Open new doors with a culinary diploma

You have been running the catering business from home, but you lack that something extra to take the food industry by storm. You have been thinking of turning your hobby into a profitable career. Now is the time to cook up a new career and whip your CV into shape. What better way to do it than with a proper cooking qualification such as a culinary diploma. It will take eighteen months and that includes the practical training.

About the college

The Prue Leith College of Food and Wine, situated in Centurion, offers an eighteen-month culinary diploma that is recognized internationally. The college opened its doors in 1997 and is owned by the Prue Leith College of Food and Wine Trust. There are a number of trustees, but also an advisory panel responsible for reviewing and evaluating the college’s curriculum and performance against international trends and standards.

How to enroll

To enroll at the Prue Leith College of Food and Wine students must be seventeen years and older and have a standard grade 12 qualification. All prospective students that apply for acceptance to the college, will have to complete a questionnaire. All aspiring chefs will be interviewed. The college only accepts thirty students per semester and approval of a student’s application is at the discretion of the school. A processing fee is charged and must be paid before the candidate’s interview takes place.

Prue Leith OBE and patron

With your culinary diploma in hand, many doors will open in the culinary world, partly because of the curriculum and party because of its patron Prue Leith. Prue Leith is a household name in Europe and in the cooking community. She is s successful businesses woman and world-renowned chef. She has written numerous books, one that forms part of the curriculum, the Prue Leith cookery bible. Students from the Prue Leith college are sought after for top chef jobs, usually even before graduation because of the association with her name.

What comes next?

You have been approved to complete your culinary diploma and your contract has been signed. You have paid the deposit six weeks in advance as required. You know that your tuition fee will cover the cost of the food that you will use in the demonstration kitchen and in the practical part of the culinary diploma. It covers the external lecturers and examination fees and it buys you one meal per day. You know you will need a pen, but what else do you need to bring to school when you enroll for the culinary diploma?

Students are responsible for the following:

  • A complete set of college cooking knives
  • Cooking tools
  • Basic icing equipment
  • A bottle opener
  • Two college chef jackets and pants
  • Neck ties
  • A few aprons
  • Comfortable shoes – as specified by the college
  • Calculator
  • Prue Leith cookery bible
  • THETA learner workbook
  • Other textbook necessities
  • Course notes
  • The membership fee to join the South African Chefs Association.

Apart from the above, a truckload of enthusiasm, your passion for food, and liters of dedication to complete your culinary diploma with distinction should also be included.

What the curriculum covers

All aspects of the culinary art and cooking disciplines are covered by the curriculum and the course material has been compiled to adhere to and exceed THETA (Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Education Training Authority) standards. What sets this culinary diploma apart from other qualifications, is the fact that it also addresses financial and management training, as well as an optional course that covers all aspects of starting a new business. This is for culinary students that aspire to start their own restaurants or catering businesses. Students are also taught how to compile a proper resume and how to prepare for a job interview. To complete the culinary diploma students, will also have to complete the Cape Wine Academy Certificate course that emphasizes the harmony between food and wine.

When can you start?

Enrollment to complete your culinary diploma takes place in January and June, and with only thirty students accepted, you should hurry and log onto the website or call the Prue Leith College of Food and Wine to apply immediately.