Culinary Arts Schools in Illinois

The Bureau of Labor statistics expect the demand and employment rate for chefs and head cooks across the country to increase by 8% from now to 2033. This average is faster than the average for other operations and applies to the state of Illinois as well.

Professionals in the field usually start their careers by following set guidelines that allow them to secure favorable employment as quickly as possible and help them grow on the job. Naturally, anyone who would like to enter the profession must be aware of these requirements and considerations as well.

To help candidates achieve this objective, we have provided an in-depth guide below covering the requirements to become a successful chef in Illinois. We explore educational options, specific training programs, certification possibilities, and salary projections, among other things.

How to Become a Chef in Illinois

The following is the approach adopted by most candidates launching a successful culinary arts career in Illinois.

Academic Training

Unsurprisingly, candidates who attend an academic training program to start their culinary arts careers in Illinois often have an edge thanks to their educational background and degrees/certificates. Individuals who may be concerned about their schedules may also make the process easier by going for online or hybrid culinary arts training programs.

The best academic culinary arts programs also help graduates secure hands-on learning opportunities in actual restaurants and establishments.

Practical Training

Academic training is great, but it is not the only way to become a successful chef/culinary artist. Candidates may also choose to go straight to practical training in the real world and learn under experienced professionals.

Apprenticeship programs are great for this approach.

Many candidates don’t choose between one or the other and instead combine academic training with practical education.

Employment & Career Growth

Graduates of culinary arts programs can work in restaurants, catering businesses, or food trucks, or they can develop business management skills and start their businesses. Many chefs also specialize in specific areas, such as international cuisines, plant-based cooking, and grilling.

Certification and networking are common ways to facilitate career growth in this discipline. In the next section, we analyze the major considerations for achieving this objective.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• How to become a dental assistant in Illinois

Licensure & Certification Requirements

In the state of Illinois, all chefs need a food handler’s license. Candidates may secure employment without this license but must obtain one within 30 days of being placed.

The license requires passing an approved food safety course and passing scores on an examination.

Kitchen managers must obtain a five-year Certified Food Protection Manager certification. The American Culinary Foundation offers a series of professional credentials for chefs and culinary artists in Illinois, but these are not compulsory by law.

Among them is the Certified Master Chef credential.

Top Culinary Arts Schools in Illinois

These are some of the top training programs for prospective chefs in Illinois.

Explore culinary arts schools in Illinois by city:

• Culinary arts schools in Chicago

Salary & Career Outlook

As mentioned earlier, the projections for chefs in Illinois and across the country are quite favorable, with an employment increase of 8% up until 2033. This will see around 20,000 job openings every year on average.

As for $79,151 current earning power, chefs in Illinois can expect to manage an annual average salary of $41,863 if they are among the bottom 10%, an annual average salary of $79,151 if they are among the top 10%, and $57,563 if they are among the median earners, which is the most popular category.

Factors that distinguish the highest-paid from the lowest-paid include experience, professional credentials, place of employment, educational background, and more.

Location is also a key determinant. Champaign has the highest average annual salary for chefs in Illinois, at $75,754. Evanston and Des Plaines are also notable, with annual average salaries of $70,620 and $64,376, respectively.

Chefs in Chicago earn an annual average of $60,178.