A Food Technologist is not a Chef or a Dietician!

Food Technologist are scientists and they’re in demand!

Food Technology is the scientific study of the large-scale production and preservation of foods as well as the development and analysis of foodstuffs in industrial food processing facilities.

Food Technologists apply scientific methods to:

• food selection
• preserving
• processing flavourful and nutritious food
• packaging
• distribution
• hygiene (meeting government standards)

They  usually work behind the scenes in factories manufacturing food products on industrial scale.

3 Areas of Food Technology:

• food microbiology
• food chemistry
• food engineering

Food Technologists fulfil important roles in food manufacturing companies. They’re responsible for quality control, production management and new product development.

What does a Food Technologist do?

• ensure food is produced safely and hygienically
• follow government quality and safety standards
• develop new manufacturing processes
• invent new recipes for foods and drinks
• use newly discovered ingredients
• modify foods to improve them (eg – reduce the fat content for health reasons)
• work closely with product development teams and packaging consultants
• conduct scientific experiments
• create samples
• work with various flavours and textures
• work within budgets
• review sustainability programmes

Are you . . . ?

• interested in science?
• passionate about food production?
• responsible?
• detail orientated?
• methodical?
• patient?

How do I become a Food Technologist?

• UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG

3 year National Diploma, BTech and MTech in Food Technology

Compulsory subjects: Mathematics, Physical Science and Life Science

http://www.uj.ac.za/EN/Faculties/science/departments/foodtech/Pages/default.aspx

• CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

http://www.cput.ac.za/academic/faculties/appliedsciences/prospectus/course?i=217&seo=TkQ6IEZPT0QgVEVDSE5PTE9HWQ==

• TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

http://www.tut.ac.za/Students/facultiesdepartments/science/departments/biofoodandtech/

• DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

http://www.dut.ac.za/taxonomy/term/56

For more information:

• SAAFoST: South African Association for Food Science and Technology

http://www.saafost.org.za/

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Pastry Chef or Toxicologist

Is becoming a Food Technologist the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

Pastry Chefs are in demand!

Here’s a finger-licking, sweet job for you!  If you have a passion for food, particularly pastries, desserts, breads and other baked goods, then becoming a Pastry Chef may be the job for you.

They are usually employed in large hotels, in upmarket restaurants and in bakeries.

Some Pastry Chefs work on cruise liners – so, this job, could take you to interesting places around the world!

A Pastry Chef can also be called a confectioner.  Some Pastry Chefs may even consider doing extra training so that they can become chocolatiers as well.

The more training you have, the more employable you will become.

What does a Pastry Chef do?

• meeting and discussing details and plans with the head chef
• planning the menus
• designing, making and tasting new dishes
• keeping stock and ordering stock
• preparing the menu dishes, baking breads and making desserts etc
• researching in cookery books and magazines to get inspired
• constantly upgrading training and experience

Are you … ?

• crazy about food and working with food?
• creative?
• a person with a strong personality?
• a person who has a taste for flavours?
• organised?
• a good communicator?
• good with your hands?
• detail orientated?
• a person who takes pride in their work?
• able to work under extreme stress?
• a team player

How do I become a Pastry Chef?

There are different options to take:

Education and Training Colleges (FET) may offer programmes for specific Trade or Skills: eg. Pastry Chef.

Visit the Career Planet Training Institutions page to find your nearest FET College.

For example: 

• ORBIT FET COLLEGE:

http://www.orbitcollege.co.za/

Private institutions:

• PRUE LEITH:

http://www.prueleith.co.za/article/pastry-chef-courses/#.UFBKViJ4O_0

• CAPSICUM CULINARY SCHOOL:

Offers day courses, part-time and a full time Diplomas in Patisserie
http://www.capsicumcooking.com/courses.htm

• FBI CHEF SCHOOL & PATISSERIE ACADEMY:

Offers a 6 month Diploma in Patisserie and a 1 year Advanced Diploma in Patisserie
http://www.fbichefschool.co.za/full-time-courses/

• SOUTH AFRICAN CHEFS ASSOCIATION:

http://www.saca.co.za/

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Chef and Caterer  

Is becoming a Pastry Chef the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

At the moment, the baking industry faces a critical shortage of skilled labour which impacts on productivity and the bottom line.

These means – that becoming a Baker might ensure you have a job at the end of the day.

A Baker works in a bakery.  They bake and sell breads, cakes and similar foods.

The boundary between a Baker and a Pastry Chef have blurred over the past few years, so some Bakers now bake pastries and confectioneries too.

Large bakeries are generally automated so that the role of the Baker has changed to supervising staff who operate the machines and keeps an eye on the whole process.

In smaller bakeries, more work is done by hand by the Baker themselves.

What does a Baker do?

• work from recipes and formulae
• measure ingredients
• make breads, pastries, tarts, pies, cookies, cakes etc
• monitor baking time so that items don’t burn
• manage staff
• order ingredients and keep details of stock
• come up with new products/recipes
• keep up to date with baking techniques and technology
• price items

Are you … ?

• interested in baking?
• a person with a good sense of taste?
• a team player?
• able to read and write?  Can you follow a recipe?
• able to do basic mathematics?
• willing to work unusual hours?  Some Bakers have to get up really early in the morning.
• organised?
• observant?
• slightly creative?
• able to work in a hot environment?
• able to stand for long periods?
• neat and tidy?
• good with your hands and fingers?
• able to do detailed work?

How do I become a Baker?

• ANCHOR BAKERY TRAINING CENTRE:  (Johannesburg) 

Offers many courses on bread making and other baking skills

http://www.anchor.co.za/bakery.php?page=117

All the skills programmes are registered with the Foodbev SETA; and contribute to the National Certificate in Craft Bread and Flour Confectionery Baking (NQF 2).

In addition to the accredited skills programmes, Anchor also offers courses in Baking Theory (Ingredients and Process – 1 Day) and Practical Bread-faults (2 days).

• THE PRIVATE HOTEL SCHOOL:  (Stellenbosch)

http://www.privatehotelschool.co.za/professional-certification-short-courses.html

Offers 6 month courses:  Professional Baking and Pastry

• PRUE LEITH:  (Gauteng)

http://www.prueleith.co.za/course/diploma-in-patisserie/#.T_GlS5Hm4dU

Offers a Diploma in Patisserie (5 Months / Full Time)

• SILWOOD SCHOOL OF COOKERY:  (Rondebosch)

http://www.silwood.co.za/courses/professional-courses/patisserie-diploma/

Part-time certificate in Patisserie

• THE BAKER:  Offers various ways of training to get into this industry

http://www.thebaker.co.za/ad_vol13no1traingoverview08.html

http://www.thebaker.co.za/ad_vol13no11training.html

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Chef and Caterer

Is becoming a Baker the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

Other names for butcher:

• Blockman
  

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – All about a career as a Butcher

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is a Butcher?

A Butcher is a professional who cuts and prepares meat for sale. 

They range from supermarket Butchers who work with already-slaughtered (killed) animals to traditional Butchers who travel to farms to kill the animals humanely themselves.  

Butchery is a skilled trade. It needs a lot of training and these skills are often passed down from one family member to another. Once the carcass (dead animal) is back in the butchery, the Butcher then cuts it up, trims off the fat and prepares it for packaging for the shelves.  

A Butcher may be employed by supermarkets, grocery stores, butcher shops, fish markets or can be self-employed. Some butchers may also specialise in charcuterie (making various cured meats).

What does a Butcher do?

• receives carcasses (humanely slaughtered animals)
• in some cases, slaughters the animals humanely
• stores meat in refrigerators
• cuts, trims and prepares meats for sale purposes
• weighs, packs and prices
• displays meat attractively in counters
• advises shoppers on various cuts of meat and cooking methods
• maintains sterile, hygienic work areas
• maintains all equipment is in good working order
• sharpesn knives, saws etc
• forecasts shoppers needs – (seasonal shopping eg Christmas)
• minces, pickles, curries, cures, smokes etc meats where required
• makes sure safety procedures are adhered to at all times

Are you … ?

• interested in working with raw meat?
• able to kill an animal humanely?
• a person with good listening skills?
• a person with good eye-hand coordination?
• neat?
• organised?
• friendly and helpful?
• healthy?
• safety conscious?
• team-player?
• hygenic?
• a good manager of people?
• able to stand for long periods at a time?
• a person with a positive personality?

How do I become a Butcher? 

Most Butchers start as a learner and study for diplomas and/or certificates while on the job.

• SA BUTCHERY TRAINING SCHOOL:  (countrywide) 

http://www.butcherschool.co.za/meat-processing.htm

• PRUE LEITH

6 week butchery training course

http://www.prueleith.co.za/article/butchery-training/#.VLdLEMm_TK8

Other routes you can follow:

PATH 1

• Apprenticeship
• Trade Test

PATH 2

• Learnership – Meat Processing Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 3

• Learnership – Fresh Meat Processing Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 4

• National Certificate: Butchers: N1
• National Certificate: Poultry Meat Examiner: N2
• Workplace experience
• Trade Test

PATH 5

• Artisan Internship
• Trade Test

PATH 6

• RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) for Artisans: CLICK HERE
• If you have already been working a long time as a Butcher without qualifications, you may be able to get your qualification through RPL
• Trade Test

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Baker … or … Maitre d’

Is becoming a Butcher the right career choice for me?

A person who makes wine is traditionally called a Winemaker or vintner.

Wine making is a very expensive industry to be involved in, so one has to be extremely observant and careful throughout the whole wine making process.  Even a small mistake can turn out to be very costly.

Science is playing an increasingly important role in winemaking and some Winemakers specialise in the research and the development of wine.

The study of wine making can be divided into two main areas:

• Viticulture  : which is the study of grape cultivation
• Oenology       : which is the study of wines and wine making

A Winemaker traditionally makes wine from grapes, but it can also be made from other fruit such eg strawberries or blackberries or parts of flowers like dandelions and elderflowers.  Wine, believe it or not, can also be made from honey, known as Mead.

Winemakers working in large wineries are usually in charge of the technical side of the business, while those working in small wineries may be responsible for the whole winemaking process (from the growing of the grapes to the bottling and marketing of the finished product).

What does a Winemaker do?

• they organise and co-ordinate the production of wine from start to finish
• they are responsible for selection of grape varieties
• in charge of watering, feeding, training, and pruning the vines
• control pests and diseases
• determine the correct time for harvest
• manage the crushing of grapes
• in charge of fermenting juices, fortifying, clarifying, maturing and finishing wines
• direct the filtering of wine to remove remaining solids
• place filtered wine in casks or tanks for storage and maturation
• bottle wine once it has matured
• undertakequality control
• conduct laboratory tests to monitor and ensure grape quality
• directworkers and supervise staff in the production of wine
• investigate various planting programs and the cultivation and production of grapes
• supervise the maintenance of the vineyard
• liaise with other wineries
• liaisewith sales and marketing
• give wine tours and tastings to the tourist industry

Are you . . . ?

• passionate about wine?
• interested in farming?
• interested in science and chemistry?
• a person with a keen sense of taste and smell?
• analytical?
• observant?
• a person with great communication skills?
• a good manager?
• a problem solver?
• patient?
• willing to work long hours?

How do I become a Winemaker?

DEGREE:

• UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH

A BScAgric in Viticulture and Oenology or a BScAgriculture Oenology, which is a specialized programme, can be obtained from the University of Stellenbosch to qualify as a wine maker.

Minimum entry requirements:  

National Senior Certificate meeting degree entry requirements

Required school subjects:

Mathematics level 4, Physical Science and/or Life Science level 4 and Agricultural Science level 6.

ALTERNATIVE TRAINING:

• ELSENBURG
  

Cape Institute for Agricultural Training www.elsenburg.com

B.Agric Cellar Management at Cape Institute for Agricultural Training: Elsenburg (in conjunction with the University of Stellenbosch) 

Diploma in Cellar Technology (one year): Modular programme aimed at training candidates as winemakers: Elsenburg 

Minimum entry requirements:  

National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate.

Required school subjects:

English, Mathematics/Mathematics Literacy, Physical Science/Life Science/ Agricultural Sciences

• CAPE WINE ACADEMY
  

The Cape Wine Academy (www.capeacademy.co.za) provides a range of professional courses for individuals who have an interest in wine making and the wine industry.

Courses offered are: 

• South African Wine course
• Certificate Wine course
• Diploma Wine Course
• Tertiary Wine studies
• Cape Wine Masters
• Wine Marketing course 

Minimum entry requirements:  

Applicants must be older than 18 years.

Required school subjects:

None specified

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Sommelier or Agricultural Technician

Is becoming a Winemaker the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

A Cheesemaker is an artisan who makes cheese! 

A Cheesemaker turns milk into cheese. 

The milk can come from:

• cows
• goats
• sheep
• buffalo
• or any other animal which feed the young milk

There are basically 3 kinds of cheeses:

• Hard:  Parmigiano / Pecorini / Emmental etc
• Semi-soft: Gorgonzola / Goats Milk Log / Stilton etc
• Soft:  Brie / Camembert / Mozzarella etc

A Cheesemaker can work in large cheese manufacturing plants or for themselves. 

As a self-employed Cheesemaker you could sell your cheeses to delis, fine-dining restaurants or sell them yourself at food markets.

What does a Cheesemaker do?

• following a recipe
• pasteurizes the milk
• maintaining the correct temperatures
• tinting the cheese (adding colourants)
• adding key ingredients like rennet and cultures to make the cheese ‘set’
• adding flavourant if required:  for example sundried tomatoes, olives, herbs etc
• removing the whey – the water substance
• shaping cheeses
• storing cheese so that they can ‘cure’ (mature) and ripen
• regularly testing cheeses to check maturity

Are you … ?

• a person with a good palate?  you can taste the slight differences between flavours.
• good with your hands?
• passionate about food?
• adventurous with food?
• patient?
• accurate?
• hygiene conscious?

How do I become a Cheesemaker?

There are no cheese schools or colleges that provide training in cheese making but there are a number of private places that offer short courses:

• GROOTPLAAS DE RUST CHEESE ACADEMY:

http://www.cheeseacademy.co.za/

• FINEST KIND:

http://www.finestkind.co.za/index.html

• CHEESEMAKING.CO.ZA:

http://www.cheesemaking.co.za/

• ANGEL DOW:

Offers courses in goat’s cheese making

http://www.dairygoat.co.za/products/cheese/index.asp

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Chef or Sommelier

Is becoming a Cheesemaker the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

Occupation Code: 513201

A Barista is a person who prepares and serves espresso-based coffee drinks. Barista jobs are popular all around the world. As the coffee grows internationally, there are many work opportunities for good baristas. South Africa is no exception! 
Baristas work in restaurants, coffee shops, bars and food markets. Their main job is to operate espresso machines. Besides making espresso, baristas also foam, froth and steam milk to make a wide range of espresso-based drinks, including cappuccino, caffè latte, caffè mocha, flat white and Americano.  They are also sometimes required to make, and serve, snacks to go with coffee.
Baristas need to be able to work independently or as part of a team. Their job is to serve excellent coffee and create happy customers who come back for more! The right attitude, aptitude and excellent communication skills are important for this job! 
While this job may sound simple, baristas do much more than make customers’ coffee. 

What does a bartender do?

•	Greets customers, takes orders, and uses excellent time management and organizational skills to prepare and serve coffee, blended coffee, cold drinks, teas, espresso, snacks etc
•	Explains and/or educates customers on coffee, and other drink and snack options 
•	Makes sure all areas, including bathrooms, are kept clean and germ-free. 
•	Deals with, and resolving, customer issues efficiently and politely. 
•	Takes stock of ingredients and utensils such as coffee cups, straws, serviettes etc.
•	Supervises stock levels, refills stock and communicates with management to ensure there is enough stock.

Are you:

friendly and positive?
organised?
a multi-tasker?
observant?
confident?

How do I become a Barista?

Training is usually offered onsite, but Barista training schools are becoming popular places to learn the trade 
Many baristas take great pride in their skills and spend years perfecting techniques for crafting perfect drinks. This has led to international Barista competitions. Click here for more information

Did you know: The word barista originated in Italy, where it means a "bartender" who serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including coffee and espresso drinks.