Yes, Chef! Culinary Programs

Yes, Chef! Culinary Programs includes Yes, Chef! Culinary Camps and the Yes, Chef! Master Class Series for Chicago high school students. Sessions include one-day classes, a week-long summer camp, and 2-3 hour master class sessions in culinary settings. Students leave with cooking kits or other take-home items, and some sessions include a frozen turkey, a Mariano’s gift card, an essential baking equipment kit, an essential pasta-making equipment kit, an essential kitchen equipment kit valued at over $250, or an iPad top prize for the weeklong summer camp.

Programs

• Yes, Chef! Culinary Camps — Chicago high school students from under-resourced communities · Various one-day classes and a week-long summer camp; specific sessions are held from 11am-3pm or 10am-4pm · $0 · Educational culinary programs designed to expand exposure to the culinary world; students leave with cooking kits or other take-home items.
• Yes, Chef! Master Class Series — Chicago high school students · 2-3 hour sessions · $0 · Immersive culinary experiences in professional environments with chefs, hospitality leaders, creatives and industry professionals.

At a glance

• Ages: 14–18 years old
• Price range: $0
• Current session: Thanksgiving Community Cooking Class (Nov 15–Nov 15, 2026); Holiday Bootcamp: Holiday Baking (Dec 6–Dec 6, 2026); Spring Bootcamp: Spring Baking (Mar 6–Mar 6, 2027); Fresh Pasta-Making Bootcamp (May 15–May 15, 2027); Weeklong Summer Culinary Camp (Aug 9–Aug 13, 2027); Thanksgiving Community Cooking Class (Nov 13–Nov 13, 2027); Holiday Bootcamp: Holiday Baking (Dec 4–Dec 4, 2027)

About the provider

The Foundation for Culinary Arts says its mission is to inspire and empower socially and economically disadvantaged students through educational programming and career advancement opportunities in the culinary industry. The program hosts demonstration-style Thanksgiving dinner community cooking classes for high school students from under-resourced Chicago communities, and the 2027 Thanksgiving class requires attendance with a parent or guardian.

• Holiday Bootcamp: Holiday Baking — Apply by Nov. 15, 2026
• Spring Bootcamp: Spring Baking — Apply by Feb. 8
• Fresh Pasta-Making Bootcamp — Apply by April 25th
• Weeklong Summer Culinary Camp — Apply by July 5, 2027

Eligibility: students currently enrolled in Chicago Public High School, or other approved schools, whose family income falls within the definition of economically disadvantaged as defined by CPS, may apply online. Cost: there is zero cost to accepted students or their families. Preference is given to prior approved Yes, Chef! Culinary Camp students for the 2026 Thanksgiving class. Space is limited for the 2027 Fresh Pasta-Making Bootcamp. The 2027 Thanksgiving class requires attendance with a parent or guardian.

Last updated November 6, 2026.