About Us

UHCHI Welcomes New Exective Director

I am truly honored to take on the role of Executive Director at the Unite Here Chicago Hospitality Institute. As I begin this significant chapter, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the remarkable efforts that have brought me to this moment. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. The dedication of our community inspires me, and I recognize the significant impact we are making together. Our success comes from collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision for a better future.

Each new season brings fresh opportunities, and this one is particularly promising. At the Unite Here Chicago Hospitality Institute, we are committed to advancing our mission with renewed energy and focus. Together, we are enacting meaningful transformations, strengthening our partnerships, and setting ambitious goals for the upcoming months. We believe that true progress is achieved when individuals come together with purpose, passion, and resilience. Whether you are joining us for the first time or have been an integral part of our journey for several years, your involvement and support are crucial to our collective success.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to enhancing our impact, fostering partnerships, advocating for inclusion, and exploring new avenues for growth. Together, we can continue to create lasting change.

I look forward to engaging with many of you in the coming months as we collectively navigate this next chapter. Thank you for welcoming me into this outstanding organization.

Mark A. Harrison

Executive Director
UNITE HERE Chicago Hospitality Institute

UHCHI was founded in 2017 as a Taft-Hartley trust, a joint endeavor by the UNITE HERE Local 1 union and employer partners to work collaboratively towards building talent for the Hospitality and Tourism industry. In December of 2019, UHCHI became the first U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship – Chef de Partie in the State of Illinois and second nationally, preceded only by our sister organization LAHTA. In April of 2021, UHCHI opened its doors to its first group of culinary apprentices – Cohort 1. Since then, UHCHI has been hard at work developing the next generation of culinary professionals for the Chicagoland area.

We recruit, train, and retain skilled employees and provide ongoing professional development and support to individuals in the Chicagoland area, who will deliver high quality guest services to our employer partners and to the public.

Our vision is to be the premier hospitality training provider in the Chicagoland area.

Our Impact

75.3% of accepted Apprentices complete our intensive 8-Week hands-on training

UHCHI has engaged with over

since 2021

0 people

146 Apprentices have been
accepted into the Chef de Partie
Apprentice program through
Sept. 2023

UHCHI currently partners with

Community-Based Organizations

over 0

UHCHI Apprentices have completed

hours of on-the-job training through Sept. 2023

over 0

UHCHI's Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

With a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the UNITE HERE Chicago Hospitality Institute (UHCHI) works closely with community partners to recruit individuals from traditionally underserved populations, including women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, veterans and justice-involved individuals.

· 92% of UHCHI Culinary Apprentices are people of color, with 69% identifying as African American and 20% identifying as Hispanic or Latinx.

· While the culinary world at large is often dominated by men, over half (55%) of UHCHI Culinary Apprentices identify as female or non-binary.

· UHCHI serves students of all ages, however UHCHI has a strong record recruiting, training, and placing young people of color in unionized culinary positions. In fact, one in three UHCHI Culinary Apprentices are between the ages of 18-25.

· UHCHI believes in the transformative power of Registered Apprenticeships for all people, including justice-involved individuals. Over 10% of UHCHI Culinary Apprentices are returning citizens.

· Most (83%) UHCHI Culinary Apprentices are Chicago residents, whose unionized culinary career path uplift themselves, their families and the communities where they live.

UHCHI’s wrap around services and supportive environment means that students are set up to succeed. To further reduce barriers to success, UHCHI students receive additional digital, math, reading and ESL tutoring
through a partnership with Literacy Chicago. With the support of HIRE360
Chicago’s Barrier Reduction Fund, students who are parents can receive
financial support for childcare.

84.5% of UHCHI’s Culinary Apprentices are successfully placed in professional culinary positions, after completing the eight-week intensive U.S Department of Labor Registered Chef de Partie related training instruction.
UHCHI Culinary Apprentices earn on average upwards of $23 per hour with union benefits through UNITE HERE Local 1.

Our Community

UHCHI partners with community-based organizations to supply our apprentices with more than just top-of-the-line culinary training, including literacy assistance, resume building, and financial life skills.