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 25,523 4,348
    2024 26,139
    2025 26,653
    2026 27,102
    2027 27,480

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Bakers

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $30,533.18 $36,470.42
    25 $32,901.87
    50 $36,470.42
    75 $44,642.96
    90 $54,437.86

    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 31,527 4,544
    2024 32,326
    2025 32,992
    2026 33,566
    2027 34,064

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Chefs and Head Cooks

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $35,672.70 $57,603.83
    25 $45,610.84
    50 $57,603.83
    75 $75,406.23
    90 $98,884.34

    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 28,209 5,298
    2024 29,267
    2025 30,173
    2026 30,965
    2027 31,686

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $36,031.60 $44,580.16
    25 $37,895.77
    50 $44,580.16
    75 $49,478.88
    90 $59,086.15

    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 58,259 7,744
    2024 59,423
    2025 60,397
    2026 61,236
    2027 61,988

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Food Service Managers

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $35,410.17 $59,914.95
    25 $42,324.19
    50 $59,914.95
    75 $78,139.11
    90 $107,685.39

    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 7,233 904
    2024 7,396
    2025 7,529
    2026 7,645
    2027 7,753

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Lodging Managers

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $36,344.56 $70,335.38
    25 $51,888.25
    50 $70,335.38
    75 $99,215.55
    90 $171,286.61

    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 19,699 2,578
    2024 20,215
    2025 20,639
    2026 21,003
    2027 21,318

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

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $36,575.98 $62,845.67
    25 $47,048.57
    50 $62,845.67
    75 $85,419.13
    90 $128,445.13

    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

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