About Cooking Collective
Since 2018, Cooking Collective has been Chicago's premier destination for culinary education. Our mission is to make professional cooking techniques accessible to everyone, from passionate home cooks to aspiring professional chefs.
Founded by Chef Maria Rodriguez, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America with over 15 years of restaurant experience, our school combines traditional techniques with modern innovations. We believe that great cooking starts with understanding ingredients, mastering fundamentals, and developing confidence in the kitchen.
Our state-of-the-art teaching kitchen features professional-grade equipment, allowing students to learn in an environment that mirrors real restaurant conditions. With small class sizes and hands-on instruction, every student receives personalized attention and guidance.
We're proud to have trained over 2,500 students, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in the culinary industry or have simply transformed their home cooking experience forever.
