What Chefs Training and Innovation Academy Cooking School Offers

Industry placements

Give yourself a competitive edge with a cooking school that offers real-world experience. During one of our 6-month training semesters you can expect to spend around 70% of your time on campus and 30% at one of our approved industry partners, where you’ll undergo practical, on-the-job coaching.

This mentorship programme is the ideal opportunity to hone the skills that you’ve been taught throughout the semester, within a realistic work environment. This practical training quickly grows your confidence in the kitchen, ensuring that when it’s time to enter the industry, you’ll be ready!

Part-time study

Limited time but infinite passion? We offer some of our catering courses on a part-time basis to open up these opportunities to students who can’t commit to a full-time programme. Part-time programmes mainly consist of one practical class per week for the duration of the course. Workshops, exams and outings are occasionally scheduled and can only be done during CTIA’s office hours, from 08h00 to 17h00.

Eight reasons to study at CTIA

In a very short time, we’ve managed to distinguish ourselves as an academy of excellence, where students are transformed into industry-ready chefs. Our top-quality cooking courses offer international qualifications from a reputable and globally-recognised organisation; the City & Guilds of London.

1. Academic proficiency

We believe in preparing our students for the job market in every way possible. It’s why we’ve crafted our catering courses to have the perfect balance of top-quality teaching and industry-specific training. We’ve worked hard to create fresh, pioneering course material that places our students at the forefront of modern South African and international culinary training.

2. Sustainability

Prepared for today, equipped for the future. With a strong focus on conscious cooking, our green environment prepares trainees for a more sustainable industry that values fair trade and minimal wastage. At our cooking school, we nurture an innovative approach to the hospitality industry that stands our students in good stead, not only for today but for the industry of tomorrow too. Plus, being innovative helps you to cook around everyday problems, such as load-shedding!

3. Industry-ready professionals

Practical learning for job-ready graduates. Together with our industry partners, we place our students in practical roles where they have the opportunity to gain invaluable experience through excellent mentorship. This industry experience not only leads to improved skill and confidence, but also puts our students ahead of the pack when it comes to applying for hospitality positions. We understand that to be a great chef, attitude and values are just as important as skills and knowledge. It’s why we focus on developing and evaluating our students across all these key areas, while emphasising important career advancing skills such as writing résumés, interview techniques and communication skills.

4. Value for money

We respect our students and their budgets. With competitive fees and highly qualified trainers with vast industry experience, we undertake to give you the absolute best value for your money.

5. Developing potential

We understand that every student is unique. It’s why we take the time to nurture each individual, ensuring that every learner is reaching their full potential. Our lecturers play an important role in advising and helping students as they adjust to the training environment and progress as aspiring chefs.

6. Mentorship and support

A firm support acts as the perfect springboard. Our in-depth culinary programmes aim to equip students with an invaluable foundation upon which to launch a lifelong career. With the twin pillars of academic excellence and real-world experience, we strive to produce graduates who are both knowledgeable and confident in the kitchen, ensuring they have all the tools they need to make entering the job market a breeze. Our experienced staff help guide each student towards an industry placement that best suits them and their skillsets, as these practical environments offer the perfect opportunity to showcase potential, often leading to permanent employment after graduation. Beyond this, we try our very best to match students with relevant job opportunities, connecting them with reputable recruitment agencies that offer opportunities locally, internationally, and even on cruise liners.

7. Time is precious

We offer part-time options for students with limited availability, as well as a variety of short courses and master-class workshops for the home cook and culinary enthusiast. These courses are aimed at both beginner and untrained cooks who are looking for a structured knowledge framework. The short courses aim to teach you everything you need to know, without the complexities and demands of full-time studying.

8. Obtain a degree

A first-of-its-kind partnership between CTIA and the BHMS has opened a world of new prospects for students. Our Advanced Management Diploma (24 months) graduates are now able to further their studies and obtain a Bachelor Degree in Culinary Arts from the BHMS.

Further Studies

Want to expand your knowledge or obtain a degree in culinary arts? Our programmes are the perfect stepping stone to furthering your studies and unlocking exciting global opportunities within the hospitality industry.

BHMS

Our newly-developed partnership with the Business Hospitality Management School (BHMS) allows graduates of our two-year International Advanced Management Diploma to further their studies by completing a third and final year, which will gain them a Bachelor Degree in Culinary Arts.

The additional year is focused on taking you to the next level, by honing your practical leadership and business skills. Course highlights include inter-disciplinary management of food service operations, customer service, resource planning and management. You’ll also have the opportunity to expand your knowledge and expertise in exciting areas such as new product development, molecular cuisine, technology applications and managing teams in the kitchen labs, followed by your final industry training and job placement.

The BHMS is based in Lucerne, a truly international tourist destination and the most visited city in Switzerland. The campus is set on the shores of Lake Lucerne, in the centre of Switzerland, and at the scenic heart of the Swiss Alps with its famous Pilates Mountain. Voted the region with the best quality of life in 2014, Lucerne offers an idyllic place to complete your culinary degree. Plus, it’s easy access via air, road and rail make it the perfect base from which to explore other major European destinations such as Milan, Frankfurt, Paris or Vienna.

NH Hotel Group

Working abroad in The Netherlands is a very exciting opportunity to gain culinary experience in a completely different environment. Besides a great challenge, there is more!

You will gain international exposure
You can make use of the employee rate to stay in our hotels and to make use of the F&B in the NH Hotels worldwide!
You will have the chance to gain exposure to European food trends and culture.
Competitive salary ( based on the position within the hotel )
Unlimited growth within the NH group ; with more than 400 hotels worldwide, there are a lot of possibilities!

NH Hotel Group is listed in Spain and has almost 400 hotels in 30 countries all over Europe, Africa and North and South America. Worldwide more than 20,000 employees are ready day and night to deliver the best service at the best price for our 16 million guests per year.

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What we offer