List Of Chef Schools In South Africa 2025-2026
A cooking school is an institution devoted to education in the art and science of cooking and food preparation. There are many different types of cooking schools around the world, some devoted to training professional chefs, others aimed at amateur enthusiasts, with some being a mixture of the two.
There are many renowned chef schools scattered throughout South Africa, but if you happen to reside in Gauteng, you’re in luck. In operation since 2001, The Capital Hotel School is considered one of the best chef schools in Gauteng and South Africa. With campuses in Pretoria and on the Hunters Rest Estate, 12 km from Rustenburg, The Capital Hotel School will provide you with all the necessary tools and skills to make your mark in the culinary industry.
Taking great pride in our high standards of excellence, our chef school offers full-time accredited chef courses that include a 2-year Diploma in Food Preparation and Culinary Arts, a 1-year National Food Preparation and Cooking Certificate, a 2-year Patisserie Diploma, and a 1-year Food Preparation and Supervision Diploma.
However, should you also want to learn the business and management side of the hospitality industry, we also offer a full-time 2-year Hospitality and Operations Management Diploma.
Below are list of Chef Schools in South Africa.
South African Chefs Academy
SA Chefs Training & Innovation Academy Centurion
SA CTIA: Chefs Academy
Prue Leith Chef’s Academy
Silwood School of Cookery
1000 Hills Chefs School (Pty)Ltd
FBI Chef School
The Chef School for Food & Wine South Africa
International Chef Training college
Olive Chef School
How long does it take to become a chef in South Africa?
Traditionally the majority of people wanting to become chefs in South Africa will enrol on a one or two year course at a Culinary School. This will give them all the skills they need to embark on a career as a chef. The preferred route is to take the two year course, which is a diploma course.
What subjects are needed to be a chef?
The following is a quick look at the important subjects every chef needs to know.
4 Important Subjects to Know in Order to Become a Chef
- Math courses.
- Business administration.
- Biology & Chemistry.
- Food plating aesthetics.
How much does a chef earn in South Africa?
The average salary for a Chef is R 298 816 per year in South Africa.
Is chef a good career?
Being a chef means a lot of hours at work and working on your feet. … Before you commit to the job or start applying to culinary schools, it’s worthwhile to try working as a chef or getting work experience in a restaurant kitchen to see if it’s the job for you.
Can I study chef without matric?
Some people think that without a matric certificate you cannot study further, or get a decent job. That thinking is wrong. They won’t give you a matric certificate, but they will give you an accredited, recognised alternative qualification. And you can use them to study up to NQF level 6 (National Diploma level).
Do chefs get paid well?
How much money chefs earn annually varies from under $23,630 for the bottom 10 percent to over $76,280 for the top 10 percent. Chefs working for restaurants averaged $43,750 a year, while chefs working for performing arts companies did better and earned $69,150 a year on average.
What high school subjects are needed to become a chef?
High School Classes Needed to Become a Chef
- Cooking and Food Preparation. Basic high school cooking classes teach students how to properly broil, grill and barbeque food, to avoid raw meats and about improper food preparation.
- Biology and Sciences.
- Business Administration.
- Additional Schooling.
