How To Become A Chef In South Africa

A chef is a trained professional cook and tradesman who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation, often focusing on a particular cuisine.

What Does A Chef Do?

Chefs are responsible for training and managing kitchen personnel, supervising and coordinating all culinary activities, and making administrative decisions for a restaurant.

What Qualifications Do I Need?

Since executive chefs hold a high position in the culinary industry, they are usually required to have 7-8 years of previous related experience. Ideally, executive chefs should have a bachelor’s degree in the culinary arts or in a related area, such as hospitality.

A Grade 10 certificate or a National Senior Certificate that meets the requirements for a diploma or degree course is a prerequisite, depending on the chosen course of study.

Many chefs have only a 2-year degree and rely on additional work experience to improve their career opportunities. Other chefs get their start through on-the-job training or apprenticeship programmes and work their way up without completing any formal education.

What Subjects Do I Need?

Contact each institution for their specific requirements, but these subjects are recommended:

Hospitality Studies

Physical Science

Mathematics

Consumer Studies.

Types of Chefs

Managerial Chefs

In managerial chef positions, there is an established hierarchy because these chefs have the most responsibility in the kitchen to ensure the restaurant’s overall success. The following roles are listed in descending order.

Chef-Owner (Group Chef)

Primary Task: Business Management

There is only one per kitchen.

They are responsible for running the establishment as a whole.

They will often work on menu engineering.

Executive Chef (Chef de Cuisine, Head Chef)

Primary Task: Kitchen Management

There is only one per kitchen, leading to high competition for the role.

They oversee daily operations, kitchen costs, food preparation, and menu planning.

They will often create most of the new recipes and dishes for the menu.

How long does it take to become a chef in South Africa?

Food Preparation and Culinary Arts Diploma: This is a 2-year course that provides aspiring chefs with the foundation they need. Various disciplines are covered, including the preparation and production of high-quality food, culinary health and safety, and kitchen management skills.

Where can I study to become a chef in South Africa?

The Institute of Culinary Arts, Stellenbosch, South Africa. Award winning and Internationally rated the Best Chef School in Africa and one of the top three culinary schools in the world. Enter as an amateur and become a highly skilled, world-class chef.

What qualifications do you need to become a chef?

How to become a chef

University. You could study for a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

College. One way into the job is to take a college course, like a Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery or Level 4 Diploma in Professional Culinary Arts.

Apprenticeship.

Work.

Volunteering.

More Information.

How much is a chef course in South Africa?

Chef schools in South Africa generally cost between 15,000 to 150,000 Rands, depending on the duration of courses, and the certifications that come with them.

What chefs are in demand?

Employment of chefs and head cooks is projected to grow 25 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 18,800 openings for chefs and head cooks are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Is it hard to become a chef?

That’s even harder. “Having a family while being a chef is an exercise in lifelong sleep deprivation,” says Edward Lee, chef-owner of 610 Magnolia and MilkWood in Louisville, Kentucky. “It forces you to manage your time down to the minute. It is insanely difficult but not impossible.”

Is being a chef a stressful job?

Yes, cooking for a living which may mean being a line or pastry cook or even a chef is one of the most grueling lines of work in America. It’s stressful with long hours, low pay, and little room for growth, according to Career Cast.

Is a chef a good career?

The foodservice industry is growing fast, which makes becoming a chef a lucrative and appealing career path for many people. Additionally, the growth of the Food Network and proliferation of YouTube celebrity chefs have glamorized the industry. But, working in the restaurant industry is not like what you see on TV.