Culinary, Hospitality & Tourism


This pathway is a great fit if you are a creative team player who enjoys learning new things and hands-on work. You can expect opportunities to compete across the nation and dedicated professors with industry experience.

Some highlights include:

  • Award-winning faculty, such as Tim Bucci, who earned a Certified Master Chef title in 2019, and Andy Chlebana, who won first place while competing on the Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship in 2016
  • Hands-on learning opportunities with the latest equipment, such as JJC’s two student-run and operated restaurants, Saveur and Thrive
  • Flexibility in course offerings, especially for those who want to work in the hospitality, event planning, restaurant or hotel industry

Culinary Arts

The Culinary Arts program at JJC offers students a first-class education at one of the most highly respected culinary programs in the nation, and in one of the most state-of-the-art facilities in the world.

Hospitality Management

Hospitality is the second largest industry in the United States, employing nearly 14 million people. JJC graduates have gone on to land a wide variety of careers in this field, including jobs in restaurants, hotels, casinos, special events and meeting planning.

  • About Us | Contact Information

    What Will I Learn?

    Students pursuing a certificate or degree in this program will learn the basic skills needed to become a supervisor or manager in the hospitality industry. Faculty use real world examples to help students learn the fundamentals of the hotel Industry, the restaurant industry and the meetings industry. 

    Contact Information

    Anne Esquivel
    Professor
    Room: T-2035
    Phone: 815.280.2448
    Email: agean@jjc.edu

Transfer to a Four-Year School

You can save thousands on your education by attending JJC your first two years compared to a four-year public or private institution.

Study Abroad

As a member of the Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs (ICISP), JJC offers many study abroad opportunities around the world for students of any major. Destinations include Japan, Costa Rica, England, France and more!

  • How to Study Abroad

    At JJC, you can choose to study abroad during the fall, spring or summer semesters. All students who want to study abroad should fill out an application and have it completed by the deadlines below.

    • Spring Program: October 15
    • Summer Program: February 15
    • Fall Program: May 15
       

    More on Study Abroad

Careers

All career information sourced from: https://www.onetonline.org/

  • Bakers

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Bakers

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2023 28,290 4,681
    2024 28,910
    2025 29,432
    2026 29,891
    2027 30,279

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Bakers

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $28,207.69 $35,979.58
    25 $32,314.78
    50 $35,979.58
    75 $42,339.78
    90 $53,269.15

    Education Attainment Levels - Bakers

    Education Attainment Levels (By Percent)
    A High School Diploma Or Less 82.47
    A Certificate 8.06
    Some College 9.47
    An Associate Degree 0.00
    A Bachelor's Degree 0.00
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 0.00
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00
  • Chefs and Head Cooks

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Chefs and Head Cooks

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2023 24,992 3,491
    2024 25,631
    2025 26,174
    2026 26,634
    2027 27,039

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Chefs and Head Cooks

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $36,885.43 $57,906.71
    25 $44,878.33
    50 $57,906.71
    75 $75,257.81
    90 $102,769.15

    Education Attainment Levels - Chefs and Head Cooks

    Education Attainment Levels (By Percent)
    A High School Diploma Or Less 13.80
    A Certificate 17.24
    Some College 3.45
    An Associate Degree 51.72
    A Bachelor's Degree 13.79
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 0.00
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00
  • Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2023 27,781 5,105
    2024 28,745
    2025 29,579
    2026 30,318
    2027 30,995

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $33,841.65 $40,066.17
    25 $35,891.30
    50 $40,066.17
    75 $46,929.10
    90 $57,688.34

    Education Attainment Levels - Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Education Attainment Levels (By Percent)
    A High School Diploma Or Less 73.08
    A Certificate 14.21
    Some College 5.85
    An Associate Degree 0.08
    A Bachelor's Degree 6.78
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 0.00
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00
  • Food Service Managers

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Food Service Managers

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2023 53,025 6,614
    2024 54,056
    2025 54,915
    2026 55,655
    2027 56,318

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Food Service Managers

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $30,838.18 $54,997.08
    25 $39,825.72
    50 $54,997.08
    75 $74,272.03
    90 $107,532.25

    Education Attainment Levels - Food Service Managers

    Education Attainment Levels (By Percent)
    A High School Diploma Or Less 70.56
    A Certificate 4.83
    Some College 18.35
    An Associate Degree 0.71
    A Bachelor's Degree 5.54
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 0.00
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00
  • Lodging Managers

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Lodging Managers

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2023 7,141 966
    2024 7,284
    2025 7,407
    2026 7,511
    2027 7,612

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Lodging Managers

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $32,428.65 $59,596.15
    25 $41,333.83
    50 $59,596.15
    75 $95,876.21
    90 $174,460.84

    Education Attainment Levels - Lodging Managers

    Education Attainment Levels (By Percent)
    A High School Diploma Or Less 19.47
    A Certificate 0.00
    Some College 5.89
    An Associate Degree 3.05
    A Bachelor's Degree 71.60
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 0.00
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00
  • Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2023 18,170 2,244
    2024 18,674
    2025 19,081
    2026 19,436
    2027 19,739

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $32,816.62 $60,191.33
    25 $43,480.35
    50 $60,191.33
    75 $84,199.79
    90 $126,587.25

    Education Attainment Levels - Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

    Education Attainment Levels (By Percent)
    A High School Diploma Or Less 7.85
    A Certificate 6.64
    Some College 37.22
    An Associate Degree 7.49
    A Bachelor's Degree 40.80
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 0.00
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00