The best cooking diploma in the world

Obtaining a cooking diploma is the first step towards a successful career in the culinary industry. The institute where the cooking diploma is obtained is however, what gives credibility to the qualification.

What to look for in the institute and the cooking diploma

With so many courses you can attend and institutions offering certificates and courses, you may end up with a qualification that is not worth all the time and effort you spent in obtaining it. Both the course curriculum and the institute should be investigated prior to enrollment.

Credibility of the culinary school

Consider the following when you look at the institute’s credibility:

  • The school must have instructors who are well-known in the culinary industry and respected for their expertise.
  • The institute must comply with THETA (Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Education Authority) requirements.
  • It must have a longstanding history of excellence.
  • Several of the now top class chefs must have attended the institute.
  • The institute must come internationally recommended.
  • The board of advisors must be reputable culinary personalities to ensure that high standards are maintained.

The Prue Leith College of Food and Wine, situated in Lyttleton, Gauteng, complies with all of the above. It has been established in 1997 and has since then grown to be one of the most renowned culinary training institutes in the world. Its comprehensive curriculum has been developed to ensure that graduates are prepared for all areas of the culinary field. As such it doesn’t only comply with THETA standards, but exceeds it by far.

Our instructors are well-known in the culinary field and we also invite several experts in the industry to come and lecture on occasion.

Several acclaimed chefs did their training at the prestigious institute and the graduates from the school are welcomed into the culinary world with open arms. Since the school is in such high standing worldwide, several international hotels and kitchens provide internship positions for Prue Leith students. Its board of advisors is unequalled in the world with top culinary experts and personalities to oversee the standards and policies of the school.

Facilities offered and quality of training provided

One way of establishing whether the institute you select is the best place, is to look at the facilities on offer. It should have world class facilities where you can work in a number of settings and be exposed to all areas of fine dining, food preparation, catering, restaurant work and more. The facilities must adhere to safety standards and provide all the tools and equipment necessary to prepare you for all types of establishments in the culinary field.

The Prue Leith culinary training institute provides world class facilities that include:

  • Well equipped lecture rooms where students learn the theoretical side of the culinary art.
  • Onsite catering kitchen and division where the students are exposed to every aspect of catering.
  • Offsite catering venues as Prue Leith offers excellent client selected venue catering services for corporate functions, weddings, anniversaries and birthday parties.
  • Onsite acclaimed and award winning restaurant called the Odd Plate where students get hands-on experience in front of house, and the kitchen, as well as training in financial management of the restaurant.
  • Teaching kitchen where the students learn everything about food, nutrition, sanitation, cuisine preparation and more.
  • Demonstration kitchen where students can observe how the masters do it.
  • Outdoor facilities where students learn the art of outdoor cookery as part of the course to obtain the cooking diploma.

Credibility and comprehensiveness of the cooking diploma

It is of no use to get a cooking diploma which cannot open doors for you. The Prue Leith qualification is internationally recognized and recommended by most of the well-known culinary experts. The course teaches students about every aspect of cookery, restaurant ownership and catering. It is also provides students with exposure to viniculture as it is compulsory for students to attend the certificate course offered by the Cape Wine Academy. Students also get extensive training in Patisserie, Rotisserie and cultural cuisines of the world.

To complete the well rounded education, students undergo a practical training period at any of the international or locally acclaimed hotels, restaurants, catering kitchens or lodges on our list. This internship period also serves as experience to put on your resume.

The ability to get work with a Prue Leith cooking diploma is essential. As our students come highly recommended they are welcomed by the best culinary establishments in the world. The college also assists in the placement of graduates and provides students with the necessary tools for job hunting and financial management. Contact the Prue Leith institution today to enroll in the 18 month course and start your career in the culinary world with an advantage.