Our Esteemed Pastry Courses

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Esteemed Pastry Courses

The colourful world of pastries is not only reserved for birthday cupcakes or the odd confection we choose to buy at the supermarket. It is a competitive field within the culinary profession that comes down to three factors: hard work, technique, and creativity. If it is your dream to become a pastry chef (also called a pâtissier), then you certainly need the appropriate qualifications in order to make a success of your career. Here at the Prue Leith Culinary Institute, we offer hands-on pastry courses for prospective pâtissiers looking to hone their skill, refine their technique, and embrace the challenges of this dynamic profession. Below, we take a gander at some frequently asked questions we often receive about our available courses.

Which Pastry Courses are Available?

In terms of our full-time courses, we currently have two for Professional Patisserie – one running for 18 months and the other, six months. The 18-month course includes three semesters, the second of which allows for five months of practical work at the academy’s on-site, fine dining Prue Leith Restaurant.

What Are the Benefits of Taking a Professional Patisserie Course?

Our 18-month Professional Patisserie course offers the following upon completion of training:

• A City & Guilds Diploma in Patisserie (8065-03).
• Level 5 certificate in Patisserie.
• A Prue Leith Chefs Academy Certificate of Achievement.
• A Prue Leith Sugar Craft certificate.
• WSET Level 1 Wine Course qualification.

After completing 12 months, however, you will achieve an Occupational Certificate: Cook qualification, first aid and fire (level 1) certification, and a City & Guilds Certificate in Food Preparation & Cooking (8065-01). Because our renowned institution has an exceptional reputation for patisserie, it is one of the few pastry courses in South Africa that will open up excellent opportunities across the globe.  

What Kind of Subjects Can I Expect to Learn About?

This pastry course is intensive and covers both theoretical and practical training. During the programme, you will learn about everything from food preparation techniques to sugar craft and plated desserts. Our courses are about more than just making pastries – we strive to equip our students with knowledge relating to environmental awareness, food and workplace safety, and even an introduction to the hospitality industry.

Our six-month Professional Patisserie course was developed to help students seeking entry-level work as a pastry chef. This programme fuses classical French training with modern techniques, focusing on subjects, such as sugar craft, advanced cakes and showpieces, kitchen management and design, and many more. This is ideal for dessert-makers at heart who wish to improve their skill in the kitchen or even start their own business.

What About Short Courses?

Here at the Prue Leith Culinary Institute, we offer several short courses that run over one, two, or five days. Whether you wish to master macaroons or learn basic baking techniques, keep an eye out for available dates of our patisserie-focused masterclasses.

There is no reason why you should settle for anything less than the best when it comes to achieving your dreams. You owe it to yourself to enrol with the best possible institution and empower yourself with esteemed qualifications. For more on how to enrol with us and which course would suit you best, have a chat with us today.