Some of the best value meals in town may be right under our noses – at leading cookery schools. Dine at one of these chef school restaurants and enjoy first hand a taste of things to come.

What? Sage
Where? Christina Martin School of Food and Wine, 124 Jan Hofmeyr Road, Westville, Durban.
What’s cooking: Sage’s seasonal menu, which changes every five to six weeks, is classically French combined with Thai, Australasian and local influences. Decadent starters include oxtail tortellini with a warm chicken liver parfait, sweet port reduction and smoked butter, and popular mains include roast duck.
How much?  A la carte lunch: starters from R40, mains from R40, desserts from R30
A la carte dinner: starters from R38, mains from R80, desserts from R38, breakfasts from R32
Call and book: 031 266 3201, 031 2674700
– Visit www.christinamartin.co.za.

What? The Cape Town Hotel School Restaurant
Where? Beach Road, Mouille Point, Cape Town
What’s cooking:  The Hotel School Restaurant boasts a whopping six menus, which change every four to six months. Expect starters like oriental sweet corn and ginger soup with salmon, and hearty mains such as traditional Cape Malay curry.
How much?  Sunday buffet: R110
  A la carte: starters from R30, mains from R50, desserts from R30.
  Set menu: starters from R34, mains from R50, desserts from R25.
Call and book: 021 440 5736
• Visit www.cput.ac.za/cthsrestaurant.

What? The Prue Leith Restaurant
Where? 262 Rhino Street, Hennopspark, Centurion
What’s cooking: Classic, seasonal fare with influences ranging from Asia to the Middle East abounds at this restaurant, featuring a menu that changes every two months. For starters expect adventurous offerings like wild mushroom and sweet potato salad, and for mains prepare for showstoppers like tilapia (fish) poached in lemongrass and coconut milk served with curried leeks, lemon vodka beurre blanc and yam amulets.
How much? Starters from R38, mains from R80, desserts from R38.
Call and book: 012 660 3260
• Visit www.prueleith.co.za.

What? Apprentice
Where? Institute of Culinary Arts at Spier,
Spier Home Farms, Annandale Road, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch
What’s cooking: Apprentice offers two menus that change every two months. The day menu features a legendary early-bird breakfast special and light lunches that include warm new potato, chorizo and avocado salad. In the evening offerings go up a notch so expect prawn ravioli starter and much more.
How much?  Day menu: breakfasts from R19, lunch from R32, desserts from R27.
 Evening menu: starters from R38, mains from R48, desserts R35.Call and book: 021 881 3443
• Visit www.icachef.co.za.

– Annette Klinger