Capsicum; The Standard in Cheffing

… “Ding!” goes the oven, and a masterpiece comes together. You may think we are talking about a sumptuous roast that you prepared, but no, we are talking about the process of completing a qualification at Capsicum Culinary Studio.

A qualification in culinary arts can lead to extraordinary opportunities. From running a farm-to-table restaurant with wholesome, locally sourced ingredients to cooking nutritious and impactful meals for athletes, there are plenty of rewarding careers to explore.

 A culinary arts qualification also teaches you how to run a kitchen, basic and advanced baking, and cooking techniques, and how to create innovative dishes. A qualification in the culinary arts will not only enhance your career but will also give you the knowledge and skills to be fully confident in your culinary journey outside of school.

Combining art and food to create visually striking dishes is a true skill that takes time and dedication. Through chef courses, Capsicum teaches students how to create delicious appetisers and desserts that look like artistic masterpieces. As students learn the importance of preparation, they pay more attention to creativity and develop a new appreciation of food as an art form.

We subconsciously judge whether the food is delicious or not just by observing the food in front of us. Portion size, colour, and texture are all factors you pay immediate attention to before you take your first bite. Our eyes guide our stomachs, so chefs need to focus on presentation.

Chef 101

If you are the kind of person who enjoys creating masterpieces in the comfort of your home, the Chef 101 Short Course is the perfect course for you. Developed in partnership with the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the world's leading culinary college, the ProChef® curriculum builds on decades of culinary education experience.

 ProChef®, the first of two comprehensive learning paths, focuses on all the foundations professional chefs need to establish their skills and build a successful culinary career. You will have 1-year access to the course from the instant of purchase and you will gain skills including, but not limited to food safety in the home, principles of food storage and infection prevention.

Capsicum Culinary Studio is not just about cooking, founded in 2003, we are unrivaled in South Africa. Whether you are a chef, baker, pastry chef, caterer, or head chef, as a Capsicum Culinary Studio graduate, you can expect many exciting career opportunities both nationally and internationally.

Experience in a kitchen helps, but you may only have one or two opportunities to gain experience from a chef with a particular cooking style. This is why Capsicum offers students the advantage of learning from highly qualified culinary minds. Our students are also introduced to different cooking styles, recipes, ingredients, and flavours to help develop them into more versatile cooks. Each cooking instructor offers their unique style of cuisine, and this is one of the reasons why a Capsicum Culinary Studio qualification is so exciting. The years of experience and training each instructor has gone through are passed on to our students, providing valuable knowledge for making them more successful.

Promote Healthy Eating

Capsicum’s courses ensure that students understand the concepts of baking and confectionery, basic cooking techniques and the nutritional value of prepared meals. We also focus on trends and teach our students to capitalise and adapt to the changes, trends such as the healthy/clean eating fad that has taken the world by storm. Healthy eating is becoming increasingly important in the food industry, especially for chefs who own or operate farm-to-table restaurants. Chefs must accommodate dietary restrictions such as gluten allergies and lactose intolerance and should be able to offer vegan and vegetarian options.

Through our Plant-Forward Kitchen Course, students learn which foods are high in cholesterol, high in sugar or salt, or high in saturated fat, which is important when developing a nutritional menu. The Plant-Forward Kitchen course not only gives you the basic skills you need in any kitchen but also shows you how to use those skills responsibly and sustainably. From culinary science to nutritional theory, cooking methods to ingredient knowledge, this learning path provides a solid, practical foundation in plant-based cooking techniques.

You may be asking if there is more. Well...

Our course offerings go beyond just online or Short Courses, we offer industry-preferred courses to give you the platform to catapult to international chef acclaim with the support of a large community of partners.

Capsicum is proud to be a steppingstone for graduates. If required, we will assist you in furthering your education and completing your bachelor's degree abroad through the Swiss Education Group (SEG).

Work in a team and develop communication skills

Culinary school is all about collaboration and communication. We know that student have diverse backgrounds, strengths and weaknesses, and cooking techniques. Culinary students should be patient, communicate clearly and effectively, and maintain consistent communication to avoid unnecessary confusion. Communication is the key to success in the kitchen and other professional environments. Learning to collaborate with others in the kitchen not only prepares students for culinary careers but also teaches collaboration in other settings.

A commitment to excellence and world-class education is essential for learners who aspire to high-level positions in a highly competitive industry. Our goal is to equip each student with culinary skills that will enrich their life and provide the foundation on which to build a career to industry leadership. Our purpose-built training facilities provide a creative and challenging learning environment. As culinary educators, we believe that enthusiastic learners learn best.

Why choose Capsicum Culinary Studio?

Capsicum is registered with several industry associations, including City & Guilds, a global leader in skills development. Education and Training Institute for Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport (CATHSSETA) and Quality Council for Trade and Profession (QCTO).

Capsicum Culinary Studio takes an experiential approach to provide access to state-of-the-art labs where you will learn advanced cooking techniques, baking and pastry concepts, outstanding recipes and more.

We know you are salivating at this point, and we would not dare leave you wanting. Start your journey of endless possibilities by enquiring with Capsicum today.