Through excellence in communication, innovation and the understanding of the current global food trends we will produce graduates of the highest standard. They will reflect the ethos of the school, in that they will be professional, hard working, creative and flexible. Above all they will have a passion for the industry.
Our graduates are ambassadors for our training and the industry.
Welcome to The Culinary Academy. South Africa’s leading academy for culinary excellence!
Situated on the picturesque Backsberg Wine Estate - halfway between Paarl and Franschhoek - The Culinary Academy offers students a unique opportunity to learn all there is to learn about good food, fine wine and efficient hospitality management.
Our state-of-the-art facilities and lecturers are simply outstanding and our courses and curriculum will offer you the best education money can buy anywhere in the world.
For more than 12 years The Culinary Academy has been setting the standard for culinary excellence. Never have we felt the need to copy nor imitate other schools. The Culinary Academy has set the pace and will continue to do so. We have build our solid reputation on honesty, hard work, passion, knowledge and skill.
The Culinary Academy is respected globally for producing graduates who are skilled in cooking and baking. We produce graduates who have practical experience in all of the different facets of the food industry. From planting and growing their own vegetables, to cost control, menu planning, developing restaurant concepts and product development mixed with proven leadership skills and efficiency.
Our graduates have found employment in the finest kitchens and hotels in the world. From New York to London, Shanghai to Paris.
Most importantly, The Culinary Academy helped getting them there. We back our courses with an international employment guarantee! No strings attached!
Our graduates reflect the ethos of the academy, in that they are professional, hard working, creative and flexible. Above all they have a passion for the industry.
We offer you a unique training experience in the heart of the winelands. The Culinary Academy also just happens to be right here in the food capital of the southern hemisphere.
Whether you are looking for the big city lights or want to enjoy living and learning in the winelands, our location couldn’t be better. The Culinary Academy is situated just 35 minutes from Cape Town, 10 minutes from Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek and lets not forget the happening village of Wellington.
Our location, beautiful facilities and passionate team makes it real for our students. We offer the best training facilities which includes the largest training kitchen in South Africa, with individual workstations, the TCA Food Theatre, air conditioned lecture rooms, a dedicated research library and computer room, a recreational student lounge, an outside patio area, an interactive dining room, beautiful gardens and TCA House, all with breathtaking views of the winelands and surrounding mountains.
We also offer our students exclusive access to some of the regions top wine tasting rooms, local wine cellars, local cheese makers, chocolatiers as well as olive farms.
Living and studying on one of the world’s leading wine estates, stimulates and enhances the creativity and practical instruction that The Culinary Academy is renowned for.
The unique partnership between The Culinary Academy and Backsberg offers our students the chance to study in a modern, yet heart of the country environment where safe and secure accommodation is also offered and where the distractions of city life are few.
TCA students not only study on the Estate, but are also actively involved in harvesting, tasting and understanding the wine making process, and planting and watching their own vegetables grow. Knowing that their dishes contain the freshest produce and are made in the healthiest environment. Backsberg has after all recently become the first wine producer in South Africa, and one of only three in the world, to gain Carbon Neutral status by sequestrating its carbon emissions.
As an added bonus, our students are able to step out of the classroom to help with the wine harvest and the making of their own wine. Or pick vegetables fresh from the ground to produce the freshest meals. The Culinary Academy offers you everything that a good cook needs - right on our doorstep!
