IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

Closure of the South African Chefs Academy

After nearly two decades of culinary excellence, the South African Chefs Academy will permanently close its doors. Since 2004, we have dedicated ourselves to bridging the skills gap for aspiring chefs, providing practical training by chefs for chefs. We’ve focused on equipping our students with the confidence and expertise needed to thrive in the culinary industry.

While we are saddened by this decision, we are immensely proud of the impact we’ve made together. Our students have trained under the guidance of qualified and experienced chef instructors, mastering the classic French repertoire through hands-on learning. The legacy of our intensive courses and commitment to quality will live on in the careers of our graduates.

To all our students, alumni, staff, and the culinary community: thank you for being part of the South African Chefs Academy journey. Your passion and dedication have shaped our Academy into a respected institution. As we close this chapter, we encourage you to carry forward the spirit of excellence you’ve cultivated here.

With heartfelt gratitude,

The South African Chefs Academy

Why Become a chef?

Career Opportunities

What can you do with your culinary accreditation? We believe your options are endless but here are our Top 5 picks:
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Paris, Tokyo, Barcelona, London, New York…work your way up from commis to executive chef in culinary capitals around the globe.

Start Your Own Business
Restaurants, cafes, bistros, delis, catering companies…channel your entrepreneurial spirit and be your own boss.

Travel the World
Work on private yachts and luxury cruise ships and earn dollars as sous chef, chef de partie, first cook or personal chef.

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TV, film, digital, print…add your creative flair as a food stylist on menu, website, book and ad shoots.

Start your career

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What is SA Chefs Academy all about?

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Why SA Chefs Academy?

Why Study with Us?

There are a number of places in South Africa where you can study some form of cookery but what makes SA Chefs Academy stand out from the rest?

Practical

We don’t believe in learning through demonstrations. Our students are in the kitchen practising their craft with a practical every day.

Intensive

We have the most intensive course in South Africa which means that students master the basics and get out into the industry quickly.

Expert

Every one of our instructors are qualified and experienced chefs who can teach based on industry knowledge.

All-inclusive

Uniforms, knife sets, equipment and ingredients are all included in course fees and students are not required to purchase supplies for practicals or exams.

Recognised

Our cookery and theory courses are internationally recognised and Highfield UK-accredited.

Quality

We only send our students to 5-star establishments to complete their industry experience.

Experience SA Chefs Academy
We invite you to come in, tour our facilities and join a class to see first-hand, what it’s like at the SA Chefs Academy before you make your decision to study.
Book a Tour

Study Options

Full-time Courses

Do you want to start working in the industry as soon as possible and jump start your career as a chef? Browse our full time courses and become a chef
within a year.

Professional Cookery & Pastry Diploma

 

  • One Year

  • Full-time Course

  • Highfield UK-accredited

  • 1st intake in Mid January

Find out more
Professional Cookery Diploma

 

  • 6 Months

  • Full-time Course

  • Highfield UK-accredited

  • 1st intake in Mid January

Find out more
Professional Pastry Diploma

 

  • 6 Months

  • Full-time Course

  • Highfield UK-accredited

  • 1st intake in Mid January

Find out more

International & local students welcome

Students from all around South Africa and the world choose to study at the SA Chefs Academy, including students from Germany, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and England. If you are from outside of Cape Town, contact us for more information.

Get in touch

Part-time Courses

Day Release Part-time Courses

Are you already in the industry but want a recognised accreditation to take you further in your career? Browse our part time courses that allow you to study while you continue to work.

Food Preparation & Cooking Principles

 

  • 5 Months

  • Part-time Course

  • Highfield UK-accredited

  • 1st intake in Mid January

  • 2nd intake in July

Find out more
Professional Cookery Diploma

 

  • 5 Months

  • Part-time Course

  • Highfield UK-accredited

  • 1st intake in Mid January

  • 2nd intake in July

Find out more
Professional Pastry Certificate

 

  • 5 Months

  • Part-time Course

  • Highfield UK-accredited

  • 1st intake in Mid January

  • 2nd intake in July

Find out more
Professional Pastry Diploma

 

  • 10 Months

  • Part-time Course

  • Highfield UK-accredited

  • 1st intake in Mid January

Find out more
Food Preparation & Cooking Principles

 

  • 5 Months

  • Part-time Course

  • Highfield UK-accredited

  • 1st intake in Mid January

  • 2nd intake in July

Find out more
Professional Cookery Diploma

 

  • 5 Months

  • Part-time Course

  • Highfield UK-accredited

  • 1st intake in Mid January

  • 2nd intake in July

Find out more
Professional Pastry Certificate

 

  • 5 Months

  • Part-time Course

  • Highfield UK-accredited

  • 1st intake in Mid January

  • 2nd intake in July

Find out more
Professional Pastry Certificate

 

  • 10 Months

  • Part-time Course

  • Highfield UK-accredited

  • 1st intake in Mid January

Find out more
Short courses | Held every two months

Maritime Health & Safety 2 Day Program

This program is for anyone looking to work and prepare food on yachts or cruise liners.

Enquire

Who we are?

About the South African Chefs Academy

While heading up kitchens at hotels and restaurants, SA Chefs Academy founders saw how students and graduates came into the industry without the necessary skills or confidence they needed to succeed. The South African Chefs Academy opened to bridge the gap. Since its inception in 2004, the academy has strived to provide a practical course for chefs by chefs without the added extras that are not relevant to the kitchen. We teach the classic French repertoire of cookery and believe that the best way for students to learn is through daily practical training.

Meet the SA Chefs Academy Team

Qualified & Experienced Chef Instructors

Our students are equipped with skills and confidence by chefs who have worked and excelled in the industry so that they are ready to enter the real culinary world. Our resident instructors put students through their paces and help them master the fundamentals. Guest chefs from the industry are invited to instruct so that students are kept up to date with what is happening in the industry.

Paul Hartmann
Owner & Hot Kitchen Instructor

Paul qualified as a chef at the Hotel School in Braamfontein. During his career, Paul was part of, and later coached, the South African national culinary team and worked in a number of 5-star hotels including the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel. Paul first opened the South African Chefs Academy in 2004 and as an avid bread maker also owns Woodstock Bakery.

Jade Benjamin
Pastry & Theory Instructor

Jade earned her professional cookery qualification from Cape Technikon and mastered patisserie at Zevenwacht. She has worked in a number of Protea Hotels as well the Cape Grace Hotel, Grandwest Casino and Zuma in Dubai to name a few.

Hayley Africa
Hot Kitchen & Theory Instructor

Hayley studied cookery and after graduating worked as a chef de partie at Kelvin Grove. She also worked her way up the ranks to sous chef at Grandwest Casino’s Prive Lounge. Hayley found a love for teaching while training staff as a sous chef and now works full time as an instructor.

Achievements

SA Chefs Graduates Successes

Many of our past students have gone on to excel in the industry, running top kitchens and opening their own businesses.

Become part of the industry

Ready to join the ranks of successful chefs, business owners and culinary professionals?

Enroll now

SA Chefs Academy Alumni

Testimonials

I started this restaurant with my business partner Papa San after working with him at Takumi Restaurant after it closed in 2016. As well as owning and operating the restaurant, I work full time in the kitchen. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at SACA, specifically because of the ‘no frills’, rough and tough atmosphere. It prepares you for working in an actual restaurant kitchen. The classes are to the point, teaching real skills needed to start working professionally.

Benjamin Bettendorf

Co-owner Obi Restaurant

The course is great because of its hands-on practical training and covers all the necessary theory. Cooking everyday really sets the tone for what’s to come in your future career. It’s really all about the one-on-one practical training and acutely physical daily cooking that really makes this course more useful than most of the other schools that are theory heavy. It’s a relationship for life not just a school.

 
Ivor Jones

Co-owner and head chef Chef’s Warehouse Beau Constantia

Student Testimonials

What SA Chefs Academy Graduates Say

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you situated?

We are situated in Salt River, Cape Town and only have one location.

How do I apply?

Fill in the contact form at the bottom of this page or contact us directly. We will talk you through the simple enrollment process and supply all the information you need.

What qualifications do I need in order to apply?

  • Professional Cookery & Pastry Diploma One Year Course – NQF Level 2/Grade 10 Required
  • Professional Cookery 6 Months Full-time – NQF Level 2/Grade 10 Required
  • Professional Pastry 6 Months Full-time – NQF Level 2/Grade 10 Required
  • Food Preparation And Cooking Principles 5 Months Part-time – NQF Level 2/Grade 10
  • Professional Pastry 5 Months Part-time – NQF Level 2/Grade 10 or RPL
  • Professional Cookery Diploma 5 Months Part-time – NQF Level 2/Grade 10 or RPL
  • Professional Pastry Diploma 10 Months Part-time – NQF Level 2/Grade 10 or RPL
  • Maritime Health And Safety 2 Day Program – NQF Level 2/Grade 10

When is the cutoff for applications?

Depending on how full the intake is, we may take late applications. Get in touch to find out specific cutoffs.

Do you offer bursaries, scholarships or student loans?

No, we do not offer financial aid but we do have payment plans. Contact us to discuss options.

Do you accept international students?

Yes, we do accept international students.

Do I need a student visa if I am not a SA citizen?

Yes, you do need a student visa in order to stay in South Africa and study. We assist with paperwork.

Do you offer accommodation?

We partner with accommodation companies to provide safe and comfortable options to our students from out of town.

Gallery

As one of the top chef schools in Cape Town, SA Chefs Academy has local and international students.
Graduates from the SA Chefs Academy - one of the top culinary schools - earn an internationally-recognised diploma.
Students are taught the classic French repertoire and modern plating techniques.
SA Chefs Academy graduates are proud to be alumni of one of the top culinary schools in South Africa.
Hot kitchen - cooking - and pastry - which the French call patisserie - form part of the well-rounded curriculum at the SA Chefs Academy.
SA Chefs Academy students are exposed to a variety of ingredients like venison, seasonal vegetables and local flavours.
Unlike many chef schools in Cape Town and South Africa, SA Chefs Academy is practically intense and focuses on time spent in the kitchen.
Culinary students at the SA Chefs Academy enjoy daily practicals where they are able to practice themselves over theory-heavy demonstration favoured at other chef schools.

Start your culinary journey

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CONNECT WITH US

CONTACT

Phone: +27 021 447 3168
During holidays: +27 84 057 7324
Email: info@sachefsacademy.com

FIND US AT

The Brickworks, 13 Brickfield Road, Salt River, Cape Town, 7925

LET’S STAY IN TOUCH!

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