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Study at a Top Culinary School

Become a Professional Chef – Study at a Top Culinary School

There are many careers to follow in the world of cooking, including pâtissier, chef de cuisine, entremétier, and even sous-chef, among others. Although ample experience can be gained through working in a restaurant, it’s recommended to study at a culinary school before applying for a position at any cuisine establishment.

At Prue Leith Culinary Institute, there are multiple options for students – from beginner to expert levels of training. The main requirements for full- or part-time courses are that individuals must have completed their Matric/Grade 12 qualification or equivalent, with preferably a 60% average or above, along with an absolute desire for cooking.

Culinary School Courses for Novices

For those who’ve never cooked in a commercial kitchen, and want to start at the bottom and work their way up, the Introduction to Professional Cookery is a wise choice.

The following chef qualifications will be awarded to graduates of the course:

  • City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Food Preparation & Cooking
  • Prue Leith Chefs Academy Certificate of Achievement

Students also have the option of completing their WSET wine course (Level 1) during this period.

This full-time course can be used as a stepping stone to more advanced study directions and takes only a year to complete. Successful applicants will study various kitchen-related topics in their first semester and partake in five months of practical training throughout their second semester of study at the esteemed culinary school of Prue Leith Culinary Institute. Those who have successfully completed their studies have three options to further their chef skills and careers.

Choose a Course for Advanced Studies from the following:

How to Decide on a Full-time Study Direction

The Introduction to Professional Cookery features year one of the Occupational Certificate: Chef. Thus, students will already have credits towards completing this route and won’t have to start from scratch if this direction is chosen. Individuals can also directly apply to the 3-year programme.

This course is for anyone wanting to become a professional chef, with all-round skills and nationally recognised qualifications. Apart from their Occupational Certificate: Chef, graduates will also receive their City & Guilds Diploma in Food Preparation and Cooking, as well as the City & Guilds Advanced Diploma in Food Preparation and Cookery Supervision.

Professional Patisserie is aimed at students who wish to become pastry chefs and need qualifications to enter this line of work. Note that all applicants for this course will have to present their City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Food Preparation and Cooking or documents for an equal level of achievement.

If travelling to Colorno in Italy and gaining a Prue Leith-ALMA Diploma in Italian Cuisine sounds enticing, the third option should be selected. This advanced direction can be completed by beginners or experienced chefs who want to specialise in Italian cuisine. Those who are already qualified as chefs can skip the foundational training and jump straight into the training at the ALMA – La Scuola Internazionale Cucina Italiana, an esteemed culinary school in Italy.

Additional Information and Application Process

Potential candidates are welcome to tune in to the new podcast at Prue Leith Culinary Institute for more insights into the world of cooking and the various course options available. To apply for any of the courses, request an application form on the specific course’s page or get in touch via the Contact Us page.

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