Food brings people together, events create lasting memories and hospitality professionals help shape the experiences that make communities thrive. At Ivy Tech Community College Lake County, the School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management prepares students for meaningful careers in food service, culinary arts, baking, hospitality operations and event-focused service industries.
Through hands-on, career-focused training, students build practical skills in professional kitchens and hospitality environments while learning the teamwork, communication, customer service and leadership skills employers value. Whether students dream of becoming a chef, baker, restaurant leader, hospitality manager, caterer or event professional, Ivy Tech Lake County offers affordable pathways designed to help them take the next step. The program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation.
“These programs give students the opportunity to turn creativity, service and technical skill into a career,” said Holly Gould, department chair, School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management. “Our students learn by doing, and they leave prepared to contribute to Northwest Indiana’s culinary and hospitality workforce.”
Hands-on learning for real-world careers
Students in Ivy Tech’s culinary and hospitality programs learn in applied settings where they can practice the skills used every day in professional kitchens, food service operations, hospitality teams and customer-facing environments. Coursework emphasizes industry standards, food preparation, baking, safety, customer service, teamwork and leadership.
That hands-on approach helps students develop confidence while building the technical and professional skills needed to step directly into the workforce or continue advancing toward a degree.
Stackable credentials with flexible pathways
Ivy Tech Lake County offers stackable credential options that allow students to begin with a focused certificate, continue into a technical certificate and keep moving toward associate and bachelor’s degrees as their goals evolve.
Programming options include:
- Associate degree options in hospitality administration, including career-ready and transfer-focused pathways
- Technical certificates in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, and hospitality management
- Short-term certificates in areas such as culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, hospitality management, event management, catering, hotel operations, dietary management and beverage management careers
Because credentials are stackable, students can earn meaningful milestones along the way while keeping future education and career options open.
New PNW transfer agreements expand bachelor’s degree pathways
Three new transfer agreements between Ivy Tech Community College statewide and Purdue University Northwest create additional pathways for students completing technical certificates in baking and pastry arts, culinary arts and hospitality management to continue into Purdue University Northwest’s Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management. The degree is offered through the White Lodging School of Hospitality and Tourism Management in the PNW College of Business.
Under the agreements, students who complete the eligible Ivy Tech technical certificate may transfer and apply a minimum number of credit hours toward Purdue University Northwest’s bachelor’s degree requirements, provided they meet the admission and transfer requirements outlined in the agreements. New students will be eligible for these articulation agreements beginning Aug. 17, 2026.
Together, these agreements strengthen the connection between workforce-focused credentials and continued education, giving students a clearer route to build on their Ivy Tech coursework while pursuing long-term goals in hospitality and tourism management.
Career-focused training in growing service industries
The culinary and hospitality fields offer a wide range of career options for students who enjoy creativity, service, organization and leadership. Ivy Tech’s hospitality administration program highlights pathways such as hospitality manager, food service manager, restaurant manager, baker, pastry chef, sous chef, kitchen manager, caterer, cook, event planner, hotel supervisor and food protection manager.
Students gain skills that support immediate employment while also preparing them to continue their education, pursue advancement opportunities and serve the needs of local employers across Northwest Indiana and beyond.
Chef Darrick Tucker, Jr.
New culinary instructor adds momentum
Ivy Tech Lake County’s culinary and hospitality programs are also gaining momentum with the addition of chef Darrick Tucker, Jr., who announced he has accepted a full-time culinary instructor position with Ivy Tech Community College. In his announcement, Tucker shared that teaching has become one of the greatest passions of his career and that he is excited to help students discover their passion and grow into confident culinary professionals.
Tucker also highlighted his commitment to strengthening partnerships among local high schools, Ivy Tech and four-year hospitality programs, creating more opportunities for students to pursue successful careers in culinary arts and hospitality. He has won Chef Educator of the Year with ACF Chefs of NWI and a silver medal from the World Food Championship Qualifier at the ACF National Convention. His experience as a chef, owner of Southern Roots by Apeeling Gourmet and leader with ACF Chefs of Northwest Indiana brings a community-centered, industry-connected perspective to the program.
Building partnerships and momentum
Ivy Tech Lake County is also working to strengthen connections with regional high schools, dual credit partners and community stakeholders so students can explore culinary and hospitality careers earlier and with greater confidence.
Campus visits, hands-on experiences and conversations with faculty can help students better understand program options, credential pathways and next steps. These partnerships support a stronger talent pipeline for the region’s hospitality, tourism, food service and event industries.
Programs that serve students and the region
The School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management gives students a place to combine creativity with purpose. From the kitchen to the front of house, from baking to event planning, students learn how to create quality experiences while developing skills that can open doors to rewarding careers.
Your future starts here
Ivy Tech Community College Lake County proudly serves students across its Crown Point, East Chicago and Gary locations. Whether students are launching a new career, building on current experience or planning to continue their education, Ivy Tech’s culinary and hospitality programs offer practical, affordable pathways to help them move forward.
To learn more about programs and opportunities, visit Ivy Tech Lake County or explore the Culinary Arts / Hospitality Administration & Events program page.
