a reality for five Bermuda College culinary arts students.

Raeven White, Shayne Trott, Priya Ratteray, Eron Woods and Kadian Bean will be interning at the Island’s new pop-up restaurant ‘Samuelsson at HP’, open from now until August 3.

A deserving young chef will also be given the chance to get work experience at one of Mr Samuelsson’s restaurants overseas.

Ms Bean, 25, described it as “a once in a lifetime experience” and admitted she was thrilled to get to work alongside talented chefs and learn more about her craft.

“When I heard they were offering these internships I thought ‘I have to do this’ because I have seen Marcus Samuelsson on the Food Network Channel, so to get the opportunity to work at one of his restaurants is amazing, especially seeing that I am just out of college and landed this great internship. I jumped on the chance immediately,” she said.

Mr White, 19, agreed that the internship was a “great experience” and something he might not ordinarily have the chance to do.

“It’s great to work in a restaurant that is known for the chef,” he said. “And it’s great to get paid to do what you love. I would have still done it, even if we didn’t get paid, because it’s a great experience and it’s something you can use to build your skills.”

According to 20-year-old culinary arts student Mr Trott, being picked for the internship overseas would prove to him that he has what it takes to succeed in the industry.

But he said: “Even if I don’t get it, I still feel good having this experience.

“It’s something I can build on and I’ll have something good on my resume.”

Mr Trott decided to try his hand at cooking four years ago while at boarding school in Georgia. He said the food served as his school cafeteria was “really crappy”.

He started making his own meals and realised he had a knack at it.

Budding chef Mr Woods got his start in the kitchen in Primary Six, when he was allowed to shadow a chef at Mid Ocean Club for a day.

Despite having short term internships at Willowbank and Southampton Princess, he said the summer job at ‘Samuelsson at HP’ was an “awesome experience”.

“I’m hoping to get wisdom from already established chefs and it’s just good to see what other opportunities are out there for me, so I don’t limit myself.” he said.

The 18-year-old said his ultimate goal would be to own his own restaurant one day.

Priya Ratteray, 23, said she was excited to start her internship and the prospect of learning different skills from chefs from around the world.

She anticipates the biggest challenge will be timing everything perfectly, so that the sorbets and other frozen desserts arrive to the guests tables before they melt.

She hopes the internship will teach her new things and help open her eyes to new ways of doing things.