Yes, Chef! Culinary Camp

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Designed for exceptional Chicago area high school students in under-resourced areas, who want to further their exposure to the culinary world and have fun along the way!

2023 Culinary Camps

Yes, Chef! Culinary Camp is live! That’s right, our Yes, Chef! Culinary Camp is back in-person this year!

The Spring Baking Boot Camp on April 2nd will have campers sifting and stirring their way through a variety of sweet and savory recipes. Our week-long summer camp will be held from June 19 to June 23 at The Chopping Block.

Enrollment is open—Eligible, currently enrolled Chicago Public or other approved high school students (Must be 14-18 years of age) interested in gaining valuable culinary skills while having fun should apply now as spaces go fast.

If accepted, there is ZERO cost to participate.

Campers will learn invaluable cooking and baking basics from our esteemed instructors, bond with students from other schools and end the day with delicious food!

Apply online for one or all of the camps! Campers will be called to schedule a phone interview with their parent/guardian and a selection committee member to determine their eligibility for an award to attend at no cost.

APRIL 2 In-person Spring Baking Camp
JUNE 19 – 23 Summer Camp
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How are campers selected?

There are three selection methods utilized by the Yes, Chef! Culinary Camp. A number of spots are awarded via C-CAP’s junior culinary competition that takes place in January. Students who did not participate in the junior competition can apply to the camp and will go through a selection and interview process. A few spots are made available for CPS students who show great culinary interest and potential but are not part of a district offering C-CAP. These students are recommended to the FFCA by academic field recruiters and will undergo a similar selection process to the C-CAP students.

Who are our campers?

Our campers are a diverse group of students from under-resourced communities currently enrolled in the Chicago Public School system. The students are both male and female ranging from 13-18 years of age.

65% of Campers are Female

91% of Campers are Black and Latino

How Can I Get Involved?

Sponsor a camp  |  Sponsor a camper |
Donate  |  Volunteer  | Partner

Each level of sponsorship comes with unique promotional opportunities—press coverage inclusion; inclusion in all FFCA-generated promotional and marketing materials; corporate branding opportunities; and more. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent as allowed by law.

To discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact Executive Director Catherine De Orio at info@f4ca.org.

Camp Application Scholarship

Currently enrolled Chicago Public High School students whose family income falls within the definition of “Economically Disadvantaged”, as defined by CPS, may apply for a scholarship to attend the Yes, Chef! Culinary Camp by clicking the button below.

Our Partners

C-CAP
Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) is a national non-profit that transforms the lives of at-risk students through the culinary arts. C-CAP was founded by Richard Grausman, renowned cookbook author and culinary educator, and has a volunteer Board of Directors co-chaired by Chef Marcus Samuelsson and Mark Weiss. Since its inception in 1990, C-CAP has awarded over $46 million in scholarships through the largest independent culinary scholarship program in the U.S., and classrooms have received nearly $3.4 million worth of supplies and equipment. Many C-CAP alumni, now graduates of top culinary colleges, are working in leading restaurants and hotels throughout the country.
The Chopping Block
The Chopping Block is a leader in the culinary industry for its mission to get people to cook. The popular recreational cooking school, private event venue and gourmet retail and wine store has been in business for over 22 years in Chicago due to its ability to adapt to its customers’ needs. A highly-trained staff interacts with customers like they would with their own families: they swap stories, share recipes and learn together. The Chopping Block modifies what they teach, how they teach and what products they offer to fit the ever-changing needs of their students. From 101 cooking classes to professional culinary school-style instruction in Culinary Boot Camps, The Chopping Block addresses deficiencies in cooking skills for all levels.