Take the First Step Toward Culinary Mastery at Our Chef School
Not everyone wakes up one day and decides to head off to chef school. Sometimes, it starts with a single dish. A perfectly whipped meringue. A rich, homemade stock. An oddly satisfying obsession with knife skills. That’s exactly why our short courses exist. Because at the Chefs Training and Innovation Academy (CTIA), South Africa’s favourite chef school, we know great culinary careers often begin with a single bite of inspiration.
So, if you’re testing the waters before diving into full-time chefs’ courses or just want to impress your friends at your next dinner party, our “How To” series is your ultimate go-to. This is where you can hone your skills and get taught by real industry pros.
At CTIA, Not All Chefs Wear Toques… Yet
Our short courses are hosted by qualified chefs at our national cooking school campuses, and they’re designed with serious fun and future potential in mind. These classes teach recipes, technique, and confidence.
They’re also perfect for working professionals, students in gap-year limbo, or anyone ready to level up their kitchen game. The best part? No previous experience or full-time commitment required – just curiosity and the willingness to get flour on your hands, face, and everywhere else.
The “How To” Baking Series
Dreaming of launching your own cake biz or joining the home bakery boom? The “How To” Baking Series covers everything from choux pastry to show-stopping macarons and artisan breads so satisfying they basically sell themselves.
Career moments waiting to happen: Boutique baker. Cake artist. Pop-up pâtissier. Instagram dessert king or queen.
The “How To” Cooking Series
Think of this as your fast-track to flavour mastery. Knife skills, glaze-perfect sauces, handmade pasta, seafood classics, meaty masterpieces – you name it. By the end of week nine, you’ll have slayed everything from beef wellington to a creamy duck liver pâté.
Career moments waiting to happen: Private chef gigs. Pop-up restaurant dreams. Or, just never ordering in again.
The “How To” Cooking & Baking Combined Series
For those who crave the sweet and savoury full spectrum, the “How To” Combined Series is your pick. One week it’s rainbow sushi and tamarind balls, the next it’s camembert brioche and deconstructed dessert. Add in a little high tea and charcuterie, and suddenly “just for fun” starts to look a whole lot like “this could be my job”.
Career moments waiting to happen: Event catering. Gourmet content creation. Hosting lavish art-on-plate dinner parties. Or straight into a chef school full-time diploma when the bug officially bites.
Every Chef Starts Somewhere
So, if you’re looking for a chef school that supports your first steps (without demanding your whole calendar), this is it. Ditch the guesswork. Pick up the spatula.
Enrol in a CTIA short course and start your culinary story at South Africa’s favourite chef school.