Best Culinary Arts colleges in Illinois 2021

When you pursue a culinary arts degree, you pursue the knowledge to run a kitchen, the power to please hungry customers, and the skills to turn food into art. A culinary arts program teaches you more than just how to sauté onions or plate a fanciful meal. You’ll also learn the science behind cooking, the nutritional value of food, kitchen and business management skills, how to keep everything sanitary, and how the world eats.

Studying culinary arts is perfect for students who are passionate about food. However, learning the art of cooking also demands a dedication to pleasing others, a thick skin for when you can’t, and a lot of energy to keep up. Often taught by chef instructors, courses include lessons that challenge your creativity and critical thinking skills. They will require you to perform in both hands-on laboratory environments (cooking in a kitchen) and sit-down classrooms (sometimes with demo kitchens). To prep you for the culinary industry, you’ll also learn how to supervise a food service operation, handle business documents, and work like a professional chef. In the end, you’ll fit into positions such as a food prep supervisor, short-order cook, head chef, nutritionist, baker, or food service manager.