Food and WIne: An Essential Culinary Art

It is said that if food is the body of good living, wine is its soul. Seasoned chefs know that wonderful food is brought to life with the perfect wine, yet very few chefs’ schools focus on teaching their students the art of combining food and wine to perfection.

Harmonizing food and wine is part of the curriculum at Prue Leith Chef’s Academy. On graduation students receive a Cape Wine Academy Certificate as proof of their extensive knowledge of wine. In the second semester students can attend an optional wine tour of the Cape Wine Routes, visiting places like Paarl and Stellenbosch. This is a very enriching experience for all those involved and shows Prue Leith’s dedication to excellent, comprehensive and exclusive training in the art of food and wine presentation.

Graduates from Prue Leith often start their own catering businesses and their comprehensive knowledge of food and wine serves them well. Caterers are often required to assist the client with pairing food and wine or to coordinate a cash bar at an event. As the head of a catering company knowledge of basic wine etiquette will hardly be enough to impress clients. A detailed knowledge of vertical and horizontal pairing of food and wine will be required.

When visiting places of fine dining like restaurants and hotels, guests often look at chefs and wait-staff for suggestions on food and wine combinations to bring their dining experience to its full potential. Prue Leith’s extensive training in food and wine puts their graduates head and shoulders above others in the industry.