From its humble beginnings as a single culinary school in Paris, Le Cordon Bleu is now a chain of 29 culinary schools scattered across five continents where students are taught by master chefs from Michelin-star restaurants. Chicago is home to one of these 29 schools and students here can choose from two programs, pastry baking or culinary arts. The program lasts for one year and leads to a Le Grand Diplôme Le Cordon Bleu qualification.
The Institute of Art consists of 45 schools spread across America and Chicago is one of the locations. The highly rated culinary course organizes internships for students as well as providing the opportunity for them to cook in the Institute's own student-run restaurants. Students can earn degrees in professional baking & pastry, hospitality management, culinary arts and culinary management. Associate, professional and bachelor's degrees are offered.
Kendall College was named the international cooking school of the year in the 2008 Academy of the Culinary Arts Culinary Academy Awards, being awarded the Cordon d' Or (Gold Ribbon). Culinary programs at Kendall College teach business management as well as cooking skills. Certificates are available for baking and pastry, professional cookery and catering or personal chef. There are culinary arts, culinary arts-nutrition concentration and hospitality management courses that lead to a bachelor of arts. Students can earn associate degrees in baking and pastry, culinary arts and accelerated culinary arts, a program that requires a bachelor of arts to enter.
Kennedy King College offers pastry chef and bakery courses, as well as a culinary arts course. The French Pastry School offers students the chance to study French pastry skills from its culinary school in Chicago. Students can choose the Professional Pastry and Baking Program, a 24-week course that leads to a certificate in pastry, baking, and confectionery arts. Or they can study the 16-week course, the Professional Cake Decorating and Baking Program. Lexington College also offers a culinary arts program.