Silwood School of Cookery

The Silwood School of Cookery is South Africa’s oldest cookery school, boasting student achievement unmatched by any other cookery school in the country.

Silwood School of Cookery Courses

Silwood Certificate Course 

• A one year, full-time intensive course during which students master all the professional methods and techniques needed for a career in a professional kitchen. 
• A maximum of 48 students are selected each year and classes are limited to 12, so students receive the best, individual instruction and attention.

Silwood Patisserie Certificate (part-time)

A one year, part-time Silwood Certificate in Patisserie, this qualification includes the City & Guilds Diploma in Patisserie Qualification (code 8065).This very intensive part time course is designed to equip students with the skills needed for a career in a pastry kitchen, as well as a comprehensive understanding of food purchasing, costing and storage.

The course is designed to suit working people, who do not have the time to study full time. Classes will be held every Thursday from 7h30/8h00-17h30 during the school’s calendar year.

The curriculum will include the following:

• Practical Baking, including all methods of cake making, biscuits and pastries
• Bread making and yeast products
• The world of Desserts from classic French to modern
• Confectionery, Chocolate and Sweet making
• Sugar Craft Skills / icing
• Baking Theory
• Food Purchasing and Costing
• Hygiene and Safety
• Kitchen maintenance and design

Diploma Course

• This is a practical year in which students consolidate the skills acquired in the Silwood certificate course through practical industry experience.

• The student works in a restaurant kitchen, a hotel kitchen, a catering operation, guest house and one other food industry operation, ie: a bakery, development kitchen etc.

• The student spends an 8-9 week period in each type of establishment. This allows the student to experience all the different kitchen types and then make an educated decisions as to what type of kitchen their individual skills are best suited. Students also attend lectures at school every Monday.

Grande Diplome

• After completing the diploma course, students will have a realistic understanding of the type of kitchen to which they are best suited.

• For their Grande Diplome they must work for 12 months in a Silwood approved culinary establishment. The aim of which is to hone the individual skills they will need to flourish in their chosen field and complete a one year apprenticeship under the auspices of the school.

• Successful completion of a practical and written examinations determine success in achieving the coveted Silwood Grande Diplome.

• Silwood Grande Diplome graduates are eligible to apply for entrance into the University of Cape Towns’ postgraduate diploma in entrepreneurship (management), offered by the Department of Commerce.

Professional Courses

1 Year Silwood Cordons Bleus Certificate

• Practical Cookery & Theory of Cookery
• Baking Practical & Theory of Baking
• Icing Practical
• Confectionery and Sweet making Practical
• Nutrition
• Art of the Table
• French Menu Compilation
• Wine Appreciation and Culture (Cape Wine Academy)
• International Cookery
• Food Purchasing and Costing
• History of Cuisine
• Hygiene and Safety
• Vegetable and Herb Gardening

2 Year Silwood Cordons Bleus Diplome

Practical In-service Training

• Students complete five 8-week in-service blocks

Students attend classes at school every Monday where they complete:

• A product development course
• A business plan for opening their own restaurant
• Advanced Sugar Craft skills
• Recipe Book
• The Cape Wine Academy Wines of the World course
• Mystery basket practical exam
• External practical exam set by Luke Dale Roberts and marked by accredited fine dining chefs

3 Year Silwood Cordons Bleus Grande Diplome

Student completes the following during the 3^rd year:

• 12 month apprenticeship in one establishment
• A thesis
• Written exam
• A Practical exam in the work place for 18 – 20 guests.

Silwood School of Cookery Contact Details

Address 40 Riverton Rd, Rondebosch, 7700, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Tel: +27 (0)21 686 4894

Email: [email protected]