Other names for a Chef:

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – All about the career of a Chef

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – Cafeteria Cooking

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

CLICK HERE

To meet Bonga Ngxingwa – Demi Chef at Nobu Restaurant, Cape Town

What is a Chef?

A Chef usually runs or is in charge of a kitchen in a restaurant, hotel, school, hospital, old-aged home, university, cruise ship, resort etc. 

They are in charge of the kitchen staff, preparing menus, ordering supplies and preparing the food.

Chefs work particularly long hours. This profession demands passion and dedication.

CLICK HERE   

To meet Chef, Matt Manning
to learn more about his cooking career

There are different ranks of Chefs:   

• Commis Chef

usually works under a Chef de Partie – preparing food and learning basic cooking skills

• Chef de Partie

is a junior Chef, usually in charge of one aspect of the kitchen like sauces, vegetables, soups, or salads etc

• Demi Chef

also known as a Line Chef – job can be varied – ranging from meal preparation to budgeting to training employees

• Second Chef/Sous Chef

is usually second in command of the kitchen

• Executive Chef

also known as Head Chef is in charge of the kitchen. They manage the kitchen staff, plan menus, work out budgets and pricing and are generally involved in the business side of the establishment as well as the cooking.

What does a Chef do?

• plans menus
• works out pricing
• works out staff rosters/shifts/schedules
• plans food preparations
• orders supplies and keeps stock
• trains other members of kitchen staff
• enforces health and safety regulations
• creates new dishes
• stores food correctly

Are you … ?

• extremely passionate about food?
• willing to work long and unusual hours, including weekends and late at night?
• able to stand for long periods at a time?
• a person with a good sense of taste?
• able to read and write?
• a person with basic mathematical skills?
• a team player?
• able to work under extreme stress?
• good with your hands?
• creative?

How do I become a Chef?

It’s a longer way round, but you could start off as a kitchen hand or dishwasher in a restaurant or hotel. See under Dishwasher  on our website for more details. 

As a dishwasher, the head Chef might notice your hard work and get you to help them in the kitchen. 

From here, you can collect all the skills necessary to become an assistant chef and then work towards becoming a Head Chef.

BASIC CHEF & COOKING COURSES

Many TVET (FET) colleges, Universities of Technology and specialised ‘hospitality’ institutions offer various cooking / chef courses.

For example:

• Assistant Chef  Training
• Professional Cookery Training 
• Hospitality Management: Professional Cookery

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 routes to take:

PATH 1

• Apprenticeship
• Trade Test

PATH 2

• Learnership – Professional Cookery NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 3

• National Certificate in Food and Beverage Services (NQF Level 2, 3 and 4)
• These can be completed at many TVET (FET) colleges. Check your local college to see what they offer.
• Trade Test

PATH 4

• Certificate in Food and Beverage Service (NQF Level 3)
• Certificate in Food Service Supervision (NQF Level 4)
• Trade Test

PATH 5

• Certificate in Food and Beverage Service (NQF Level 3)
• Certificate in Food and Beverage Service (NQF Level 3)
• Trade Test

PATH 6

• National Certificate: Food Services: N2 and N3
• Workplace experience
• Trade Test

PATH 7

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

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER : Caterer … or … Pastry Chef … or … Baker

Is becoming a Chef the right career choice for me?

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.

They usually work in restaurants, coffee shops, bars and hotels.

Common duties include taking customer orders, serving food and beverages, clearing and setting tables and preparing the bills.

Some Waitrons work part-time to supplement their monthly income, while others wait tables full time.

Those waitering in ‘fine-dining’ establishments can make a lot of money with tips, but to get a job in one of these places takes a lot of experience. 

They will also need to work alongside the Chef to understand the dishes, what ingredients and processes were used so that they can describe them perfectly to the customers.

What does a Waitress, Waiter or Waitron do?

• set tables before guests arrive and after guests leave
• greetcustomers and seat them in smoking or non-smoking areas
• deliver menus and inform customers about the ‘specials of the day’
• take drink and dinner orders
• place order in the kitchen or type it on a computer which will go through to kitchen
• constantly being alert – refreshing customers’ drinks and other requirements
• serve food
• prepare the bill

Are you … ?

• a peoples’ person?
• cheerful, polite and positive?
• neat and tidy?
• a multi-tasker?
• a quick thinker?
• able to read and write?
• able to speak clearly?
• a good listener?
• willing to work long hours – including weekends?
• able to take criticism – some customers can be very difficult?

How do I become a Waitress, Waiter or Waitron?

Most Waiters and Waitresses start off being trained on-the-job whether in a fast-food restaurant or coffee shop. 

One then moves up to working in a small restaurant to get some experience dealing with the public and serving food, before heading up the ladder to become a waitron in a fancy restaurant or hotel.  However, some hotels and restaurants will train you too if you have the ‘personality’ and drive to work for their company.

Attending some training in this area, to improve your skills, will always be an advantage and will get you ahead of the rest. 

For example:

• SAM HOSPITALITY ACADEMY & CONSULTING: (Benoni)

Offers a 5 day short course in Hotel Restaurant Skills  

http://www.samhospitality.co.za/index.php/features

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Restaurant Host/Hostess and Wine Steward/Sommelier

Is becoming a Waitress, Waiter or Waitron the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

The job of a  Tour Bus Driver is to drive a bus professionally, usually for a tour company.  He/she carries passengers safely from one destination to another.

Some Tour Bus Drivers work locally (in cities) and others nationally (driving passengers from one city to another).  They drive specific routes according to specified time schedules.

Some Tour Bus Drivers are also Tour Guides.   

What does a Tour Bus Driver do?

• inspect their bus to ensure that it’s operating properly
• make sure their bus is clean, inside and out
• greet their passengers in a friendly way
• help old or disabled people onto their bus
• drive cautiously to the destination
• obey the rules of the road
• make sure passengers are safe at all times
• make sure luggage is packed correctly and safely
• be a tour guide when necessary

Are you … ?

• people friendly?
• a good and responsible driver?
• able to drive in extreme weather conditions?
• helpful?
• reliable and respectful?
• self-disciplined?
• a person with good eyesight?
• healthy?
• able to handle stress and emergencies?
• able to work shifts?
• good at concentrating for long periods at a time?
• punctual?
• a person with basic mechanical abilities?
• willing to travel?

How do I become a Tour Bus Driver?

A Tour Bus Driver will need to be in possession of a valid code EC Driver’s Licence and also have a PDP (Public Driving Permit).

Most large bus and coach companies also insist that their drivers undergo a full medical examination each year to ensure that the drivers are in good health.

Minimum requirements:  Grade 8 Certificate, 21 years old or older
Some employers prefer higher educational qualifications.
Compulsory subjects:  None
Recommended subjects:  None
The more skills you have, the easier it is to get a job. 

These places offer Advanced Driving Courses:

• The Operator Training Centre
• Emthonjeni Training Centre
• Bloemfontein Training Centre
• Apex Group Training Centre
• Driver Training Scheme at Luipaardsvlei

Some Tour Bus Drivers will also be a Tour Guide. Obviously the more skills you have, the more employable you will be.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Tour Guide and Truck Driver

Is becoming a Tour Bus Driver the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

A Nature Tourist Guide is passionate about nature and usually specialises in a particular field like birds, trees or rock formations etc. 

Some Nature Tourist Guides will have in-depth knowledge of all aspects of South Africa’s natural resources.

A Nature Tourist Guide may operate in a given area like the Western Cape or be stationery at a site, for example The Addo Elephant Park.

What does a Nature Tourist Guide do?

Nature Tourist Guide (area):

• meeting and greeting members of their tour
• being enthusiastic and helpful at all times
• dealing with enquiries and complaints from their tour group
• making sure that tour members are comfortable and safe
• being able to deal calmly with emergencies (eg heart attacks, car accidents, etc)
• making themselves available to their group at all times (24-7)
• keeping up to date with information which would make their tour more interesting

Nature Tourist Guide (site):

• meeting and greeting their tour
• receiving of paid tickets
• giving an interesting talk while guiding the group safely through the site
• answering questions
• monitoring the group at all times that they don’t wander off or damage property
• making sure all members of the group are accounted for at the end of the tour
• being punctual for the next group

Are you … ?

• passionate about the outdoors?
• adventurous?
• a person with good communication skills?
• extremely knowledgeable and skilled about your subject?
• organised?
• a peoples’ person?
• friendly, patient and easy going?
• calm under pressure?
• able to control groups of people?
• physically strong and fit?
• responsible?

How do I become a Nature Tourist Guide?

To become a Tourist Guide a person must complete one (or more) Tourist Guide qualifications registered with CATHSSETA.  They must be registered with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

NOTE: It is illegal to conduct guided tours without the proper qualification or registration.

See under ‘Tourist Guide’ and ‘Field Guide’ on our website for more details.

• ENTABENI NATURE GUIDING TRAINING

Offers a variety of courses: 

http://www.natureguidetraining.com/courses/

• THE NATURE COLLEGE:

http://www.naturecollege.co.za/Nature Guide.htm

• FIELD GUIDING ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA:  FGASA

Offers various adventure courses/training in nature guiding 

http://www.fgasa.co.za/default.asp?CPH_ID=95

• BUSHVELD TRAINING ADVENTURES

Offers a variety of courses and specialisations:

http://bushveldtrainingadventures.co.za/

• DRUMBEAT ACADEMY

http://www.drumbeatacademy.co.za/Courses-TouristGuiding-NatureSiteGuide.html

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Agricultural Technician and Tour Bus Driver

Is becoming a Nature Tourist Guide the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

If you are the kind of person who loves to feel the rush of adrenalin that comes from living on the edge – becoming an Adventure Tourist Guide may be just the career for you!

The adventure tourism is a rapidly growing industry in South Africa. 

Tourists continue to flock to South Africa because of our famous big 5, beautiful scenery, 2 oceans, fantastic weather, a variety of cultures and a good exchange rate. 

All these factors lend themselves well to adventure vacations which include activities like: 

• hiking safaris
• shark diving
• kayaking
• battle re-enactments
• 4 x 4 and overlanding
• horse-back riding
• white-water rafting
• sky diving
• scuba diving
• big game fishing etc

An Adventure Tourist Guide will specialise in one or more of these fields. 

An Adventure Tourist Guide may begin as a regular Tourist Guide – see under ‘Tourist Guide’ on our website for more details – and then specialise at a later date as an Adventure Tourist Guide. 

Or, they may just be so passionate about their subject that they enter their field, with the right qualifications and registration, straight away.

Speaking a foreign language would be a great advantage!

What does an Adventure Tourist Guide do?

• meeting and greeting members of their tour
• co-ordinating accommodation and transport
• being enthusiastic and helpful at all times
• dealing with enquiries and complaints from their tour group
• loading or unloading baggage or other equipment
• making sure that tour members are comfortable and safe
• attending to problems (lost luggage, late arrivals etc)
• providing first aid where necessary
• being able to deal calmly with emergencies (eg heart attacks, car accidents, etc)
• making themselves available to their group at all times (24-7)

Are you … ?

• passionate about the outdoors?
• adventurous?
• a person with good communication skills?
• extremely knowledgeable and skilled about their subject?
• organised?
• a peoples’ person?
• friendly, patient and easy going?
• calm under pressure?
• able to control groups of people?
• physically strong and fit?
• responsible?

How do I become an Adventure Tourist Guide?

To become a Tourist Guide a person must complete one (or more) Tourist Guide qualifications registered with CATHSSETA.  They must be registered with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

NOTE: It is illegal to conduct guided tours without the proper qualification or registration.

For specialisation in Adventure Guiding, here are a few examples:

• ADVENTURE QUALIFICATIONS NETWORK 

They have trained over 1000 adventure guides over the last 13 years. Accredited by CATHSSETA

www.adventure-qualifications.com

• DRUMBEAT ACADEMY

Offers a course in Adventure Guiding. 

http://www.drumbeatacademy.co.za/Courses-TouristGuiding-AdventureGuiding.html

• RIVERMAN SOUTH AFRICA:

Offers training with regard to white-water rafting. 

http://riverman.co.za/training/

• FIELD GUIDING ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA:  FGASA

Offers various adventure courses/training including cave guiding.

http://www.fgasa.co.za/default.asp?CPH_ID=106

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Tour Bus Driver and Tour Guide: Nature

Is becoming an Adventure Tourist Guide the right career choice for me? 

See below for more info.

What is Agri-tourism?

When tourists or private South Africans visit and stay on working farms (cotton, cattle etc) or wineries, buy farm  products, enjoy local entertainment, participate in activities, shop in a country store, or eat a local meal – this is all part of agri-tourism. 

Agri-tourism, although new, is a rapidly growing industry in South Africa.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

What is an Agri-Tourism Guide?

An Agri-Tourism Tourist Guide is therefore a person who specialised in tours that will assist tourists to enjoy and get the maximum benefits from their agri-tour experience. 

These tours may entail driving from one farm to another over long distances, or some might be more adventurous and cycle, hike or horseback from one farm to another if the distances are shorter.  For example: through the Cape winelands.

These tours allow participants like tourists to escape the stresses of traffic, the office and day to day home life.  Parents have recently realised that it’s important for their children to know how food is grown. Children need to know that milk actually comes from a cow – and not a carton!

What does an Agri-Tourism Guide do?

• meeting and greeting members of their tour
• co-ordinating accommodation and transport
• being enthusiastic and helpful at all times
• dealing with enquiries and complaints from their tour group
• loading or unloading baggage or other equipment
• making sure that tour members are comfortable and safe
• attending to unforeseen problems
• providing first aid where necessary
• being able to deal calmly with emergencies (eg heart attacks, car accidents, etc)
• making themselves available to their group at all times (24-7)

Are you … ?

• passionate about the outdoors?
• adventurous?
• a person with good communication skills?
• extremely knowledgeable and skilled about your subject?
• organised?
• a peoples’ person?
• friendly, patient and easy going?
• calm under pressure?
• able to control groups of people?
• physically strong and fit?
• responsible?

How do I become an Agri-Tourism Guide?

To become a Tourist Guide a person must complete one (or more) Tourist Guide qualifications registered with CATHSSETA.  They must be registered with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

NOTE: It is illegal to conduct guided tours without the proper qualification or registration.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Tourist Guide and Tourist Guide: Adventure

Is becoming a Agri- Tourism Guide the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

A Wine Steward or Sommelier is a wine professional who works in a fine-dining restaurant or in an upmarket hotel. 

They are trained and knowledgeable on all aspects of wine making as well as wine & food pairing.  They are much more informed than a wine waiter.

Their most important work is that of wine buying, wine storage, cellar rotation and expert advice and service to consumers. 

Wine Stewards/Sommeliers play a key role in restaurants and can seriously enhance an establishment’s reputation.

What does a Wine Steward or Sommelier do?

• developing appropriate wine lists for the establishment
• training other restaurant staff
• taking delivery of wine and being responsible for its storage
• working with the chef and the team to ‘pair’ wine with the food
• collecting and researching: how food and wine and other alcohols harmonise with food
• being sensitive to customers budget restraints
• constantly researching new wines etc
• attending wine tastings

Are you … ?

• extremely passionate about wine?
• looking to work in the hospitality industry?
• a person with a good sense of taste and smell?
• neat and tidy?
• professional?
• responsible?
• a team player?

How do I become a Wine Steward or Sommelier?

• CAPE WINE ACADEMY

Offers a 7-module course:  Cape Sommelier Course.  Successful candidates will receive both a certificate and an official badge Cape Sommelier

http://www.capewineacademy.co.za/capesommelier.htm 

Minimum requirements: 

3 years of practical experience in the hospitality industry

• UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH

Offers a BScAgric in Viticulture and Oenology

http://www.maties.com/under-graduate-prospectus/agrisciences/food-and-wine-production-systems/bscagric-in-viticulture-and-oenology.html 

Minimum requirements:
Write the National Benchmark Tests AQL and MAT 
NSC an aggregate of at least 55% (excluding Life Orientation)
50-59% English or Afrikaans (Home Language or First Additional Language)
50-59% Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences
OR 40-49% Physical Sciences and 70-79% Agricultural Sciences

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Viticulturist and Food & Beverage Manager

Is becoming a Wine Steward / Sommelier the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

A Tourism Entrepreneur is a person who undertakes a risk to start up their own business.  This risk could end up making a profit or dishing up a loss.

An Entrepreneur usually has a vision, dream or an idea which, with a lot of hard work, they try and make work.  A Tourism Entrepreneur therefore, will have a ‘idea’ which will hopefully work in the tourism industry. 

What does a Tourism Entrepreneur do?

• defining what area of tourism you want your business to be in
• researching the tourism industry and tourism trends
• writing a business plan
• planning a working schedule
• liaising with bank manager for a loan
• hiring and firing the right people
• working long hours to make sure your business takes off
• marketing your business
• networking with people in the industry that will benefit your business

Are you … ?

• interested in the tourism market?
• driven?
• committed?
• competitive?
• a risk-taker?
• innovative?
• enthusiastic?
• a person who takes control of their own destiny?
• able to deal with stress?

How do I become a Tourism Entrepreneur?

Obviously, besides being a risk taker, one needs some form of business training to help you with your business plan.

Some basic accounting and business subjects would be advantageous or highly recommended. A certificate or diploma in Business would also be extremely beneficial.

If you are taking the economic risk, you really need to be skilled with the right experience and qualifications, otherwise you may lose a lot of money in the process.

Here are some institutions that offer relevant courses:

• CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY: (CPUT)

Offers a 3 year National Diploma in Entrepreneurship as well as a BTech course.

Minimum requirements: English, Mathematics or Maths Literacy, Economics and/or Accounting

• VARSITY COLLEGE

Offers a Diploma in Business Management & Entrepreneurship

Extra information:

If you want to start a tourism business, you may attend a FREE 1-day Beginner’s Session with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. 

For further info contact: 
Phone:  021 483 0132
E-mail: clcuba@pgwc.gov.za
or visit the website:  www.capegateway.gov.za/toursim_business

Contact your local Tourism Helpdesk in your region:

• CAPE TOWN 

Catherine Colling:  021 487 6800, catherinec@tourismcapetown.co.za

• CAPE WINELANDS/CENTRAL KAROO

Marian Mercuur: Tel 082 493 8161, blackstove@mweb.co.za

• EDEN

Quinton James:  082 552 3372, sqtours@mweb.co.za

• OVERBERG

Joseph Tala:  028 572 1251, joe@tourism.com

• WEST COAST

022 487 2989, swartland@cornergate.com

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Food and Beverage Manager or Adventure Gour Guide

Is becoming a Tourism Entrepreneur the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.