Centurion Catering College

Situated in the picturesque garden city of Centurion, halfway between Johannesburg, City of Gold, and Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, is the Prue Leith Catering College. The recent democratization of South Africa has given rise to a huge boost to the tourist industry, and this, in turn, has had a marked effect on the catering industry, with a fast increasing demand for highly qualified chefs. The college was specifically established to meet this increased demand for top quality chefs throughout the tourist industry in South Africa. There are several other colleges throughout the country that either include catering on their curriculum or are specifically geared towards the catering industry, and many of them turn out some fine chefs. But the cream of South Africa’s chefs have passed through the kitchens of the Prue Leith College in Centurion.

Emphasis is made at the college in having the students get as much hands on experience as possible, and as early as possible during their respective course. With this in mind, the college runs it’s own fine food restaurant, The Odd Plate, and this is entirely managed by the college students. The Odd Plate has become a recognized venue for fine food connoisseurs throughout the Johannesburg and Pretoria areas. Students are also sent out to gain practical experience in various fine food restaurants and hotels in the surrounding areas of Gauteng, and even as far away as England, Ireland, Cape Town and the Middle East. The course in Centurion covers the full curriculum of catering subjects, both theoretical and practical. Upon the successful completion of the eighteen-month course, students are presented with a Diploma that is recognized throughout the world.

This is a college with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, where students of different races get along well. Over a period of eighteen months students learn a whole range of catering subjects, not only theoretical, but also the finer arts of practical cooking. Subjects range from the organization of the kitchen to front of house management. The Course even includes Bush Cooking and the preparation of weekly and monthly accounts. On passing out from the college a student will have learned enough about the ins and outs of catering to start and run his own restaurant, and many graduates do just that. Others continue their careers in some of the finest hotels and restaurants of the world.

The Prue Leith Catering College is ideally placed for students living in the Pretoria and Johannesburg areas, being placed midway between the two cities. The College is situated in the pleasant garden suburb of Hennopspark in Centurion and is just a few minutes drive from the main highway that runs between the two cities. There is accommodation for a limited number of students next door to the college and there are also a good number of townhouses and flats in the Hennopspark area. Prospective students would be wise to contact the Catering College well in advance for help or information regarding accommodation.