Culinary Arts Programs in Chicago IL

School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College, Chicago:
The School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College, based in Chicago (along the Chicago River at Goose Island), IL, offers bachelors and associate degree programs designed to launch student careers in the foodservice industry. Students intern locally, nationally and internationally at hospitality and culinary venues. Instructors have strong professional and academic credentials, formal culinary training and at least ten years of professional experience.

Bachelor & Associate Degree Culinary Arts Programs:

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Culinary Arts
Through this program, students will gain solid culinary skills as well as a strong business foundation. Kendall’s four-year Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts degree is a thorough combination of:
- Cooking skills and techniques, both fundamental and advanced, that prepare graduates for fine-dining kitchens and other foodservice operations
- In-depth examination of international cuisine, including Latin and South America, the Mediterranean and Asia, as well as nutrition
- Business skills, from finance to marketing to personnel, which prepare students to plan, build, promote and sustain a food-related business
- Real-world experience through externships at local, national or international establishments as well as leadership opportunities via our teaching assistant program

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Culinary Arts
Students who are eager to acquire solid culinary skills and begin their career should strongly consider the AAS, Culinary Arts program. Over the course of seven quarters, students receive rigorous culinary training, leadership skills and the positive, collaborative attitude needed to excel in the foodservice world. At Kendall, we start with the fundamentals, then incorporate advanced culinary techniques and skills. Students hone through this knowledge by practicing them in real-world environments beyond the classroom, including the two Kendall restaurants and through mandatory internships.

AAS, Culinary Arts, Accelerated Program
Many of our students discover their true passion for food and foodservice later in life, after they've already acquired an undergraduate degree or spent decades in other industries. In just five quarters, the Accelerated AAS program at Kendall College gives students the same depth of culinary education as the traditional AAS program, without repeating general education requirements completed at other colleges.

AAS, Baking & Pastry
Our six-quarter, degree-granting Baking & Pastry program provides students with superior culinary training, applicable business skills and enriching general-education topics. Graduates of this program go on to work in bakeries, patisseries, restaurant and hotel kitchens, food corporations and more. Some of our students, including Hot Chocolate owner Mindy Segal, go on to own their own upscale businesses. Kendall College offers some truly excellent features seldom found in other baking and pastry programs. Not only do we have Certified Master Baker Melina Kelson-Podolsky on staff, but we also have an open-air baking hearth on campus grounds. These perks are merely in addition to stellar pastry lab kitchens where students will do most of their work.

Culinary Certificate Programs:

Baking & Pastry Certificate
Gain solid knowledge in basic and advanced forms and techniques, nutrition and sanitation and foodservice business planning.

Professional Cookery Certificate
Get the basic skills you need for entry-level work in a professional kitchen.

Personal Chef & Catering Certificate
Focus on building a wide range of culinary skills, plus how to cook for special diets and plan your own foodservice business.