Chef Training

Chef Training at Top South African Culinary Schools

Securing a worthwhile position in a professional kitchen as a chef requires formal training and a recognised qualification. Thankfully, this has brought all types of culinary styles and a wonderful world of cuisine choices within the reach of more people than ever.

Delicious Fare

It sounds like a mouthful – full of diverse, delicious fare, that is – prepared by trained chefs who are passionate about creative and classic cuisine. These are the requirements of the 21st century for all successful, formally trained chefs in South Africa and across the world.

Apprentices of Old

A few centuries ago, before the advent of bona fide chefs’ schools like Prue Leith Chefs Academy in Centurion, trainee chefs served an informal apprenticeship, assisting experienced chefs with whatever tasks the incumbent chef assigned them in the kitchen. Trainees or apprentices continued thus until their chefs decided that they were sufficiently experienced and competent to become chefs in their own right.

Essential – and Formalised

Nowadays, formal chef training at a recognised, accredited chef school is conducted for a set period. Graduates only become entry-level, qualified chefs after sitting for and passing theoretical and practical exams, which are set, marked, and judged by relevant, recognised, and accreditation bodies. Chef training has become formalised, which is essential for obtaining top culinary jobs at top restaurants.

Chef Training at Prue Leith Academy

Prue Leith Chefs Academy has been adjudged a top culinary school in South Africa by peers, employers, and this country’s hospitality industry at large. It is a proud achievement, one which we are continuously working on maintaining and improving by keeping our training programmes and curricula relevant, current, and in keeping with the exacting demands of the culinary industry and the palates of discerning diners.

Early during 2019, we offer a selection of two professional part-time and five full-time chef training courses, two post-graduate programmes, and 21 short training courses for amateur foodies and home cooks who wish to improve their skills in the kitchen in one or several disciplines, or those who are complete novices in the kitchen. Graduate courses for professional chefs have two intakes annually, in January and July. Enrolment for our July intake has opened, so be sure to enrol now to avoid disappointment and a delay in commencing your professional career with the first step of chef training.

Dates for our increasingly popular short courses are posted on our website early in each new year. Two relevant events have already taken place – Thermomix Demonstrations and our Open Day and Opening Evening, whilst our updated Food Photography and Styling course is to take place from 4 to 8 March 2019. Romantic couples also have an opportunity to celebrate their love for one another and good food. Join our Valentine’s Couples’ Cooking training event on 14 February 2019 where you prepare and dine out on a 4-course dinner that you learn to prepare to professional standards.

Join the fun at Prue Leith’s short-course chef training sessions and the position yourself for the rewarding career opportunities offered by our top professional training programmes.