Illinois Culinary Schools

Culinary Schools in Illinois

If you are looking for a culinary education in Illinois, some of your best opportunities may lie in Chicago, Aurora and Melrose Park. However, there are a plethora of options that can be found right at your finger tips. You can look into some of the state’s best culinary institutes, or you could break the educational boundaries a little bit and obtain a complete degree online. There are universities that offer programs so that you can be trained right from the comfort of your own home. It’s just a matter of how you learn best.

If you just want to get a starting position in the food industry, a simple certificate from a one year vocational program should suffice. If your aspirations are to be a general manager of a restaurant, you might want to jump up to a two year program at a community college. Beyond that, you can get a degree from a four year university which will prepare you for just about any position in the field. With that you should be able to take total control of a restaurant.

Tips for Choosing a Culinary School

You will probably choose a school based on location and financial aid, but you might also want to consider a few other factors before rushing into a decision. For one, do you know how experienced the staff is? If you have a poorly equipped faculty, you will turn into a poorly equipped student. It’s as simple as that. Thus you need to look for a knowledgeable set of professors, as well as a properly equipped student kitchen to train in. Working in a student run restaurant may also be a bonus, so see if there is one available at your university of choice.

Learning the Local Food Culture

The best way to fully understand the culinary culture around you is to just go out and experience it. Check out the restaurants and markets in the area to get a good sense of what food you have to work with. One thing that may prove beneficial for you is to go to a local food festival where you might find an eclectic mix of tastes from the community. Look into one of the ones listed below:

• Illinois Deer and Turkey Classic – Bloomington
• Long Grove Chocolate Festival – Long Grove
• Rhubarb Fest – Aledo
• Real Men Cook – Chicago
• DeKalb Corn Fest – DeKalb

Get Your Chef’s Whites and Get a Job

By getting an internship in the field, you can gain direct work experience that will aid you after graduation. Check out the food organizations around you to see if they offer any internships.
With them you may also find scholarships or even job opportunities.

The amount of money you earn in the food industry greatly depends on your own passion. If you aspire to get a high paying job, you very well can. Starting pay usually sits right around $35,000, but that number could increase by leaps and bounds if you play your cards right. Just use your skills and education and you should be a success.

Illinois Technical Colleges Offering Culinary and Pastry Arts, Restaurant Management, and/or Hospitality Degrees

• Robert Morris College – Aurora, Bensenville, Chicago, Orland Park, Peoria, Springfield, Waukegan
• Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America – Chicago
• The Art Institutes – Chicago, Schaumburg
• Kendall College – Chicago
• Lincoln College of Technology – Melrose Park
• Ashworth College – Online