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Culinary school in Chicago, Illinois

20 culinary programs with results and funding that can make them free

11 schools offer these culinary arts programs with classes in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area, and every one is approved for workforce funding. Each shows how past students did; Illinois files no usable prices.

Chefs and head cooks run the daily food preparation in restaurants and other places that serve food. Most start with a high school diploma and kitchen experience; some go through a culinary program at a community college, technical school or culinary school, and others learn in an apprenticeship.1

In Chicago, 8 of the 20 programs take students without a high school diploma and 12 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 20 programs here are culinary apprenticeship (7 programs), culinary arts certificate or diploma (5 programs), culinary arts (associate degree, 3 programs), baking and pastry certificate or diploma (3 programs), and 2 more of 2 other kinds.

See the 20 programs

All 28 culinary programs in Illinois, including online programs

How much does culinary school cost in Chicago?

Not reported

Illinois files no usable prices, so none can be shown.

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not reported
None of the 20 programs report it
Working 6 months later
Not reported
None of the 20 programs report it
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
None of the 20 programs report it
Length
24 to 64 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Chicago may also offer culinary school. How these figures are made

Is there free culinary school in Chicago?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 20 culinary programs in Chicago approved for WIOA funding

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20 programs

  • Culinary arts (associate degree)HybridEducation and courses

    A.A.S. Degree in Culinary Arts Management

    Moraine Valley Community College

    Palos Hills

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Moraine Valley Community College, Palos HillsCulinary arts (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, A.A.S. Degree in Culinary Arts Management at Moraine Valley Community College
    More details about A.A.S. Degree in Culinary Arts Management at Moraine Valley Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, A.A.S. Degree in Culinary Arts Management at Moraine Valley Community College

  • Culinary apprenticeshipIn personNo diploma needed

    Advocate Aurora RAP Work Component

    Advocate Aurora Health RAP

    Downers Grove

    No diploma needed

    Advocate Aurora Health RAP, Downers GroveCulinary apprenticeshipIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    More details about Advocate Aurora RAP Work Component at Advocate Aurora Health RAP
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out

  • Culinary apprenticeshipIn personNo diploma needed

    Aurora Advocate Health RAP RTI/ITA KKC

    Advocate Aurora Health RAP

    Downers Grove

    No diploma needed

    Advocate Aurora Health RAP, Downers GroveCulinary apprenticeshipIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    More details about Aurora Advocate Health RAP RTI/ITA KKC at Advocate Aurora Health RAP
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    150 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out

  • Baking and pastry (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Baking & Pastry - AAS (KKC)

    Kennedy King College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Kennedy King College, ChicagoBaking and pastry (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Baking & Pastry - AAS (KKC) at Kennedy King College
    More details about Baking & Pastry - AAS (KKC) at Kennedy King College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    80 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Baking & Pastry - AAS (KKC) at Kennedy King College

  • Baking and pastry certificate or diplomaIn personEducation and courses

    Baking & Pastry- AC (KKC)

    Kennedy King College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Kennedy King College, ChicagoBaking and pastry certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Baking & Pastry- AC (KKC) at Kennedy King College
    More details about Baking & Pastry- AC (KKC) at Kennedy King College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Baking & Pastry- AC (KKC) at Kennedy King College

  • Baking and pastry certificate or diplomaIn personEducation and courses

    Baking and Pastry Certificate C306H

    Triton College

    River Grove

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Triton College, River GroveBaking and pastry certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Baking and Pastry Certificate C306H at Triton College
    More details about Baking and Pastry Certificate C306H at Triton College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Baking and Pastry Certificate C306H at Triton College

  • Baking and pastry certificate or diplomaIn personEducation and courses

    Bread and Pastry Arts Certificate

    Harper College

    Palatine

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Harper College, PalatineBaking and pastry certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Bread and Pastry Arts Certificate at Harper College
    More details about Bread and Pastry Arts Certificate at Harper College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Bread and Pastry Arts Certificate at Harper College

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personEducation and courses

    C420a Culinary Training Certificate

    Triton College

    River Grove

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Triton College, River GroveCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, C420a Culinary Training Certificate at Triton College
    More details about C420a Culinary Training Certificate at Triton College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, C420a Culinary Training Certificate at Triton College

  • Culinary apprenticeshipIn personNo diploma needed

    Chef & Head Cook Sous Chef Registered Apprenticeship Program

    United Youth of America Inc.

    Chicago

    No diploma needed

    United Youth of America Inc., ChicagoCulinary apprenticeshipIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    More details about Chef & Head Cook Sous Chef Registered Apprenticeship Program at United Youth of America Inc.
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    87 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out

  • Cooking and kitchen job trainingHybridPrerequisite courses

    Chef Training Program

    Chinese American Service League

    Chicago

    Prerequisite courses

    Chinese American Service League, ChicagoCooking and kitchen job trainingHybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Chef Training Program at Chinese American Service League
    More details about Chef Training Program at Chinese American Service League
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    12 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Chef Training Program at Chinese American Service League

  • Culinary apprenticeshipIn personNo diploma needed

    Cook/Culinary Registered Apprenticeship Program

    Elgin Comm. College District #509

    Elgin

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Elgin Comm. College District #509, ElginCulinary apprenticeship · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    School website, Cook/Culinary Registered Apprenticeship Program at Elgin Comm. College District #509
    More details about Cook/Culinary Registered Apprenticeship Program at Elgin Comm. College District #509
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Left out
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    School website, Cook/Culinary Registered Apprenticeship Program at Elgin Comm. College District #509

  • Culinary apprenticeshipIn personNo diploma needed

    Culinary Apprenticeship Program

    UNITEHERE-Chicago Hospitality Institute at Lakeside Center-McCormick Place

    Chicago

    No diploma needed

    UNITEHERE-Chicago Hospitality Institute at Lakeside Center-McCormick Place, ChicagoCulinary apprenticeshipIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    More details about Culinary Apprenticeship Program at UNITEHERE-Chicago Hospitality Institute at Lakeside Center-McCormick Place
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    12 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personEducation and courses

    Culinary Arts - BC (KKC)

    Kennedy King College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Kennedy King College, ChicagoCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Culinary Arts - BC (KKC) at Kennedy King College
    More details about Culinary Arts - BC (KKC) at Kennedy King College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Culinary Arts - BC (KKC) at Kennedy King College

  • Culinary arts (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    Culinary Arts AAS

    Elgin Comm. College District #509

    Elgin

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Elgin Comm. College District #509, ElginCulinary arts (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Culinary Arts AAS at Elgin Comm. College District #509
    More details about Culinary Arts AAS at Elgin Comm. College District #509
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    74 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Culinary Arts AAS at Elgin Comm. College District #509

  • Culinary apprenticeshipIn personNo diploma needed

    Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Program

    United Youth of America Inc.

    Chicago

    No diploma needed

    United Youth of America Inc., ChicagoCulinary apprenticeshipIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    More details about Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Program at United Youth of America Inc.
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    15 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaHybridPrerequisite courses

    Culinary Arts Certificate

    Food Hero

    Chicago

    Prerequisite courses

    Food Hero, ChicagoCulinary arts certificate or diplomaHybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Culinary Arts Certificate at Food Hero
    More details about Culinary Arts Certificate at Food Hero
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Culinary Arts Certificate at Food Hero

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personEducation and courses

    Culinary Arts Certificate Program

    Harper College

    Palatine

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Harper College, PalatineCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Culinary Arts Certificate Program at Harper College
    More details about Culinary Arts Certificate Program at Harper College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Culinary Arts Certificate Program at Harper College

  • Culinary arts (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Culinary Arts-AAS (KKC)

    Kennedy King College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Kennedy King College, ChicagoCulinary arts (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Culinary Arts-AAS (KKC) at Kennedy King College
    More details about Culinary Arts-AAS (KKC) at Kennedy King College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Culinary Arts-AAS (KKC) at Kennedy King College

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personPrerequisite courses

    Culinary Arts-AC (KKC)

    Kennedy King College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Kennedy King College, ChicagoCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Culinary Arts-AC (KKC) at Kennedy King College
    More details about Culinary Arts-AC (KKC) at Kennedy King College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Culinary Arts-AC (KKC) at Kennedy King College

  • Culinary apprenticeshipIn personNo diploma needed

    Registered Apprentceship -Cook

    Divine Assignment Leadership Academy

    Flossmoor

    No diploma needed

    Divine Assignment Leadership Academy, FlossmoorCulinary apprenticeshipIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    More details about Registered Apprentceship -Cook at Divine Assignment Leadership Academy
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out

How to pay for culinary school in Chicago

WIOA funding can pay for culinary school in Chicago

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for culinary school

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for culinary school

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Other training in Chicago

How culinary school compares with the rest of food and hospitality across Illinois: Culinary and hospitality programs in Illinois

Where the Chicago culinary arts program numbers come from

Which Chicago culinary arts programs are on this list?

These are the culinary arts programs with classes in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area that are approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Online programs are left out here; they are on the Illinois page. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what the area offers.

How the prices and results of Chicago culinary arts programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

How reliable are the Illinois figures?

The US Department of Labor's own results site lists Illinois among the states with "known data quality concerns".10 We leave out the share who finished for Illinois: only a few programs report it, and those at a typical 11%. We leave out prices for Illinois: the state files a code in place of each price, so no price can be shown.

Sources for the facts about culinary school in Chicago

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Chefs and Head Cooks
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List
  10. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: search page, note on states with known data quality concerns