Culinary Schools in Island Lake IL

CULINARY SCHOOLS > ILLINOIS > ISLAND LAKE

We list the best Culinary Schools in Island Lake IL. Job growth indicates an estimated 5% growth.



Earnings are dependent upon where along with in the type of establishment one works. Your median annual salary associated with chefs as well as head cooks is $42,490. Most culinary schools offer a strong opportunity for acceptance into their school – typically about 75-80% acceptance rate.

Cooks normally must possess physical endurance, manual dexterity along with a good sense of taste and scent. They must have the ability to function like a member of any team. Chefs as well as head cooks should have the creativity to produce recipes. They should be reasonable leaders and have good communication and time management skills.

Island Lake IL Culinary Schools






College of Lake County

19351 W Washington St.,
Grayslake, Illinois
10.98 miles away

Phone: (847) 543-2000

2-year or less, public program, 17389 enrolled, 18 to 1 student to teacher ratio





Harper College

1200 W Algonquin Rd,
Palatine, Illinois
14.76 miles away

Phone: (847) 925-6000

2-year or less, public program, 16007 enrolled, 21 to 1 student to teacher ratio





Elgin Community College

1700 Spartan Drive,
Elgin, Illinois
18.82 miles away

Phone: (847) 697-1000

2-year or less, public program, 11811 enrolled, 23 to 1 student to teacher ratio


Chef Cooking Schools & Programs

A chef can get basic certification that demonstrates to an employer that they have achieved a specific level of culinary proficiency, while classroom and hand-on instruction can elevate a culinary career to new heights. 44% of high level chefs have a culinary degree.


If you prefer to explore certification in the culinary field, the below certificates are highly regarded throughout the culinary industry. In order to obtain your certification, you may need to have some work experience in the field, take a written exam, and renewals may be required every few years.

Certification Name Certifying Organization
Certified Correctional Food Systems Manager American Correctional Food Service Association
Certified Chef de Cuisine American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Executive Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Master Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Personal Certified Executive Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Foodservice Professional Certification North American Assoc. of Food Equip. Manufacturers
ProChef Level III Certification The Culinary Institute of America
Certified Personal Chef United States Personal Chef Association
Certified Correctional Foodservice Professional American Correctional Food Service Association
Certified Culinary Administrator American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Executive Pastry Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Master Pastry Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Sous Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Working Pastry Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Decorator Retail Bakers of America
Certified Wedding Planner The Wedding Planning Institute


Baking and Pastry Schools

Specific culinary programs and schools are available that focus on baking and pastry creations. Such programs are quicker to complete and offer a very specialized and valuable skill set.

How Long Does Culinary School Take?

The time needed to finish a culinary degree will depend on the avenue taken. Professional culinary degrees can range from 2 to 4 years at top programs. There are shorter options that take a few months to a year for more specialized training that are more focused towards lower entry culinary jobs.


What Is The Cost of Culinary School?

The cost of a culinary degree depends on what a person is aiming to achieve in the culinary field. Some careers such as Food Scientists and Nutritionists require a degree to have success in their field. If the goal is to become an executive chef, an official degree from a known culinary program will be very valuable. On the other hand, someone can become a successful chef by starting in an entry level position and working their way up. Experience is important in the culinary field. It's important to understand and balance the formal education along with actual experience. These two factors play an important role in the assessment of cost and overall success of someone's culinary career.

The cost to attend a top culinary program can range around $20,000 to $50,000 per year. On the other hand, there is a lower cost path to a culinary degree via community colleges and technical schools. Costs typically range from $2,000 to $5,000. Public universities are also a good option but are more expensive, typically ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 in tuition per year.