Alumnus: Ammaara Sulaiman

Ammaara Sulaiman is a rising culinary star.

Five years ago, Sulaiman, from Greenwood Park, Durban, was at home during the Covid lockdown, wondering what her next move in life would be. Her passion for food, sparked by childhood memories of home-cooked meals and countless cooking shows, led her to take a bold step and in July 2021 she enrolled at the Durban campus for the Advanced Professional Chef programme.

Her first year gave her the confidence and skills to survive the intense pace of kitchen life and after only one year she secured a Work Integrated Learning placement at the prestigious Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga. Her culinary talent and work ethic didn’t go unnoticed and, in the second year, she returned for additional experience in the hotel’s pastry department.

In 2023, alongside fellow student Lalana Pillay, Ammaara competed in the RCL Young Chefs and Bakers Challenge, placing second nationally with a beautifully crafted three-course meal, including a whimsical "pot plant" dessert that wowed judges.

Now working as a Commis Chef in The Grill Room, she dreams of opening her own café-flower shop - a peaceful haven where people can enjoy both the beauty of blossoms as well as a plate of her delicious food.