A.A.S. in Culinary Arts

About the A.A.S. in Culinary Arts

Kendall College’s two-year* Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts degree program combines the art and science of cooking with restaurant management practices at the No. 1 culinary school in Chicago. Alongside rigorous culinary training at the, you’ll investigate leadership and business strategies you’ll need to excel in a career in food.

You’ll start by exploring the fundamentals of cooking, then move on to advanced culinary techniques and skills. You’ll apply your knowledge as you prepare food for Kendall College’s on-campus venues, including our Zagat-rated, Michelin Guide-recommended fine-dining restaurant, The Dining Room. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to enter any caliber of restaurant and achieve roles of significant responsibility in the professional kitchen.

If you choose, you’ll also have the option to continue your study and complete your B.A. in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management in two years.*

*Time to completion may vary and is dependent on the student’s course load and successful completion of the courses. There is also an accelerated A.A.S. option that can be completed in a little over a year (see details below).

Program Highlights

Hands-On Experience

Hone your culinary chops with 30 credits of lab courses in our kitchen classrooms. Gain real-world culinary experience during an 300-hour supervised internship at a Chicago restaurant. You’ll receive regular feedback from your mentor and experience a fast-paced restaurant environment before you graduate.

World-Class Facilities

Enjoy access to state-of-the-art facilities as you perfect your craft. Our kitchen classrooms are equipped with the latest in culinary technology, and you’ll also gain experience working at our Michelin Guide-recommended, Zagat-rated, fine-dining campus restaurant, The Dining Room.

Expert Faculty

Learn from some of the most respected culinary minds today, including esteemed restaurant owners, certified master bakers, and influential published authors that will enrich your experience and help open doors of opportunity for you beyond the classroom.

A Complete Education

Supplement your culinary skills with courses in restaurant management, such as purchasing, staff supervision and financial management. You’ll also build a broad base of knowledge with 25 credits of general skills development.

Accelerated Option

Kendall College at NLU also offers the Accelerated A.A.S. in Culinary Arts degree. The program consists of a 5 quarters and mirrors the 7-quarter program content. Because accelerated students must already have a bachelor's degree to qualify, it is possible to waive most or all of the General Education requirements, allowing the accelerated program to be compressed from 7 to 5 quarters. 

Accreditation

The American Culinary Federation Education Foundation accrediting commission accredits Kendall College's A.A.S in Culinary Arts program.

What You Will Learn

72% Culinary Arts Courses, 28% General Education Courses: You’ll first master basic cooking techniques before moving on to advanced skills in a variety of different cuisines, along with building your business skills in courses in restaurant management. The A.A.S. in Culinary Arts culminates with a 300-hour internship at a Chicago restaurant under the guidance of an experienced mentor. Highlights of what you’ll learn include:

Basic Culinary Skills

Knife skills; Culinary terminology; Food science principles; Professionalism; Sautéing, roasting and grilling; Braising and stewing; Menu development and evaluation; Starches, proteins and vegetables.

Advanced Culinary Skills

Timing and plating; Seafood, meats and sauces; Café production; Alcohol service; Dining room service; Pickling, sausage-making, smoking and canning; Special events and banquets; Menu planning.

Business and Management

Accounting concepts; Financial statement analysis; accounting controls in food service; Purchasing food and beverages; Vendor relationships; Receiving and storing methods; Inventory control; Product identification; Human resources management; Maintaining a customer base; Managing and leading a foodservice organization.

Nutrition and Sanitation

HACCP; Kitchen hygiene; Food contamination and illnesses; Pest management; Evaluating nutritional information; Food allergies and chronic disease prevention; Recipe nutrient analysis; Vegetarian and vegan meal planning.

Career Outlook

A degree in Culinary Arts from Kendall College will give you a distinct competitive edge in the workplace when you start seeking career opportunities. 92 percent of Culinary Arts School graduates who sought employment within their fields of study reported employment within 6 months of graduation.

The foodservice industry continues to grow nationwide. Job opportunities for head chefs and cooks are expected to grow 6 percent from 2019-2029,* faster than the average growth for all other occupations. And with over 5,195 restaurants within the city, Chicago is the perfect place to launch your culinary career.

The following are some notable career paths you can pursue with a Culinary Arts degree from Kendall College:

• Chef
• Cheese Maker
• Cook
• Product Developer
• Research Chef
• Wedding Cake Consultant

*https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/chefs-and-head-cooks.htm