Same here.
I also noticed that learning for chef II is 2 hours, and chef III is 1 hour. And they are turned around in skills - cooking menu, I think. (Edit: the out-game skills menu, where you can click learn new skill etc., NOT encyclopedia)
just update: Animal Learning Speed II doesn't seems to work, real time of learning was equal like not having any upgrade. With Animal Learning Speed III it jumped to correct times (for skill not currently training)