Hospitality and Culinary Management
Associate in Applied Science- Cost
- $12,749*
Excel in creating guest experiences
You’re wondering if a career in culinary is for you. Then, you remember how your favorite dish makes you feel. Serve up that memory for guests whenever they enter your restaurant.
Start on the line and work up to being executive chef, where you can create experiences for guests in hotels, nightclubs, resorts or Michelin-starred restaurants anywhere in the world.
What can you do with a degree in Hospitality and Culinary Management?
You can stage with a chef to learn your way around a professional kitchen; get a scholarship—if needed—to transfer to a university or you can market your skills to culinary magazines and become a food stylist. Options include:
Start right away with your associate degree in roles such as:
- line cook
- prep cook
- station attendant
- caterer
With additional education or experience, you can become:
- lead cook
- executive chef, sous-chef, chef de cuisine
- pastry chef
- food service or restaurant manager
Highlights
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Career Degree
Earn an associate degree in 2 years and gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills. -
Program Length: 2 Years
Full-time students finish in 2 years. -
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available
Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college. -
Prairie at Brae Loch
Gain hands-on learning at this student-managed restaurant. -
WIOA Program
Eligible for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)-awarded vouchers.
Career Outlook
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Assist patrons at hotel, apartment, or office building with personal services. May take messages; arrange or give advice on transportation, business services, or entertainment; or monitor guest requests for housekeeping and maintenance.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $33,286
- Median
- $47,077
- Senior-Level
- $57,034
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $15.99
- Median
- $22.63
- Senior-Level
- $27.42
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 31.82%
- Certificate
- 9.09%
- Some college
- 27.27%
- Associate Degree
- 22.73%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 9.09%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Directly supervise and coordinate activities of entertainment and recreation related workers.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $31,467
- Median
- $51,205
- Senior-Level
- $83,738
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $15.12
- Median
- $24.61
- Senior-Level
- $40.26
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 26.91%
- Certificate
- 21.94%
- Associate Degree
- 16.66%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 34.49%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers in assigned gambling areas. May circulate among tables, observe operations, and ensure that stations and games are covered for each shift. May verify and pay off jackpots. May reset slot machines after payoffs and make repairs or adjustments to slot machines or recommend removal of slot machines for repair. May plan and organize activities and services for guests in hotels/casinos.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $31,455
- Median
- $51,350
- Senior-Level
- $72,636
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $15.12
- Median
- $24.68
- Senior-Level
- $34.92
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 53.79%
- Certificate
- 11.93%
- Some college
- 17.22%
- Associate Degree
- 10.6%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 6.45%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Supervise and coordinate activities of passenger attendants.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $41,581
- Median
- $62,861
- Senior-Level
- $92,498
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $19.99
- Median
- $30.22
- Senior-Level
- $44.47
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 26.91%
- Certificate
- 21.94%
- Associate Degree
- 16.66%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 34.49%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
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Supervise and coordinate activities of personal service workers.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $31,719
- Median
- $49,578
- Senior-Level
- $77,315
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $15.25
- Median
- $23.83
- Senior-Level
- $37.17
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 26.91%
- Certificate
- 21.94%
- Associate Degree
- 16.66%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 34.49%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $31,201
- Median
- $54,907
- Senior-Level
- $111,781
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $15.00
- Median
- $26.39
- Senior-Level
- $53.74
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 70.56%
- Certificate
- 4.83%
- Some college
- 18.35%
- Associate Degree
- 0.71%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 5.54%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Plan, direct, or coordinate gambling operations in a casino. May formulate house rules.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $49,172
- Median
- $56,313
- Senior-Level
- $94,881
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $23.64
- Median
- $27.06
- Senior-Level
- $45.61
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 56.51%
- Certificate
- 6.74%
- Some college
- 30.01%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 6.74%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Need help?
Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) is your "go-to person" ready to help you get started at CLC.
Your CCN guides you through the admission process, helps you choose your academic program, enroll in classes and connect you with resources.
Recommended Pathway
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. View degree requirements in the college catalog.
Hospitality and Culinary Management at CLC
Get the bigger picture
This degree is just one possible way to study hospitality and culinary management. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.
View the Hospitality and Culinary Management Program Overview
Frequently asked questions
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You qualify to take the ServSafe: Food Sanitation exam, which you can pass with a score of 75% or higher. ServSafe—developed by the National Restaurant Association—is the leader in food safety training and certification. You receive food sanitation training experience that reduces risk and creates a culture of food safety.
The ServSafe certification exam is to be taken in person with a proctor.
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With a C or better, you can earn National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) ManageFirst Certificates in:
- Hospitality Supervision
- Purchasing and Inventory Control
- Menu Marketing and Management
- Controlling Hospitality Costs
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Yes! Prairie at Brae Loch is a CLC student-managed restaurant relocating to Brae Loch Golf Club thanks to a recent 20-year agreement between CLC and the Lake County Forest Preserves. At Prairie at Brae Loch, you can practice all facets of running a restaurant in newly renovated, top-of-the-line kitchens.
Once Prairie at Brae Loch reopens, this agreement also provides upscale dining at affordable prices to the local community at the golf course snack shop during golf season May 1 through Oct. 31.
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Yes, you can! When you meet the transfer requirements for CLC’s Guaranteed Transfer Admission partners, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Roosevelt University or St. Augustine University, you receive:
- guaranteed admission that confirms admission to your transfer school early
- personalized academic planning from both institutions
- thousands in tuition savings by attending CLC first
*Cost includes tuition and other fees, including books and materials before financial aid is applied, such as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
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