Hello there my lovelies. Yes, it’s me again, the one you think you know but still don’t know. It’s been a good few months since I last reported back on the many happenings – happening in the wonderful place we call Prue Leith Chef’s Academy.

As you know, no names shall me mentioned (to protect the guilty of cause) but the events shall be painted with words and some liberal seasoning to keep things interesting.
So the year 2009 ended with many a romantic ‘interaction’ occurring between certain people. There was even talk of intermingling between 1st and 2nd commis! Gasp. The year ended with sad goodbyes between some and apparently some very happy hellos for others at a now infamous celebration.

2009 also brought along the addition of new staff members at the Academy, with shouts of ‘oh my shattered nerves’ filling the kitchen air a new buzzword was coined. Certain people were made to count peas whilst others put 100ml of stock in 50litre tubs at the behest of certain chefs…much to the said chef’s amusement.

With the new year came some new purchases by some. A bike was bought by a rather prominent member of the 2nd commis but the said buyer forgot their Grade 7 geography and the weather patterns of South Africa. Others went on to purchase black socks…with holes in them, much to a certain chefs disapproving look. Some purchased new black books whilst others spent weeks retyping theirs. Some gentlemen rediscovered their razors again…and some were reminded rather swiftly as to where to use them. A certain 2nd commi has finally purchased a belt, much to everyone’s relief.

In the kitchens there have already been some interesting happenings. From well-done medium rare fillets to clever uses for cream when pressed for time. The new group of 1st commis are slowly starting to realise that the black pans in hot kitchen are actually “that much” and that going out every night sometimes isn’t a good idea. Murmurs of “I won’t wash dishes” have also swiftly died down.

It was much to my amusement to hear of the near-death experiences of the smokers who have now been exiled to “Killer Tree Drop Zone” to puff away. Very little sympathy was given when sad faced smokers complained. Rather conveniently the now smoker-free student area has been lovingly upgraded…with a nice echo attached just to add to the madness of the conversations there.
As the weeks go by and we start to spend more time together I’m certain a lot more will happen that will catch the eye of The Undercover Chef.

No chefs were harmed in the writing of this article.

It's in our hands

With the start of each semester the S.R.C. meets to discuss and plan the coming activities and goals for the student body. A meeting was held during the first week of this year and many ideas and goals were shared.

The Academy S.R.C. has two primary functions. Firstly we serve as the communication point between the student body and the Academy governing body and secondly as the facilitator of any student social events and needs. At the meeting mentioned above plans as to how to go about successfully performing these duties were tabled and the following was agreed upon.

In Summary:

• This semester two official teambuilding events shall take place and if budget and time allows a third could possibly be held.
• More focus will be placed on South African and World days of significance.
• 2 further members of the S.R.C. will be selected from the 1st commis group.
• A focus on more socially responsible awareness programmes this year.
• With the 2010 FIFA World Cup taking place the academy will celebrate the event by allowing the student body to wear football shirts on Tuesdays.
• To add to the excitement of 2010 students will also be allowed to wear coloured bandana’s on Fridays
• A regular blood drive will be organised with the SA National Blood Services to visit the Academy on pre-scheduled Tuesday afternoons.
• The regular Charity Soup will be made as usual and donated to charity on Tuesdays.
• The student newsletter, The Culinary Times, will be published three times during this semester.

As is evident above, the S.R.C. plans to focus more on patriotic and socially relevant events and functions this year. As future entrepreneurs and chefs we feel that social responsibility should begin as early as possible in one’s career. The Academy already focuses on instilling the need to cook sustainable produce, we as the S.R.C will add to this by also promoting living and supporting causes that will sustain our planet and diverse communities.

Having said that the Academy notice board will be used regularly to promote awareness days such Arbor Day, World Water Day, World Environment Day, National Marine Day, World Aids Day and many more. These notices will be coupled with week-long focuses on the specific cause e.g. National Water Day will include a focus on students saving and re-using as much water as possible. National Arbor Day will be accompanied with the planting of fruit trees etc. Students will also be allowed to wear relevant ribbons t o side with the social focus day.

The S.R.C. would also like to take this opportunity in welcoming the new 1st commis who joined us on the 6th of January. We held an orientation day event to welcome them the traditional Prue Leith Academy way and inbetween all the strange new faces many a smile was shared. We trust the many hours we will share with each other in the kitchens and in the Academy will be fruitful. A building full of future chefs is a wonderful place to be and the S.R.C. aims to add to this by making it a enjoyable journey for all.

By Lesego Semenya

Maureen Mwangi

With the Chefs Academy being an internationally recognized name in the culinary education field many faces from all over the world make the journey to South Africa to study. Although we pretend to understand I’m sure not that many of us can fathom the idea of leaving South Africa and travelling to a foreign country on our own to study. This is a view from one of our many wonderful friends who has made the journey to further their studies here in SA.

South Africa has a very vast culture. It’s interesting how so many different tribes and races have so much in common for example biltong and braais (with boerewors of cause). I’m yet to go to a braai that does not have those two…oh, and let’s not forget beer!

Unlike Kenya, which is a very conservative society, South Africans are very free and express themselves quite a lot; be it in their clothes, hairstyles, eating and talking. They live their lives without the fear of what others may say about them, something that still amazes me.

I did have a bit of culture shock when I first came here especially when it came to the dress-sense. I could stand at the mall with my sandwiches and just watch a whole parade of people and their different dress-styles. Some weren’t too nice!

What I love most about South Africans is their love of music. It does not matter where they are, whether in a taxi or when going to change in a clothes store (I’m not exaggerating this part) they just seem to love their music and love to dance.

I do find myself sometimes having to keep track of the various races in South Africa, they are all completely different but one common theme amongst them is brings them together is sport and the coming World Cup.

I could go on and on about the differences but what has caught my attention is just how God could bring so many different people together and somehow keep track of them all! Each one is beautiful in His eyes.

By Maureen Mwangi