Swiss cooking classes
A small garden suburb in Centurion is probably the last place you would expect to find Swiss Cooking Classes. But Swiss cooking can be found in classes that take place at the Prue Leith College of Food and Wine, which is situated in the picturesque gardens of the old Lyttleton Manor House. Why travel to Switzerland when you can find Swiss cooking classes right there on your very own doorstep.
The Prue Leith Diploma Course, which is run by the college and that is recognized the world over for its excellence, has classes that cover a number of different geographical regions, though there is an accent on South African cuisine. The college was founded in 1996, and Prue Leith, an internationally renowned leader in the culinary field, allowed her name to be used for the college and is its patron. Prue Leith graduated in Cape Town before moving to Europe, where she was awarded the OBE for her services to the catering industry. She visits the college at regular intervals to lecture and demonstrate for the students. Her involvement with the college has proved invaluable in opening doors of opportunity for college graduates.
Students may apply to the college once they have passed their Matric Exams – they must achieve at least a standard grade pass and have reached eighteen years of age. Before being accepted into the college they have to attend an interview board and must complete a questionnaire. A successful applicant will join the Diploma Course in either January or July. There are always three courses running consecutively, each course lasting eighteen months and being split into three six-month semesters.
During their first semester students spend most of their time attending lectures and cooking classes in the demonstration kitchen and lecture theatre. The intermediate semester sees them getting hands-on experience in the Prue Leith Restaurant – this restaurant is owned by the College Trust and is in the grounds of the college. Students gain valuable experience in the hot and cold kitchens, front of house and the pastry department. Some of their time is spent working at Prue Leith Catering, the group’s catering company just a couple of kilometres from the college. Back at the college students must complete the Cape Wine Academy Certificate course before they graduate. Emphasis is placed on the marriage of food and wine with an accent on South African wines.
With their Swiss cooking classes behind them, students in their final semester will find themselves being placed in five star catering establishments working under talented and very experienced chefs. Most of these game lodges, restaurants and hotels are in South Africa, though some lucky students could find themselves in the Middle East, Ireland or the United Kingdom. The college expects that most of their graduates will be at the top of their field within a few years of graduation. Some chef’s jobs advertisements actually list the Prue Leith Diploma as a requirement that the applicant must possess in order to qualify for that job.
