Students hard at work. Photo supplied

The Private Hotel School in Stellenbosch has recently launched a new countrywide school chefs’ competition for budding young foodies in grades 11 and 12. Teaming up with the !NABA Food & Wine Festival, taking place from 5 and 6 August in Upington, Northern Cape, the cook-off will see six finalists gunning for the main prize and a chance to launch their career in the hospitality industry.

The winning young chef will receive an all-inclusive bursary for the Higher Certificate in Hospitality Management at The Private Hotel School worth R84 900, and their supporting educator will receive a bursary for the Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Education to the value of R60 000. Susina Jooste, director of The Private Hotel School explains that for those wanting to compete, “enthusiasm, attention to detail and the ability to prepare a delicious meal with seasonal, local ingredients” are non-negotiable.

The aim of the competition is to create awareness around the variety of exciting careers within the hospitality industry. Susina says, “Future careers could include working as food writers, managing their own wine training businesses, generating an income at speciality food markets or as pastry chefs, or operating coffee shops or guest houses, to name but a few. We’d like to inspire learners to explore these opportunities and to channel their passion for food into a viable career with international possibilities.”

The Private Hotel School is registered as a private higher education institution and all programmes are registered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. It is the only South African institution offering an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Education.

Only one learner per school will be allowed to enter. The first round of judging will be handled by the staff of The Private Hotel School.

The competition closes on 29 April 2016, with the finalists being announced on 27 May. The final cook-off will take place on 4 to 6 August. Online entries are available here.