Choosing a Culinary School

What to Consider When Choosing a Culinary School

If you are a food fundi with dreams of turning that passion into a professional endeavour, it might be worth researching the benefits of attending a culinary school. Attending an accredited chefs school is the best way to glean incomparable food knowledge, all the while perfecting your practical skills. If you want to learn the ins and outs of broiling, sauteing, simmering, and poaching, all the while having a comprehensive understanding of flavours and food science, then culinary school will fulfil your needs. However, with so many options available, prospective students can find themselves in a conundrum; how do you find the best culinary school? These top tips should assist you.

• Choose an Accredited Institution

One of the most crucial considerations when choosing a culinary school is to examine its accreditations. You want to see where your course will be acknowledged officially, as this will determine your future career moves, and, indeed, the quality of the qualification that you will receive upon completion. Prue Leith Culinary Institute’s three-year Occupational Certificate: Chef qualification is accredited by City & Guilds, making it a reputable, sought-after credential. Always ensure that courses are officially recognised by authorised bodies before enrolling at a culinary school.

• Opt for Blended Learning

Blended learning approaches combine both theory and practical elements, equipping learners with all the skills necessary to thrive in food-related careers. At Prue Leith, you will enjoy theoretical lessons presented by industry experts on various topics, including the science of food, food hygiene, resource management, and environmental sustainability, expanding your theoretical repertoire every year. You will also enjoy a range of practical activities, including a top placement at one of our celebrated practice partners, be it a restaurant, a hotel, or a catering venue. This real-world experience gives you the chance to put your theoretical insight to the test and glean practical experience in a fast-paced industry. Many of our students have worked at well-known restaurants, including La Colombe, Salsify, and Klein Jan.

• Think About the Facilities

One of the most essential elements of a successful culinary school is the infrastructure. You want to attend a culinary institute that is serious about expanding students’ skills and investing in the best of the best when it comes to kitchen equipment and appliances. Here, at Prue Leith, we are proud to have injected a whopping 10.5 million Rand into our state-of-the-art kitchen and lecturing facilities. We offer our students the use of our premium kitchen equipped with the latest technology in the culinary world. Enjoy top-end induction hobs, blast chillers, sous vide baths, and KitchenAid mixers, and learn how to integrate this technology into your vocation.

Start Your Culinary Journey with Pure Leith Institute

Prue Leith is the obvious choice if you are seeking a school that ticks all the boxes and then some. We are a team of foodies passionate about elevating the South African food industry and shaping the chefs of tomorrow. Explore our dynamic range of course offerings here, and if you are passionate about becoming a qualified chef, examine our three-year national diploma. Obtain an Occupational Certificate: Chef accredited by City & Guilds and commence with the ultimate culinary career journey.