Culinary Arts Schools in Illinois
Though the state’s landscape is covered with cornfields, Illinois restaurants couldn’t be more diverse. For one, Illinois' strong immigrant background means that tasty cuisine from all around the world can be found there. Think top-notch Jewish delicatessens, Chinese and Thai fares, and Polish delicacies. Chicago has its share of signature dishes, like its Chicago-style deep-dish pizza and Polish dogs. And in addition to traditional and hearty meat-and-potatoes Midwestern fare, Illinois is culinary innovation is at its best. Take molecular gastronomy, for example, featured in select Illinois restaurants. At his flagship restaurant in Chicago, Chef Grant Achatz creates seemingly impossible culinary surprises, like lychee bubbles filled with sage vapor on oysters. Wherever their ambitions lie, students in Illinois culinary schools have the opportunity to draw from these examples, and more.
Careers and Culinary Schools in Illinois
The Bureau of Labor Statistics listed Illinois as one of the top states in the country for chef and head cook employment levels. They also reported that the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet metropolitan area has especially high employment levels for those positions. In addition, the National Restaurant Association reports that 9 percent of Illinois residents work in the restaurant sector with 7.4 percent growth expected during the next decade. As a result, more than 38,100 new jobs could be created in the state between 2012 and 2022.
While a degree in the culinary arts is not always a requirement to gain employment in the fast-paced restaurant world, a solid degree might help you advance in your career. Make sure to be fully aware of your options – if you're thinking of pursuing a culinary education in the state, be sure to peruse our list Illinois culinary schools below. Culinary arts schools, along with baking and pastry schools, are located throughout the state, so choose the one that looks right for you.
Additional Information on Culinary Colleges in Illinois from Chef2chef.net
Hotel Management Schools in Illinois
Additional Resources and Information for Culinary Students
The 2012 Zagat Survey on dining trends
National Restaurant Association information on Illinois’ restaurant sector
Bureau of Labor Statistics information for chef and head cook careers
Chicagoist blog: Interview with molecular gastronomist Grant Achatz
Browse These Illinois Culinary Schools to Get Started!
This list also contains online schools that accept students from Illinois.
With an Art Institutes education, imagine what you could create.
- Chicago
Get hands-on training with Le Cordon Bleu Schools of North America.
- Chicago
Advance your career with our affordable, self-paced, career-focused distance education programs.
- Online
- Hotel/Restaurant Management
- Caterer
Earn Your Diploma from Home!
- Online
- Cooking and Catering
Kaplan University is focused on recognizing the achievements of military and veteran students and offers the flexibility of an online education.
- Online
- AAS in Business Administration - Hospitality Management
Your creativity is a big part of who you are and where you’re going. To take it, and your future, as far as you want, you need an education that’s focused on developing your talents and putting you on the path toward the creative career that stirs your imagination. A collaborative education at The Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta, is all about the work, the students who create it, and the instructors who guide them.
The first step is to explore these areas of study, and think about where you fit in an industry that runs on ideas.
- Online
- Hotel & Restaurant Management (BS)
- Culinary Management (BS)
Earn your degree or diploma on your schedule and succeed at Ashworth College.
- Online
- Hotel/Restaurant Management
Other Illinois Culinary Schools
| School Name | City or Town | Programs Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Belleville Area College | Belleville | Culinary Arts/Chef Training |
| Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais | Family and Consumer Sciences |
| Southern Illinois University - Carbondale | Carbondale | Hospitality & Tourism |
| Kaskaskia College | Centralia | Advanced Cooking |
| Parkland College | Champaign | Foodservice |
| City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College | Chicago | Hospitality |
| City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College | Chicago | Baking and Pastry Arts |
| French Pastry School | Chicago | Pastry Arts |
| Lexington College | Chicago | Associate of Applied Science Degree - Hospitality Management |
| Robert Morris College - Chicago | Chicago | Associate Degree Culinary Arts |
| Roosevelt University | Chicago | Hospitality & Tourism Management |
| Westwood College of Technology | Chicago | Hospitality Administration |
| Northern Illinois University | Dekalb | Nutrition, Dietetics and Hospitality |
| Illinois Central College | East Peoria | Culinary Arts - Associate in Applied Science |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin | Baker/Pastry Arts |
| College of Du Page | Glen Ellyn | Baking and Pastry Arts |
| College of Dupage | Glen Ellyn | Culinary Arts (AAS) |
| Southwestern Illinois College | Granite City | Certificate in Chef's Apprentice |
| College of Lake County | Grayslake | Hospitality and Culinary Management |
| Rend Lake College | Ina | Culinary Arts Management |
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet | Culinary Arts |
| Black Hawk College | Moline | Travel, Tourism & Hospitality |
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine | Hospitality Management |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills | Culinary Arts |
| Triton College | River Grove | Baking & Pastry Arts |
| Cooking wth the Best Chefs | Roselle | Baking & Cooking Classes |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield | Baking and Pastry Certificate |
| Shawnee Community College | Ullin | Hospitality/Food Management. |
| University of Illinois at Urbana | Urbana | Hospitality Management |
