Fuel your culinary passion at Capsicum Culinary Studio With the school’s new food and beverage programme, its Career Centres launch and the upcoming Open Day

 Capsicum Culinary Studio – the largest chef school of its kind in South Africa with six campuses throughout the country and numerous graduates employed worldwide – has announced the launch of a new food and beverage programme and internal Career Centres.

Celebrating its 21^st year in operation, Capsicum is introducing a one-year, full-time Food and Beverage Service Programme, which brings together elements of food and drink preparation and service, and develops the foundational ability for learners to supervise food and beverage service operations. Students in this field will have the opportunity to build the fundamental skills to develop into future hospitality service excellence individuals, and the qualification is applicable to all food and beverage operations, from small restaurants to large-scale hotels. The first intake will be in February.

Other qualifications on offer at Capsicum include the one-year Professional Chef Programme (full or part-time), the hugely popular one-year professional Patisserie Programme, the three-year advanced Professional Chef Programme and the Assistant Chef and Assistant Baker Programmes. There’s also the Rookie Chef programme, which is offered exclusively to high-school learners.

This year also sees the launch of Career Centres at all six Capsicum Culinary Studio campuses, which enables the school’s registered students to undergo interviews and explore job opportunities with key industry partners. This seamless connection between Capsicum Culinary Studio and its industry partners helps facilitate a smooth transition for students from education to placement and ultimately employment.

Says Candice Adams, Academic Operations Manager for Capsicum Culinary Studio: “Our commitment to maintaining strong relationships with industry partners is embedded in our institutional ethos. By fostering collaboration, staying abreast of industry dynamics and actively seeking input from professionals, we are able to help our students remain relevant, develop a dynamic work ethos and align with the evolving needs of the sector. This maximises graduates’ opportunities for success in building meaningful careers that can take them anywhere in the world.”

Since it was established in 2003, Capsicum Culinary Studio has produced more than

8 000 alumni who are now working all over the globe and who have established themselves as leaders within various markets. Employers range from boutique establishments to large multi-national hotels and resorts. Others have taken the entrepreneurial route and established their own hospitality-inspired businesses and consultancies.

Capsicum Culinary Studio courses offer dual international certification through City and Guilds and are nationally accredited with CATHSSETA and the QCTO,  attributing to their alumni making their mark throughout the world. Capsicum Culinary Studio has partnerships with The Swiss Education Group (SEG), the American Hotel Academy (AHA) and are members of The South African Chefs Association, and by extension The World Association of Chefs Societies, exposing learners to international standards and opportunities.