Culinary

This program helps participants apply for an entry-level job at a restaurant to start thir culinary career. This includes: food handling certificate, job readiness skills, food preparation, equipment identification, knife skills, product identification, safe food-storage practices, cooking methods, nutrition, and more.

Timeline: All sessions are 8-weeks with a 4-week paid internship. Class is held Monday through Thursday unless otherwise noted.

The City Colleges of Chicago offers the least expensive and fastest pathway for Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, and Baking and Pastry Arts. You pay tuition, but most should be covered through FAFSA.

Timeline: 4 - 8 months for Basic Certificate, longer for Advanced or Associate's. Sign up on a traditional college semester timeline.

FREE culinary training program with a 75% job placement rate. Silver Fork students are supplied with a locker, uniform during class, and CTA transportation

Timeline: Classes meet on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10am-3pm at the Center on Halsted for 6 weeks.

A Safe Haven offers free job training programs in the culinary arts and welding.  The culinary arts curriculum focuses on learning kitchen fundamentals and techniques, including stock, soup, and sauce preparation, knife skills, weights and measurements, cooking methods, seasoning and flavoring. After completing the program, participants are prepared for the Food Service Sanitation Manager Certificate.

Timeline: The culinary arts program is 8 weeks.

Note: Upon graduation, students receive assistance with job placement in culinary, hospitality, and catering roles.