ICA Chef School South Africa

ICA Chef School South Africa

At the ICA we train students to become true professionals who challenge conformity and present the food world with fresh and inspiring ideas.

Our philosophy is simple – we believe in excellence in every aspect of the traditional culinary arts. The ICA offers specialised chef and lecturing faculty resources and our custom designed training kitchens boast only the most sophisticated modern equipment. The extensive curriculum is based on classical French gastronomy and our course objectives are driven and endorsed by the industry.

We also devote a large portion of our tuition to practical training, as this provides students with a solid foundation and the freedom to explore new techniques and trends. Students spend between 22 to 26 hours per week on intensive practical training, conducted under an impressive student/lecturer ratio of 6:1.

The ICA is recognised as the leading training facility of its kind in South Africa and our students are known to set the industry standards. Our highly regarded training partners are both locally and internationally acclaimed, and we’ve proven our flair at numerous prestigious culinary events and industry competitions.

The ICA is also the proud recipient of the 2004 (Afrikaanse Handels Instituut) AHI Old Mutual Business of the Year award, the IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals) Award of Excellence 2007, an International City & Guilds Centre of Excellence 2016/2017 Award, an International City & Guilds Medal for Excellence for Tutor of the Year (Senior Chef Lecturer, Merizle Mitrovich) 2016 as well as having more than 20 ICA-trained chefs listed in South Africa’s EatOut Best Restaurants top ranks in the past five years!

3 YEAR ADVANCED DIPLOMA

Advanced Culinary Arts, Advanced Pâtisserie & Specialist Culinary Field

Introduction

If you dream of making your mark in the broader culinary world, look no further than the Three-Year ICA Diploma. ICA’s flagship three year programme equips students with comprehensive ICA credentials, encompassing full chefs qualifications and advanced patisserie accreditation. Optional International qualification further expands your education through invaluable trade-related subjects such as Supplier Relations & Manageability and Entrepreneurship in Hospitality.

The ICA is the only culinary institution offering additional career options within the hospitality industry, with a choice of specialization fields in the final year of study. Employment opportunities are both extensive and inspiring, with career paths leading to product development for global companies like Woolworths, food stylists, writers and editors for high-end SA publications, occupations in the thrilling world of television as well as sommeliers in top South African restaurants and international Michelin-starred establishments.

2 YEAR DIPLOMA (COOKING)

Culinary Arts & Advanced Cooking

Introduction

Refine your culinary skills with the ICA 2-year Diploma in Culinary Arts & Advanced Cooking. This in-depth program is focused on individuals with a passion for the exciting food industry and furnishes students with a comprehensive diploma including modernist cuisine and artisan culinary techniques. The curriculum applies intensive theoretical and practical training, coupled with work experience in SA’s leading restaurants.

2 YEAR DIPLOMA (PÂTISSERIE)

Culinary Arts & Advanced Pâtisserie

Introduction

This highly specialized course provides students with the essential theory and practical training to succeed in the ever-evolving world of fine pâtisserie. The course includes an International diploma and invaluable practical training with industry partners who are at the forefront of this unique culinary field. This is a course for the individual with patience, precision and absolute perseverance.

CAREERS

Many more diverse and exciting career opportunities have opened up in recent years. Greater recognition is given to the professional status of cheffing and presently more chefs enjoy the rich rewards of the profession.

The expectations and demands on highly energetic and creative chefs of earlier years have increased to include management, administrative and strategic planning skills particularly at senior level. We encourage prospective applicants to consider the opportunities that lie beyond the kitchen counters of restaurants, hotels, lodges and catering companies

Awaken your culinary senses to the adventure of new careers in retail, franchising, the wine industry, lifestyle destinations in tourism, media communications, food journalism and publishing, new business development and product development… the options are endless.

ACCOMMODATION

The ICA is well situated, being only 10 km’s from Stellenbosch town centre in the heart of the Western Cape Winelands.  The campus is a mere hour’s drive away from pristine beaches and the bustling Cape Town metropolis and in close proximity to some of the country’s most beautiful nature trails for hiking, mountain biking and various other outdoor activities.

Being situated on a private smallholding, the ICA purposefully decided not to offer accommodation on campus.  We realize that student-life only happens once, and therefore recommend that students find accommodation in the greater Stellenbosch area (either in town or even on the surrounding farms and wine estates) to enable them to participate in the broader, well-known, social Stellenbosch student-life.

Staying in some of the most popular, independently operated resses, students can  participate, embrace and enjoy the exciting, vibrant student life that has become synonymous with Stellenbosch.  As many ICA students often find accommodation in the same areas in town, lift clubs are encouraged and formed easily for daily traveling to and from campus.

Above all, Stellenbosch offers craft and micro breweries, artisan food markets, award-winning wines from the beautiful nearby estates and some of the best restaurants and dining options that South Africa has to offer.

Bursaries

APPLY NOW FOR THE 2019 WOOLWORTHS TASTE & EAT OUT CULINARY BURSARY

Woolworths TASTE & Eat Out has chosen the ICA to be one of their Culinary Bursary Partners. The Woolworths TASTE & Eat Out Culinary Bursary will be awarded to a student to train as a professional chef for one year. The scholarship will begin in 2019.

Do you think you have what it takes to become a culinary genius? Do you have a passion for food and cooking and show a keen interest in raising the standard of South Africa’s culinary industry?

TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR THE 2019 WOOLWORTHS TASTE & EAT OUT CULINARY BURSARY

1. Applicants must be South African citizens.
2. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
3. Applicants must be available to start tuition from January 2019
4. Applicants must show proof of at least six months’ work experience in a professional kitchen, i.e. restaurant, shop, café as a paid employee or intern.
5. Applicants should ideally be supported by a stable home environment.
6. Living expenses, transport costs, accommodation and personal expenses are not included in the bursary.
7. The bursary winner must attend the participating school closest to their place of residence.

HOW TO APPLY

Complete the 5-page online application form below or alternatively, download the application form here, complete and email the completed form and required documents to taste@newmediapub.co.za.

Applications close 15 August 2018.
If you haven’t heard from us by 15 October 2018, please consider your application unsuccessful.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM

1. YOUR GOALS AND AMBITIONS
Please submit a letter of no more than 200 words explaining why you feel you should win the bursary.
2. ASSESSMENT
Your answers to the following five questions:

  • If you were an ingredient, what would you be?
  • What do you hope to be doing in five years’ time?
  • Which chef or food personality do you most identify with? Why?
  • Please ask a work friend/colleague to answer this question: What has it been like to work with the applicant?
  • Where do you go to get food inspiration? Which websites/magazines/blogs are you most inspired by?

3. A favourite photo of yourself
4. A copy of your South African ID document

 

Main Campus Contact

  • Institute of Culinary Arts at Banhoek
  • Farm Calenick, Zevenrivieren Road, Banhoek, Stellenbosch
  • Po Box 6314, Uniedal, Stellenbosch, 7612
  • Tel: +27 (0) 21 885 1414
  • E-mail: info@icachef.co.za
  • Website: www.icachef.co.za